Article 3: Nature and Choice - The Sad Reality of Sin
We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when they were tempted by Satan. The result is that all human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Through God's saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled, and renewed.
Objective:
To come to grips with the reality of human sin.
[In each section start with the green question and do the others as time permits.]
Open in Prayer
Watch the Video [5–10 minutes]
Video Reflections [10 minutes]
- What does it mean to be sinful by nature? What does it mean to be sinful by choice? Why is it important for us to highlight both of these ideas?
- As followers of Jesus do we try to see just how much we can get away with? Why isn’t this helpful to our spiritual development? What might be a better response to our own sin?
- “It has been said that the only provable Christian doctrine is sin.” What do you think of this quote from the video? Why would people say this? Can you think of examples of the reality of sin in our world?
Read
"We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when they were tempted by Satan. The result is that all human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Through God's saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled, and renewed."
(Lake Avenue Church Statement of Faith: Article Three – Sin)
Questions from the Statement of Faith [20 minutes]
"Up" Questions (Worship)
- What does our sinfulness as individuals and as a community have to do with worshiping God? What role do you think that confession and repentance should have in our worship?
- Read Romans 12:1. How would you define worship from this verse? So, if Jesus is the answer to our sin problem, what are some ways that we can worship him with our lives?
"In" Questions (Community)
- What about trying to hide our sinfulness is harmful to us and to others? What is a better way of dealing with our sinfulness than hiding it?
- What impact does sin within community and/or family have? How could our communities and families be different if we made repentance and restoration a normal part of our life together?
- It would be good to have a time of confession for your group. Is there anything that you have done that hasn’t brought God glory? Have you not done the good that you know God wanted you to do? Have you turned away from the injustice and suffering of others? Spend a few minutes confessing your sins and asking God to help you through his Spirit live lives that glorify him!
"Out" Questions (Service)
- Why do you think one of the most common adjectives used to describe Christians is “judgmental”? How might this sentiment change if we took our own confession and repentance seriously as followers of Jesus?
- How can we obey God and follow hard after him in the midst of a sinful world?
- CHALLENGE: The chances are quite high that there is someone in your life with whom you have unresolved conflict. This week call them, write them, visit them, email them, etc. Ask for their forgiveness for the part of the conflict that is your fault. Ask God to forgive you as well and also ask him to help reconcile you and the person with whom you have conflict.
Questions from Scripture [10 minutes]
- Read Isaiah 64:6. What does it mean that our good works are like filthy rags? What role, then, do good works have in the life of a follower of Jesus?
- Read 1 Corinthians 5:12-13. Should we judge the sinfulness of those outside the church? Why then are we so tempted to do just that? Why is it easier to point out the sin of those who don’t yet know Jesus than to hold one another accountable for our own sins?
Prayer
Father, we admit that we are broken, selfish, and sinful. We confess to you that we have done things that we know are wrong and have left other things undone that we know we should have done. And Father we have actively and passively been involved in creating pain and injustice in the lives of people whom you have created in your image. And we admit that all too often we've been quick to point our fingers at those who don't know Christ, while ignoring our own sinfulness. Please forgive us. We need your grace and mercy. In Jesus' holy name. Amen.