NEXT STEP 2017
NE
XT STEP 2017
MESSAGE: “HONESTY” SERIES: ONECRY PASSAGE: Psalm 32, Psalm 51 and 1 John 1:5-2:2
FIRST STEP: (Pick one or more as a WARM-UP) 1. 2. 3. 4.
Do you think that most Christians are honest with God about their sin? What is the difference between a sin and a mistake? When was the last time you were honest with God about your sin and cried out to him? What are some of the things that we as Christians might say or do that might reveal that we are not being honest with God and with each other?
FOCUS OF THE WEEK: Psalm 32, Psalm 51 and 1 John 1:5-2:2 1. David and Bathsheba: Review 2 Samuel 11-12 if needed. What were some the signs that David was not being honest with the Lord, with others and with himself? Why do you think that David tried to conceal this sin with Bathsheba? What were the consequences of not being honest? 2. Psalm 32: What does this Psalm teach us about our relationship with the Lord? What does this Psalm teach us about hiding from God and concealing our sin? What does Psalm 32:1-3 teach us about prayer and being honest with God? What are the harmful consequences of deceit with God? 3. Psalm 51: What does this Psalm teach us about sin and holiness? According to David, what should be the cry of our hearts? What keeps a Christian from being honest about their past and present sins? How can we make Psalm 51:9-10 our ONECRY? How does our level of joy relate to our level of honesty? 4. 1 John 1:5-2:2: How is our New Testament relationship with the Lord different than David’s relationship with the Lord in the Old Testament? What does John want us to know about being honest/true about our sins? Why do so many Christians struggle with being honest/true about their sins? What is the relationship between being honest and our intimate fellowship with the Lord? What is the relationship of honesty and confession? Is it possible that failure to confess sins is a failure to be honest with God? Which of the “if” clauses speak to you the most? How would your life be better if you lived according to these principles? What is the biggest fear keeping you from being honest with God and other believers? 5. John 8:31-36: What did Jesus want us to know about honesty/truth? According to Jesus why are so many people still bound in slavery to sins/addictions? What is the antidote to bondage? Specifically, how would our church be different if we lived according to the truth/freedom practice? 6. DRAW A CIRCLE(S): Where do you need to be honest with God? Which sin(s) do you need to experience freedom from? Who in your life needs to be honest with God about their situation? Which past sin do you need to feel forgiveness from? Who might you need to confess your sin to? 7. HOPE: What do you hope will happen in your life if you start being honest with God about your sin? FINAL STEP: Set aside some time to do an honest evaluation of some of the sins that are plaguing us today: pride, anger, jealousy, greed, lust, envy, slander, gossip, hate, racism, selfish desires, sexual immorality, drunkenness, foul language, idolatry, lying, witchcraft, superstition, hiding from God, etc. REMINDER: Please use the OneCry tools such as Draw A Circle, the 40 Days of Prayer and the Prayer Cards.
DRAW A CIRCLE
A Promise
Family and Friends
A DREAM Our School and Church
SINS
XT STEP 2017
MESSAGE: “HONESTY” SERIES: ONECRY PASSAGE: Psalm 32, Psalm 51 and 1 John 1:5-2:2
FIRST STEP: (Pick one or more as a WARM-UP) 1. 2. 3. 4.
Do you think that most Christians are honest with God about their sin? What is the difference between a sin and a mistake? When was the last time you were honest with God about your sin and cried out to him? What are some of the things that we as Christians might say or do that might reveal that we are not being honest with God and with each other?
FOCUS OF THE WEEK: Psalm 32, Psalm 51 and 1 John 1:5-2:2 1. David and Bathsheba: Review 2 Samuel 11-12 if needed. What were some the signs that David was not being honest with the Lord, with others and with himself? Why do you think that David tried to conceal this sin with Bathsheba? What were the consequences of not being honest? 2. Psalm 32: What does this Psalm teach us about our relationship with the Lord? What does this Psalm teach us about hiding from God and concealing our sin? What does Psalm 32:1-3 teach us about prayer and being honest with God? What are the harmful consequences of deceit with God? 3. Psalm 51: What does this Psalm teach us about sin and holiness? According to David, what should be the cry of our hearts? What keeps a Christian from being honest about their past and present sins? How can we make Psalm 51:9-10 our ONECRY? How does our level of joy relate to our level of honesty? 4. 1 John 1:5-2:2: How is our New Testament relationship with the Lord different than David’s relationship with the Lord in the Old Testament? What does John want us to know about being honest/true about our sins? Why do so many Christians struggle with being honest/true about their sins? What is the relationship between being honest and our intimate fellowship with the Lord? What is the relationship of honesty and confession? Is it possible that failure to confess sins is a failure to be honest with God? Which of the “if” clauses speak to you the most? How would your life be better if you lived according to these principles? What is the biggest fear keeping you from being honest with God and other believers? 5. John 8:31-36: What did Jesus want us to know about honesty/truth? According to Jesus why are so many people still bound in slavery to sins/addictions? What is the antidote to bondage? Specifically, how would our church be different if we lived according to the truth/freedom practice? 6. DRAW A CIRCLE(S): Where do you need to be honest with God? Which sin(s) do you need to experience freedom from? Who in your life needs to be honest with God about their situation? Which past sin do you need to feel forgiveness from? Who might you need to confess your sin to? 7. HOPE: What do you hope will happen in your life if you start being honest with God about your sin? FINAL STEP: Set aside some time to do an honest evaluation of some of the sins that are plaguing us today: pride, anger, jealousy, greed, lust, envy, slander, gossip, hate, racism, selfish desires, sexual immorality, drunkenness, foul language, idolatry, lying, witchcraft, superstition, hiding from God, etc. REMINDER: Please use the OneCry tools such as Draw A Circle, the 40 Days of Prayer and the Prayer Cards.
DRAW A CIRCLE
A Promise
Family and Friends
A DREAM Our School and Church
SINS
