MARCH 12
AT MY ALL-TIME LOW
When Jesus showed up in people’s lives in the Gospels, something shifted. The same is true today. When we radically encounter who God really is, in the greatest way possible, nothing is ever the same. God will stop at nothing to show you that you are chosen like two men who abandoned Jesus. Despite your sin and your mess, you are chosen by God.
Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own, or get together with your running partner, life group, or friends and family to talk through what you are learning.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Share about a choice you made in your past that completely altered the trajectory of your life. Why was that choice so pivotal?
2. Both Peter and Judas betrayed Jesus in His final hours before His death. Read the accounts of their betrayals- Luke 22:1-6, 47-48, 54-62 and their responses- Matt. 27:3-5, John 21:15-19.
- In what ways were their responses different and what happened as a result?
- Why does the way they respond to their shame matter so much?
3. Where do you turn when you are battling shame? Do you tend to conflate behavior with identity, or can you separate the two?
4. Read Luke 5:29-32.
- What kind of people does Jesus call to Himself and why?
- Where do you see yourself in this story?
5. Read 2 Corinthians 7:10.
- What is the difference between godly grief and worldly grief?
- What enables a godly grief over a worldly grief?
- What is your experience with godly or worldly grief?
6. Read Romans 2:4. Repentance means to change one’s mind, or to turn away from sin toward God. It is not just feeling bad about our sin, but choosing to think and act differently as a result. It is both the beginning of one’s relationship with God and a continual practice that brings us near to God and gets sin out of the way so we can grow in Christ-likeness.
- Is there anything currently keeping you at arms length from God? Are you running toward Him or away? Is shame getting in the way of you coming to Him? Take some time to repent in prayer. If you don’t know what sin is keeping you from God, ask Him to show you.
- Close with this reminder: “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) and “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
KEY SCRIPTURE
Luke 5:29-32 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Romans 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
TAKE A NEXT STEP
- For a deeper dive into the practice of confession and repentance, take some time to engage in this Spiritual Outcome: http://www.gatewaychurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Confession-Outcome-final.pdf
FOR THE PARENTS
Hey, families! Here’s a look at what we’re covering with your kids so you can help them continue to grow at home during the week.
THIS WEEK
This week, kids hear about the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman.
- THE BIBLE: Our past doesn’t change God’s love for us.
- THE BIG IDEA: John 4:5-42
ASK THIS
Because sometimes you and your kid need a conversation-starter that isn’t,
“So . . . how was church?”
- Why might we find it hard to talk to God about our mistakes?
- What can we do to remind ourselves that God’s love doesn’t change?
REMEMBER THIS
This month, your kids are memorizing the Bible verse
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV), in case you want to work on them together.
EC: “The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinithians 5:17
Elem: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
NEXT WEEK
Next week, kids will hear about how Jesus healed a blind man.