Step 8: Write Your List
Selected Scripture
Connect:
Share how you have seen God in the Highs and Lows of your week.
Prayer:
Pray that God would lead your discussion time and bring fresh insight, conviction, and hope through your time together.
Review:
We are in a series looking at the 12 steps from AA through a Biblical lens as we look at the pathway of freedom in Christ and following Him whole heartedly. A phrase we are going to hear over and over is, “If you want to change your life, take it one step at a time (in other words, foundations matter!). This week we looked at the 8th Step of figuring out what damage has been caused and what we can do to reconcile…
The Grand Tour of the message: Thinking back on what you heard this Sunday…
o What did you learn about God?
o What did you learn about people?
o What did you learn about yourself?
o What do you want to commit to putting into practice?
Reflection:
Personal Experience:
Is there a difference between hurting someone intentionally as opposed to unintentionally? The damage is there either way, so whatever your answer here, explain it.
Group Discussion:
It is hard to admit that we hurt others in our past… we can’t undo, so we have to reconcile! What does reconciliation require of us, and why would it be worth that? (James 4:6, Prov 28:13, Micah 6:8, Phil 2:3, Matt 5:23,24; Matt 6:14,15; Eph 4:31-32; Col 3:13).
Read the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-9. Discuss the following:
As “Chief” tax collector, was Zach responsible for the actions of the other tax collectors he oversaw?
Jesus called out to Zach by name and honored him as Jesus’ host in the village. What effect do you think this had on Zach? On the villagers? On Zach’s family?
Is it possible to hold onto a grudge (at real or imagined hurt) and at the same time experience God’s grace? Explain.
Review verse 9. Was this “salvation” that Jesus spoke about a matter of faith, of works, or both? Explain. (James 2:14-25; Romans 6:11-14)
Scott talked about the (abused) phrase “Christians aren’t perfect; just forgiven.” Discuss: How are we to link the vertical relationship we have with God to our responsibility towards our neighbors? (Deut 6:4,5; Lev 19:18; Matt 3:8)
We looked at 4 walls of resistance to owning the hurt that we have caused others; which of these resonates most with your own experience (how you naturally avoid reconciliation) and how has God led you beyond that to make the effort to reconcile?
They don’t deserve it.
God will forgive me.
I can’t afford it.
I can’t think of anyone.
Application:
God’s grace is meant to lead us to repentance, and sometimes seeking forgiveness/ reconciliation is one of the fruits of repentance. Who do we need to seek forgiveness from this week?
Prayer:
Spend some time in prayer that God will put specific people on our hearts with whom reconciliation is needed. Commit to seeking this simply as an act of obedience to the Lord, to honor Him.
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