In this Beyond season, we’re asking a bold question: What if God wants to do more, in us, through us, and for us, than we’ve ever dared to imagine?

Key Takeaway

Jesus doesn’t quit until he changes everything.

In Philippians 1:3–11, Paul expresses deep gratitude for the believers and declares his certainty that “God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished.” That promise isn’t about easier circumstances or perfectly executed plans. It’s about spiritual formation.

God wants to reshape our hearts, priorities, and character until we reflect Jesus, and he won’t quit until everything changes. Even when we feel uncertain, he is committed to completing what he started.

Paul prays that the believers’ love would overflow more and more, that they would grow in wisdom and discernment, and that their lives would be filled with the righteous character produced by Jesus. That is what it means to go beyond ourselves.

Spiritual formation happens as Jesus reorders what matters most to us. When this happens our calendars, decisions, and resources begin to reflect his Kingdom instead of our own. We are not just attenders or consumers – we are partners in sharing the good news.

We see a powerful picture of this in Luke 19. When Zacchaeus encounters Jesus, his entire life is reordered. What once defined him no longer ruled him.

That’s what BEYOND is about: going beyond comfort, beyond hesitation, beyond partial faith, and fully surrendering to the ongoing work of Christ in and through us. As we put our faith in Jesus and step into what he’s calling us to next, we can be certain that he will finish what he started.

Pray

Prayer is our time to talk to God. Let this prayer inspire your conversations with God this week.

Father, thank you for the good work you have begun in me. I believe you will continue it. I pray that your love will overflow in me and I will grow in knowledge and understanding of who you are.

Jesus, I surrender my life to you. Search my heart and reorder my priorities to pursue what matters to you first. Help me to let go of anything that has been keeping me from being transformed by you.

God, you are able to accomplish infinitely more than I can imagine. Thank you for inviting us to partner with you in your amazing plans. Help us to step beyond ourselves by trusting in your power and sharing your love and goodness throughout Journey City.

In Jesus’ holy name, amen.

Worship

Bring the worship set from this weekend into your Slot and Spot and praise him for continuing to work in you.

• I Know That I Know by The Belonging Co.
• So Much More by Red Rocks Worship
• Bless God by Brooke Ligertwood

Learn

This week, read through the scripture shared in the message and dive deeper into God’s word.

• Read Philippians 1:3-11
• Read Luke 19:1-10
• Read Remember: God’s Still Working on You
• Watch – Bible Project’s Philippians Overview
• Listen – Philippians 1 from Through the Word

Reflect

Reflect on these questions during your Slot and Spot/discussions with others.

What’s one thing you learned from this message that you want to apply to your life this week?

• What step can you take to do that?

God is committed to growing us spiritually and we can be certain he will not stop until it is finished.

• How does it feel to know that, when you let him in, Jesus won’t quit his work in you until it is finished?
• What good works do you believe God has begun in you? How have they transformed your life?

Read Philippians 1:3-5. Paul expresses gratitude for the partnership he has with other believers in spreading the good news about Jesus.

• Have you ever considered that you are a partner with your pastor and church in spreading God’s love?
• How does seeing yourself that way impact your faith?
• How can you partner with The Journey to support spiritual formation throughout Journey City?

Spiritual Formation happens when we allow Jesus to reorder our priorities to what matters most, just like with Zacchaeus in Luke 19. Money used to rule his life, but when Jesus became his lord, he freely gave his money away.

• If you look at your calendar, finances, or social media profile for the past month, what story would they tell about what matters to you most right now?
• What step is God calling you to take to grow your faith BEYOND today?

Next Steps

God wants to do so much through our church. Your next step is to be a part of it. Join us for Plugged In and find your place and part on our J-team.

Follow along for the next six weeks with the guided Slot and Spot in the BEYOND Guide. This devotional was created to help you build a rhythm of a Slot and Spot, your time and place with God. Each week will connect with that weekend’s message. This week begins on page 26. Learn more about BEYOND and download a digital copy of the BEYOND guide here.