Lesson One: Discussion Guide for Group or Individual Use (click more)
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for this time you have provided for us to come together to hear from you and have fellowship in your Word and to learn and apply your Word to our hearts. We need you, Lord. We need your grace all the time. We praise you for your goodness and your love and mercy. Please open our hearts to you and to one another and lead our discussion. Help us not to fear, but to put all of our hope in Christ. Help us to remember there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. May you be glorified in all our thoughts and words and deeds. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I. LECTURE
Will someone share how the Lord used the lecture to speak to your heart? Did anyone have any questions or concerns about the lecture? If you ever have a question or something is unclear, please let us know. We want to serve you in any way we can!
II. PLEASE READ THE MAIN POINT FROM THIS WEEK’S HOMEWORK
If we are in Christ, our hearts have been forever changed. We have been given new hearts. We have been rescued and cleansed and have had our sin paid for in full by the blood of Christ! We have been given the power to overcome our sin. We’ve been commanded to join in the work of overcoming our remaining sin, trusting in the power we have been given in the Holy Spirit and the grace and forgiveness we have been given in Christ.
We need to ask God to give us eyes to see our sinful ways so that we are able to get to the root of them and overcome them. We will be asking the Lord to search our hearts and reveal to us what lies deep within. By God’s grace, as we pick up our cross, die to self, and confess and repent of our sins, a powerful, life-changing work will be accomplished in us. Remember, each time you see your sin to look to Jesus, your Savior and your Lord, and hide yourself in Him. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
III. QUESTIONS FROM THE HOMEWORK
Go through the homework, occasionally calling on women. Read scriptures aloud. After asking a question, remember to allow a brief period of quiet “wait-time” to give women a chance to think before answering. After pausing, if no one shares, go ahead with your answer, rephrase question, and/or move on.
DAY ONE
In the devotion, Laurie talks about the ‘disconnect’ between what God’s Word had taught her and the reality of what was truly going on in her heart and mind. If we are in Christ, how are our hearts changed and what amazing gifts are we given? What do we want to do to overcome the sin in our hearts and truly be rooted and established in Christ and His love for us?
How did the Prayer of Intent speak to your heart?
DAY TWO
What did you observe from reading Psalm 32?
What did you observe from reading Psalm 139?
DAY THREE
Read Psalm 1:1-3. What does the blessed man not do? What does he do? What are the results? What does this look like in practice?
DAY FOUR
7. Read Psalm 23:1-4. What does it mean to you that the Lord is your Shepherd? How is this a comfort to you?
DAY FIVE
8. Read Psalm 25:1-5. What do you learn from these verses? What is the psalmist asking of God? What did you learn about God and the one who trusts in the Lord?
IV. PLEASE RECITE YOUR SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSES TOGETHER
V. TAKING THE TRUTH TO HEART TIME
We will now focus on taking God’s truth to our hearts and bringing it to life. James 5:16a states; “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” And 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”
Please turn to the Taking the Truth to Heart and Bringing it to Life page on Day Six. We will each have 3 minutes so that everyone will have a chance to share. Please record one another’s confessions on the Taking the Truth to Heart Guide on the following page so that you can pray for each other throughout the week. Leaders, please set the example by going first.
VI. PLEASE CLOSE IN PRAYER
