Part 3 – Too Close to Sin
Leader Guide
As our relationship with God changes, so does our relationship with sin. When we truly believe in Him and spend time in His holy presence, our behaviors will start to change. We don’t have the ability to be close to God and happily keep on sinning. Our closeness to Him is what opens our eyes to our wrong choices and helps us to make better choices. This week we will discuss how a relationship with Christ will transform our hearts and our actions.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. When have you tried to do something fun or relaxing but because of a bad attitude or ungratefulness it didn’t turn out as you had hoped or expected?
2. Ask yourself: Is Jesus my Lord? Read 1 John 3:4-6. Can we know God if we sin? How does our view of sin change as we grow closer to God and in maturity? What does it mean to abide in God?
Leader’s Note: Humans have a sin nature. As believers, we are not exempt from sinning, however our perspective on sin changes. We have the desire to repent and leave behind habitual sin when we are in relationship with Christ. “Abide” comes from the same root words as “abode”. It is “to live within,” a wholistic approach to our relationship with God. We make our homes in Him.
3. Tell yourself: I am not the exception to God’s Word. Read 1 John 1:8. What does the Truth produce? In what ways does sin deceive, numb, and trick us?
Leader’s Note: Sin is more challenging to see when it has become a habit that we’re comfortable with. Jesus does not turn away sinners; in the New Testament those who are sinful are also drawn to Jesus. When God comes close to us, sinning is no longer comfortable. When we desire to remain close to God we also will feel called to repentance and changed behavior.
4. Ask God to reveal my sins. Read Psalm 139:23-24. What happens when we allow God to show us the wrong things we are doing? Has God revealed anything you need to change recently? If not, why do you think He hasn’t?
Leader’s Note: Jesus is aware that our nature is to sin. When we come to Him with our sins, we know He will have compassion for us, already took the penalty we deserve, and will love us through the transformation. His self-sacrificial grace inspires repentance.
5. Make the change: What will I do differently? Read 1 John 3:9. How does God abide in us? In what ways has your perspective of your own imperfect behaviors changed since becoming a believer? Consider less flashy convictions like viewing habits, venting/gossip, controlling my language, being easy to insult, my support of the poor and the foreigner, sabbath practices, loving my neighbor, respecting my parents.
Leader’s Note: We are told to “flee” from sin. We need to put ourselves in better situations or set protective boundaries that we decide ahead of time, not just try harder when we are tempted to sin.
6. Action Steps: What steps can you take this week to honor God from now on?
Leader’s note: Take time to reflect on the areas in your life that may be gradually moving away from God. Slow down enough to spend time with God, and He will help you recognize those things. Ask for God’s power to change your heart and actions.
Deeper
Read Psalm 139. Consider the following:
Psalm 139:1-6 Does God’s intimate knowledge of our thoughts and behaviors feel reassuring or unsettling to you? Why?
Leader’s Note: God is not surprised by our sin. If we allow sin to be more important to us than God, we should become unsettled. There is no thought or behavior that is too difficult for God to manage.
Psalm 139:7-12. Why is it pointless to try to escape God? Where are you now? Do you feel close to God or far from Him, and why?
Leader’s Note: God is everywhere, and even when we think we are far from Him, He knows us and cares for us. Our sense of His presence can dissipate when we distance ourselves from Him, but that doesn’t mean He isn’t there.
Psalm 139:13-24. Pray Psalm 139:23-24 over yourself. If this is an uncomfortable exercise, consider why that might be and bring that to God also.
Leader’s Note: Psalm 139:23-24 is an example of step 4 above, asking God to reveal our sins. This exercise is uncomfortable for anyone, but especially when we haven’t yet allowed God to show us new areas we need to address. Once we pray, receive, change and pray again, we realize that the process isn’t so scary after all. We serve a God who is holy and compassionate and loving.