Theme Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Theme: Identity, spiritual growth, renewal, repentance, and becoming the person God has called us to be.
Evening Schedule:
Bible Study — Reinvention
Potluck Dinner & Fellowship
Movie Night — Netflix’s You, Season 1
Post-Movie Conversation & Closing Prayer
The Bible study will stand on its own, with no references to the television show. The movie will be a separate entertainment activity afterward.
PART 1: BIBLE STUDY
Reinvention — Becoming New Without Losing Your Soul
Opening Thought
Throughout the Bible, we see people experience profound changes in their lives. Jacob became Israel. Saul became Paul. Simon became Peter.
But what does it really mean to become a new person?
Sometimes we change our appearance, friendships, relationships, careers, surroundings, or even our names. However, changing our circumstances does not necessarily mean our hearts have changed.
Biblical reinvention is about allowing God to transform us from the inside out. It involves surrender, repentance, renewing our minds, releasing old habits, and embracing the identity God has given us.
Five layers of Scripture
1. Becoming a new creation
Read: 2 Corinthians 5:17
What does it mean to become a new creation in Christ? Explore the difference between our former identity and our spiritual identity.
2. God examines the heart
Read: 1 Samuel 16:7
God does not judge us by outward appearance. He sees our intentions, motives, and character.
3. Renewing the mind
Read: Romans 12:1–2
Transformation requires a change in how we think. A renewed mind produces a different approach to decisions, relationships, and behavior.
4. Releasing the old self
Read: Ephesians 4:22–24
Paul describes putting away the old self and putting on the new self. What does this look like in everyday spiritual life?
5. Becoming who God intended
Read: Philippians 1:6
Spiritual transformation is ongoing. God continues working in us as we grow in faith.
20 Bible Study Discussion Questions
Identity and transformation
1. What does Paul mean by becoming a new creation in 2 Corinthians 5:17? Examine the surrounding verses for deeper meaning.
2. Why did God change Jacob’s name to Israel in Genesis 32:24–30? What does his encounter reveal about spiritual transformation?
3. In John 3:1–8, Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born again. What is the deeper spiritual meaning of being born again?
4. What does Ephesians 4:22–24 teach us about putting away our former identity?
The condition of the heart
5. In 1 Samuel 16:1–13, why did God choose David? What does this passage reveal about God’s standards compared with human judgment?
6. What does Jeremiah 17:9–10 reveal about the heart, and why does God examine our innermost thoughts?
7. In Matthew 23:25–28, why does Jesus use the illustration of a clean cup and a whitewashed tomb? What deeper spiritual lesson is He communicating?
8. Why is Psalm 139:23–24 such a powerful prayer for someone seeking transformation?
Renewal and repentance
9. In Romans 12:1–2, why does Paul connect renewing the mind with presenting ourselves as living sacrifices?
10. What is the difference between changing our behavior temporarily and experiencing genuine transformation according to Colossians 3:1–10?
11. In Acts 9:1–22, what made Saul’s transformation so significant?
12. In Psalm 51:1–12, what does David mean when he asks God to create a clean heart within him?
Accountability and spiritual growth
13. What does Galatians 6:7–9 teach us about the spiritual consequences of our actions?
14. According to Proverbs 28:13, why must confession be accompanied by forsaking sin?
15. In Genesis 3:7–13, what do Adam and Eve’s attempts to hide reveal about shame and accountability?
16. What does Jesus mean when He tells the woman in John 8:1–11 to go and sin no more?
Walking in a new identity
17. In Philippians 3:7–14, what does Paul teach us about letting go of the past to pursue God’s purpose?
18. In Luke 15:11–32, what is the significance of the prodigal son’s robe, ring, and celebration?
19. In Colossians 3:12–17, why does Paul describe spiritual qualities such as compassion, kindness, humility, and forgiveness as things we must put on?
20. According to 2 Corinthians 3:17–18, why is becoming more like Christ a continual process?
Mandatory Written Reflection
Required activity
One paragraph of notes must be taken by every participant.
Write one paragraph answering:
What does it mean to reinvent yourself spiritually through Christ rather than simply changing your outward circumstances?
Include:
At least two Scriptures from the study.
The deeper meaning of those Scriptures.
One area in your own life where you desire spiritual growth.
One action you can take to demonstrate genuine transformation.
Closing Bible Study Thought
“You cannot become everything God has called you to be while continuously holding on to everything He is asking you to release.”
PART 2: POTLUCK DINNER & FELLOWSHIP
Theme: Breaking Bread and Building Fellowship
After the Bible study, everyone will gather for dinner. Participants can either prepare something at home or purchase takeout. No one should feel pressured to cook.
Potluck menu ideas
Here are some options to make it easy to coordinate the meal.
1. Main dishes
Homemade options
Baked chicken
Lasagna
Spaghetti
BBQ ribs
Fried chicken
Baked macaroni and cheese
Takeout options
Costco rotisserie chickens
Popeyes chicken
Raising Cane’s chicken fingers
Restaurant pasta trays
BBQ family meals
Chinese food party trays
2. Side dishes
Homemade
Collard greens
Potato salad
Deviled eggs
Cornbread
Green beans
Rice pilaf
Store-bought
Garden salad
Caesar salad
Dinner rolls
Fruit trays
Vegetable trays
Prepared potato salad
3. Appetizers and finger foods
Chicken wings
Meatballs
Cheese and cracker platter
Spinach dip
Chips and salsa
Vegetable platter
Shrimp cocktail
4. Desserts
Peach cobbler
Banana pudding
Sweet potato pie
Brownies
Cupcakes
Cheesecake
Cookies
Fruit salad
5. Drinks
Lemonade
Sweet tea
Bottled water
Fruit punch
Iced tea
Sparkling water
Potluck participation instructions
Each guest can choose to:
Make a homemade dish.
Purchase a prepared dish.
Order restaurant takeout.
Bring drinks, ice, paper plates, napkins, or utensils.
Please bring enough to share. Label dishes containing common allergens and keep hot foods hot and cold foods refrigerated until serving.
Suggested potluck arrangement: Have guests bring a combination of main dishes, sides, appetizers, desserts, and drinks so the meal is balanced.
Fellowship Scripture: Acts 2:46–47.
PART 3: MOVIE NIGHT
Netflix: You — Season 1
Viewing Activity: Watch Season 1 of You.
Season 1 consists of 10 episodes and follows Joe Goldberg, a bookstore manager whose attraction to Guinevere Beck develops into stalking, obsession, manipulation, and violence.
Movie-night instructions:
Gather together after dinner.
Settle in with snacks, desserts, and drinks.
Watch Season 1 in its entirety, if time allows.
Pay attention to the characters, plot developments, and recurring behaviors.
Enjoy the show as entertainment, not as a Bible study exercise.
Content advisory: The series contains mature sexual content, stalking, violence, murder, strong language, and disturbing situations. It is intended for mature audiences.
PART 4: AFTER THE SHOW — OPEN DISCUSSION
After the viewing, allow everyone to share their reactions to the series.
These are entertainment and character-analysis questions, not Bible study questions.
10 discussion questions about Season 1
1. What was your first impression of Joe Goldberg, and did your opinion of him change as the season progressed?
2. Why do you think Joe believes he is a good person despite his actions?
3. How does Joe use his internal narration to justify his behavior?
4. Do you think Joe genuinely understands the difference between love and obsession? Why or why not?
5. How does Beck’s perception of Joe differ from the person viewers come to know?
6. Which character surprised you the most, and why?
7. What role do secrets and deception play in the relationships throughout Season 1?
8. Which scene or episode made you question a character’s intentions the most?
9. How does the season explore the difference between someone’s public image and their private behavior?
10. What do you think the ending reveals about Joe, and what do you anticipate will happen next?
PART 5: CLOSING THE EVENING
Closing Scripture: Philippians 1:6
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Close with a prayer of gratitude for fellowship, meaningful conversation, and the opportunity to grow spiritually.
Final takeaway:
“Reinvention is not about creating a new image for the world to admire. It is about allowing God to create a new heart within you.”
Evening goal: Leave with a deeper understanding of Scripture, meaningful fellowship, and a renewed commitment to becoming who God has called you to be.