Mark 8:34-35 New Living Translation
34 Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower , you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.
1 Corinthians 9:24 New Living Translation
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
Hebrews 12:1 New Living Translation
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
2 Timothy 4:7 New Living Translation
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
Philippians 2:16 New Living Translation
16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
Meet with God daily
Joshua 1:8 New Living Translation
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
Psalm 16:11 English Standard Version
11 You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Romans 12:2 New Living Translation
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Matthew 17:2 New Living Translation
2 As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.
2 Corinthians 3:18 New Living Translation
18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
All use the same Greek word: metamorphoō – En. Metamorphosis.
Gather together weekly
Romans 1:11-12 New Living Translation
11 For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. 12 When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
2 John 12 New Living Translation
12 I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete.
Hebrews 10:25 New Living Translation
25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Matthew 18:15-20 New Living Translation
15 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.
19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
Live in Community
1 Thessalonians 2:8 New Living Translation
8 We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.
Hebrews 10:24-25 New Living Translation
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 New Living Translation
14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
Pursue the Mission of Jesus Together
John 17:14-18 New Living Translation
14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do.17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.
John 20:21 New Living Translation
21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”
2 Corinthians 5:20 New Living Translation
20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”