At the start of every year we lean in and learn together, right across New Zealand, with a theme for our year. 2025 is a year of BRAND NEW beginnings at Equippers! We’re believing for fresh opportunities, bold steps into new territory, and the fullness of new life in Christ.
Every day is a fresh start when we live with Jesus. He has made us brand new, but He also has new things for us to take hold of!
“Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for.” (1 Peter 1:3)
Together, let’s embrace everything God is making brand new this year.
To get the most out of this study, can we encourage you to get involved in an eGroup this month, dive into the daily readings on the Equippers App, attend church each Sunday to hear the Word preached, and pray fervently for a significant year for us all - individually and collectively – as we live BRAND NEW.
We are praying for you.
Blessings,
Ps Sam and Kathy Monk
Brand New
CONNECT
Spend time connecting with each other.
KEY THOUGHT
In Session One of Brand New, we explore 1 Peter 1:3-4, highlighting how Jesus is the means by which we are made new. Transformation isn’t something we achieve ourselves — it is the work of Christ through the cross and because of God’s great mercy. This study will challenge us to consider our view of God, our personal need for mercy, how this truth has changed us, and where we can embrace hope.
KEY SCRIPTURE
1 Peter 1:3-4 (MSG)
"What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven — and the future starts now!"
QUESTIONS
Q: What is your view of God? (example: is He is an angry God or a merciful God?)
Q: What do you understand about God’s mercy?
Look up these scriptures together:
- Ephesians 2:4-5
- Titus 3:5
- Romans 9:15-16
- Micah 7:18-19
Q: How have you allowed that truth (His mercy) to transform you?
Q: What do you need mercy for? Do you think you need mercy? And do you feel worthy of it?
Q: What are some things that you had a renewed hope in once you became brand new? Where have you felt you can hope again and believe that things could come back to life?
PRACTICAL
Share with another member of your eGroup an area where you felt challenged from today’s topic, and make a commitment to encourage each other this week as you decide to make a change in that area.
PRAY
We will finish by praying for these 3 things:
- A Fresh Revelation of God’s Mercy – Pray that each person would have a deeper understanding of God's mercy, seeing Him not as distant or angry but as a loving and compassionate Father who delights in showing mercy.
- Transformation Through His Mercy – Ask God to help each person fully receive His mercy and allow it to change them from the inside out — letting go of shame, striving, or self-reliance and embracing the truth that they are made new through Christ.
- Renewed Hope for the Future – Pray for hope to rise in every heart, that where there has been discouragement or doubt, God would restore faith, dreams, and a sense of purpose as they walk in the reality of being brand new in Him.
CONNECT
Spend time connecting with each other.
KEY THOUGHT
Paul’s life is a powerful example of what it means to live out this Brand New life. His encounter with Jesus didn’t just renew him — it transformed everything. His relationships changed, his purpose shifted, and his mission became extending the church. In the same way, the transformation in us isn’t just for us. We are made brand new for something brand new. Now that we are saved, we see differently. Our motives shift, our hearts change, and we become burdened for the needs around us.
KEY SCRIPTURE
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
QUESTIONS
Q: What have you been thinking or learning about over the last week in terms of BRAND NEW?
Q: In what ways do you see the difference between being renewed and being transformed?
Q: Paul’s transformation changed his relationships and his mission. How has following Jesus changed the way you relate to others?
Q: What does it mean to have a new heart toward the world around you? How does that shape your actions?
Q: Do you know the mission that God has called you to? What do you believe God has created you for? How does that shape the way you live?
Q: In what ways can we avoid becoming familiar or complacent in our faith?
PRACTICAL
Share with another member of your eGroup an area where you felt challenged from today’s topic, and make a commitment to encourage each other this week as you decide to make a change in that area.
PRAY
- Pray to be fully transformed — seeing life, purpose, and mission through God’s perspective.
- Pray for fresh vision and a burden for the needs around you.
- Pray that your Brand New life would not just impact you but also bring change to others.
- Ask God for the courage to step into your unique calling and make a difference where He has placed you.
CONNECT
Spend time connecting with each other.
KEY THOUGHT
As we look at Paul’s life, we see that his transformation wasn’t just between him and God—it overflowed into his relationships with others. God brought people around Paul to shape, encourage, and strengthen him, and He also sent Paul on mission to serve others and share the Gospel. As we live Brand New, we realise we too have new people in our lives: people to shape us, people to serve, and people to reach.
KEY SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)
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.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Q: What have you been thinking or learning about over the last week in terms of BRAND NEW?
Q: In what ways have people in your life shaped your spiritual growth? Share an example of a friend or mentor that has meant a lot to you.
Q: The early church found it hard to gather for fear of persecution, but we all have barriers to relationship.
What fears might stop us connecting with others?
Q: Kathy shared an example of serving being countercultural.
Is this something you’ve noticed too?
How might you notice if you’ve been more shaped by society in this area?
Q: Scott shared the Mother Teresa quote: “Do little things with great love. If you can't do them with great love, do them with a little love. If you can't do them with a little love, do them anyway. Love grows when people serve.”
How does this quote make you feel about serving others?
Q: Rick Warren says “If you don’t like getting along with other people, you’re not gonna like Heaven. ‘Cause they’re not all gonna look like you and be like you, sound like you, or smell like you.”
How do you find the call to reach all people? Does it make you uncomfortable?
Q: We need people to shape us, people we can serve and people to reach. Choose one of these that you feel God is highlighting for you at the moment and discuss.
PRACTICAL
Share with another member of your eGroup an area where you felt challenged from today’s topic, and make a commitment to encourage each other this week as you decide to make a change in that area.
PRAY
- Pray that God would continue to shape you, using people in community.
- Pray that you would see fresh opportunities to serve others.
- Pray for those who might be close to you but far from God. That God would give you the heart, courage and opportunity to reach out this week.
CONNECT
Spend time connecting with each other.
KEY THOUGHT
A brand-new life in Christ starts with a transformed mind. Our thoughts shape our actions, and when we allow God's truth to renew our thinking, we step into the fullness of His plan. Renewal is not a one-time event but a continual process of surrendering our thoughts, perspectives, and beliefs to God. Transformation through the renewal of our minds leads to a life aligned with God's purpose.
KEY SCRIPTURE
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will."
QUESTIONS
- What does it mean to "renew your mind" according to Romans 12:2?
- How have you experienced the power of your thoughts shaping your decisions or emotions?
- Today’s study highlights the importance of replacing lies with truth. What are some common lies we tend to believe, and what is God’s truth that counters them?
- What practical steps can we take daily to renew our minds and align our thoughts with God's truth?
- How does a renewed mind impact the way we interact with others and navigate challenges?
- What are some brand new habits you would like to develop in 2025?
PRACTICAL
Share with another member of your eGroup an area where you felt challenged from today’s topic, and make a commitment to encourage each other this week as you decide to make a change in that area.
PRAY
- Pray for God to reveal any thought patterns that need renewal.
- Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help in replacing lies with His truth.
- Pray for a hunger for God’s Word and the discipline to meditate on it daily.
- Ask for strength to resist worldly influences and align with God’s ways.
- Pray for wisdom to recognise and walk in God's good, pleasing, and perfect will.
