FUEL: Refuel from Failure
John 8:1-11
Connect:
Share how you have seen God in the Highs and Lows of your week.
Discuss how resolutions made last week in “growing more like Jesus” worked themselves out— what did God do in and through you (Phil 2:13)? Celebrate those together!
Prayer:
Pray that God would lead your discussion time and bring fresh insight, conviction, and hope through your time together.
Read: John 8:1-11
Review: Remind the group of the focus of this series:
o This series looks at what Scripture says about health in various areas of our lives— places where the truth and grace of God can shine through and sustain us as well as those around us.
o Last few weeks, we looked at refueling in the area of our friendships, then stress.
o this week, we looked at refueling in the area of FAILURE…
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?
Reflect:
We hate to fail, but we also fear failure (some to the level of paralysis). Where does ‘failure’ get that much power over us?
If someone is willing, ask them to share a story about their experience with failure and what they learned about God, themselves and others through it.
“We all fail” (e.g., Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8-10), and yet God does not cast us aside (as those do who hypocritically condemn us when our failure comes to light) (e.g., 2 Timothy 2:13, Matthew 7:1-5)! Discuss that…
o Scott said, “People who condemn seek control”— how does that help us discern the difference between condemnation (“You’re done; get out”) and conviction (“That was wrong, turn around”)?
o What’s the core message in passages like, “those who do not believe are already condemned” (John 3:16-18) and “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1-9)?
o When people in Christ fail Christ, Christ remains faithful (1 John 1:10); For those not in Christ, these stand condemned already because these have not believed (trusted in the saving work of Jesus) (John 3:18). How do you see this distinction echo among other passages of Scripture/ God’s dealing with His people?
Read John 8:1-6. Discuss:
o This was a set up by Jesus’ antagonists because it pit God’s law (death for the adulterers') against Roman law (only Rome can give a death sentence)! What choices do we face that force a similar choice right here and now?
o The woman was a pawn in the tension between Jesus and those trying to trap Him (possibly why the man was not there— Leviticus 20:10 was not the point for the antagonists!). Who are the pawns in the choices we just talked about?
Read John 8:7-8
o What do you think Jesus was writing?
o Scott said, “We give others fuel in failure when we guard against self-righteous stone throwing”. How did you see that happen in this scenario in John 8?
Read John 8:9. Discuss the passage:
o The folk gathered around came as a mob, and then left, one by one. Why did it work like that?
o Why did the older folk leave first?
Read John 8:10-11. Discuss the passage:
o “Where are your accusers?” How did Jesus’ truth and grace confront those who failed Him in the sin of hypocrisy?
o “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” How did Jesus’ truth and grace confront the lady who failed Him in the sin of adultery?
The point of the message is that as a believer, Jesus does not condemn you (as in, cast you aside, be ‘done with you’) because you failed in sin against Him (Romans 8:1, 1 John 1:10)… and yet He calls us to a transformed life (James 2:14-17, Galatians 6:1). How would you express that difference between condemnation (“You’re done”) and conviction (“Turn around”) in your own words?
The message ended with 2 practical to-do items. Discuss each area:
o “Guilt is a bridge to cross” (an invitation to turn from sin to God); so don’t make guilt a road you travel!
o Scott asked, “Whose name is on the stone you are holding?” Take a pause in your LG time together and let God bring that person to mind.
Respond:
o Some of us are struggling with the burden of guilt; others of us are stumbling under the load of rocks with people’s names on them! Jesus calls both to account. Bring that to the Lord in prayer together.
o If there is a need to commit to an action of reconciliation or decision to forgive, bring that before the Lord together now.
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