Introduction and Ice Breaker
Share some of the funniest mistakes you have made in life.
Themes to Consider
Renewal repentance
There is always the possibility of restoration/healing and profound joy/intimacy.
Name it
See it
Through grace
Discussion Questions
Robert says: “No one sins without wanting to” - how do you feel about that statement when considering your own sins?
Do you play the blame game Adam and Eve played? Name some things that you blame for your sin? What part does confession play in your prayer life?
Robert says “Assume you will need an external voice.” Do you have someone in your life willing and able to tell you the truth? Do you trust them that they do this in love?
How important do you think it is to repent for the sins of a nation?
Guided Prayer
Silence / Remove distractions as much as you can and spend two minutes (time it, if helpful) in silence, noticing your body, your emotions and thoughts. Perhaps use a simple phrase to pray silently so that you stay focused.
Confession / Today, use Psalm 51 as your prayer of confession.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; 19 then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Supplemental Content
Article: Employees doubt sincerity of corporate statements on BLM
“We cannot “reconstruct” without deep “deconstruction”. — Alan Hirsch
“This is not the fleeting mood of a depressed conscience, but the clear knowledge of a person who, shocked by that knowledge, has become conscious of his or her responsibility . . . and sees things as they really are” — Weiser
Assume you will naturally resist going deep enough. Why? a) Too painful; b) too disorienting: demands radical change. Text: David had to be tricked into seeing his sin. The more powerful and privileged you are, the more prone you may be to not seeing.
Assume you will need an external voice - you’ll need a Nathan, a prophet with the wisdom and relationship to get to you. “All I need is God’s Word.” If you think this, you don't know yourself - how conditioned you are to read it with blinders.
