We were never meant to follow Jesus alone.

In this final week of our series Becoming – Living the Way of Jesus with the People of God, Pastor CJ Ward hosts a panel discussion with New Life attenders about the importance of community, connection, and accountability through Circles (our Life Groups).

Scripture References:

• Genesis 2:18 – It’s not good for man to be alone.

• Acts 2:42–47 – The early church devoted themselves to fellowship.

• Hebrews 10:24–25 – Don’t give up meeting together.

• Proverbs 27:17 – Iron sharpens iron.

• James 5:16 – Confess your sins and pray for one another.

In this conversation you’ll hear:

• How isolation is one of the enemy’s biggest tools against spiritual growth.

• Why community is not optional—it’s essential.

• Real stories of how Circles have shaped faith, friendship, and transformation.

• How to find freedom through being fully known and fully loved.

Subscribe for more messages from New Life Gillette Church and find your Circle today at newlifegillette.com/groups.

Have you ever wondered why some aspects of life seem so challenging, even when we're pursuing something meaningful? There's a profound truth that often gets overlooked: everything in life worth doing is hard. This applies not just to our worldly pursuits, but also to our spiritual journey.

As followers of Christ, we sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that because salvation is a free gift, our spiritual growth should come easily. But there's a crucial distinction we need to understand: grace is opposed to earning, but not to effort.

Imagine someone gifting you a house. You have two choices: you could neglect it, allowing it to fall into disrepair, or you could invest time and energy into maintaining and improving it. The house was freely given, but the effort you put in determines how much you benefit from and enjoy that gift. Our spiritual life works in a similar way.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, uses the analogy of an athlete training for a race. He encourages believers to run as if they're competing for a prize – not a temporary accolade, but something of eternal value. This prize isn't salvation itself (which is already secured through Christ), but rather becoming who we were created to be.

It's entirely possible to receive the gift of salvation yet miss out on fully becoming the person God intended. This is where effort comes into play. We don't earn God's love or our place in His kingdom, but we do need to apply ourselves to grow and transform.

So, what does this look like practically? There are five key skills that form the foundation of a disciple's life:

1. Gather Purposefully: It's not just about showing up to church, but coming with intention – to worship, learn, and connect with God's people. We prioritize gathering, even when we don't feel like it, understanding that consistent community shapes us.

2. Connect Deeply: We were created for relationship – with God and others. This often happens through small groups or intentional friendships where we're willing to be vulnerable and ask for help when needed. It's a skill that requires practice and overcoming our natural tendency towards self-sufficiency.

3. Give Generously: The Bible speaks about money more than it does about heaven and hell combined. Why? Because our relationship with money deeply affects our spiritual health. Tithing (giving the first 10% of our income) isn't about earning God's favor, but about freeing our hearts from the grip of materialism and aligning our priorities with God's kingdom.

4. Serve Selflessly: When we serve others, we're not just meeting needs; we're becoming more like Jesus. Every act of service, whether it's in children's ministry or hospitality, shapes our character and aligns us with Christ's example of servanthood.

5. Influence Daily: Making disciples isn't reserved for pastors or missionaries – it's the calling of every believer. This doesn't mean awkward, forced evangelism. Instead, it's about being attuned to the Holy Spirit's work in the lives of those around us and using our influence to point people towards Christ in natural, loving ways.

Developing these skills requires consistent effort, much like an athlete or musician who practices daily to improve their craft. We don't suddenly master these areas; it's a lifelong journey of growth and refinement.

It's important to recognize a common pitfall in this process. Over time, we can start to believe that our efforts mean we've earned our place in God's family. This attitude leads to looking down on others who don't seem to be trying as hard. We must constantly remind ourselves that while effort is crucial for growth, it doesn't negate the fact that our salvation and acceptance are purely gifts from God.

The beauty of this journey is that we're not alone in our efforts. The Holy Spirit meets us in our stri...

• (00:00:00) - Foreign Church Teaching
• (00:00:50) - The Skills of a Disciple
• (00:02:56) - Everything in Life Worth Doing is Hard
• (00:07:59) - Temptation to Think You Deserve a Home
• (00:13:53) - The gift of salvation
• (00:15:02) - 5 Skills of Life on Mission
• (00:15:42) - We Gain Purpose in Church
• (00:20:32) - How to Abound in Life
• (00:20:57) - The Problem With Talking About Money in Church
• (00:26:13) - 3 Things We Serve Selflessly
• (00:31:14) - Take a Step toward Becoming Who You Were Created to Be

What does it really mean to abide in Jesus?

In this week of our series Becoming – Living the Way of Jesus with the People of God, Pastor Mike Wilson unpacks John 15 and shows us that abiding isn’t about trying harder—it’s about staying connected to the true vine, Jesus Christ.

Scripture Highlights:

• John 15:1–5 – Remain in Me and you will bear much fruit.

• Matthew 7:17–20 – A tree is known by its fruit.

• James 4:4 – You cannot serve two masters.

• Galatians 5:22–23 – The fruit of the Spirit.

In this message you’ll learn:

• Why intimacy with Jesus matters more than proximity to church activity.

• How pruning is God’s way of making our fruit healthier.

• Why abiding guarantees fruit—not because we can produce it, but because Christ produces it through us.

Subscribe for more messages from New Life Gillette Church as we continue Becoming who God created us to be.