Even though I’m out of the country for a few weeks, I thought it would be good for us to continue the “Call Of Duty” series with a few “mini-messages.” Our elder board thought that was a good idea, also, so here is a very short podcast, and discussion questions below. Have a listen, then discuss with your group!
Lifegroup Discussion Questions below!
If you’re the leader of your group, make sure everyone knows they can be in on this discussion by first listening to the 12-minute podcast. Same thing next week. You can SUBSCRIBE to this podcast in your favorite podcast app, OR you can subscribe to the blog (the subscribe button is in the column on the right) and have it emailed directly to you.
Ephesians 6:13-14 ESV
Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness…
In the podcast, Steve talks about the two types of righteousness that we possess in Christ. What are those, and what are the distinctions between the two?
Do we typically think about our salvation, our righteousness in these terms?
1 John 3:15 ESV
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
So, God equates evil thoughts with evil actions. Is that the way we live our lives? What if we actually did everything that ran through our minds? What kind of people would that make us? How would other people view us if we did that?
What kinds of “sin” do we in our society tend to consider “permissive?” How has that changed over the last 60 or 80 years? Why? (think about the breastplate and what it does)
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Real victory is inside out
Religion, with it’s legalism and rigid rules, demands that you perform in order to earn your way. Don’t you think this can be exhausting? Always having your “religious face” on… Even when you’ve had a bad day, when you got a ticket, when the dog poops on the carpet again, when your spouse just won’t stop… It can leave you beaten down and worn out, discouraged and ready to give up. Is that what the “practice” of righteousness is all about?
Romans 12:2 NLT
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
How is this different from religious legalism? Who’s job is this? How do we participate?
2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Practice by Confession
The definition of confession isn’t simply admitting wrong, but acknowledging that God is right… It is about aligning ourselves back under the authority line of God.
Why isn’t confession typically a significant part of our prayer life? Do you think it is possible to underestimate the value of confession to the believer? Do you think the average believer practices confession on a regular basis?
1 John 1:8-9 NLT
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
Why don’t we make this a regular practice? Why do we expect God to hear us, to answer our prayers, and to make changes in our lives if we refuse to acknowledge our basic need for His change?
James 1:21 NLT
So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
James, writing to believers, clearly explains that our salvation (sanctification) is tied up in confession and humble acceptance of God’s Word. What does this mean for us? How should this change the way we pray on a regular basis? How could our lives change if we would practice this one simple act?
Galatians 5:16-17 NLT
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.
What in my life needs to change?