Session Recap:
How have you been applying what you've learned and your action plan(s)?
- If you haven't, what has hindered you?
- How do we overcome it this week?
Ask:
What is sin? What have you learned about sin since becoming a believer?
Teaching Time:
During this teaching time, it’s extremely important to dive into the depth of sin. Sin is more than bad things that we do. Sin is much deeper than that. Sin is a condition, a problem that we inherit. Apart from Christ, sin is who we are. There are no amount of good works, no amount of sacrifice in our life that could cover up our sin. Sin is what points us to the fact that we need something outside of ourselves to save us. Here’s one of my favorite quotes and one of the reasons a proper understanding of sin is so important:
“Until sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet” -Thomas Watson.
Until we understand the depth our sin, we can’t fully understand how much we need Christ. We have to see that our sin hurts the heart of God. When we have a lustful thought, when we lie, cheat, get angry, etc. we are acting in disobedience to God. Without Christ we will be judged for those sins. Praise God for the saving work of Christ in defeating sin.
Application:
Read Romans 3:23
- What does it mean that we have all sinned & fallen short of the glory of God?
Read 1 John 1:8
- Why is it important to understand that we all struggle with sin?
Read John 8:34
- What does it mean that we are slaves to sin?
Read 2 Peter 1:3
- How does the Holy Spirit give us the ability to say no to sin?
Read Romans 7:14-25
- How can you relate with Paul’s words here?
Read Romans 6:1-14
- What does this passage teach us about sin?
Read Galatians 5:16-26
- When we become a Christian, how does our relationship with sin change?
Read Ephesians 4:17-32
- What does this passage teach us about fighting sin?
Read Colossians 3:5-10.
- Why does God want us to put sin to death?
Read Titus 2:11-14
- What is the best way to fight sin in our lives?
Read Hebrews 3:12-13
- How does community help us fight sin?
- What is your next step when it comes to fighting sin?
Where do we get it wrong?
- Sin is not a big deal to God.
- It’s okay to use grace as a license to sin.
- Sin can be fought in isolation. I don’t have to talk about it with anyone.
- Certain sins are bigger than others in the eyes of God.
- Sin’s consequences can be managed.
- Sinful behaviors and patterns can be overcome overnight.
- Sinful choices are a person’s identity.
- Sin is always individual and never social.
- Sin means I can’t ever see progress in this life.
Back to Session 3: What is a disciple?