Under The Surface
Restoring Relationships
Pastor Kirk, Sept 22nd, 2019
Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-13 vs. 1 Samuel 13:1-15, 15:17-21, 24-25, Psalm 51, 2 Corinthians 7:10-11
Summary: Sin always destroys relationships. How we respond to sin will either wreck or restore your relationships.
Main Thought: True repentance restores relationship
Getting to Know Each Other (Start Here):
- Describe a public repentance that you remember. When a politician, actor, athlete or anyone had to publicly repent for something they did.
- How did you feel during it?
- What were your thoughts after?
- Do you think they were sincere or was it just lip service?
Going Deeper:
1. Read the story of Saul’s disobedience in 1 Samuel 15. What do you think the root identity lie in Saul’s soul is? (Performance, Power, Pleasing others). Why? What does this identity lie cause Saul to do? What are the results?
2. How would you describe repentance? Practice explaining it to one another. Brainstorm biblical examples of what repentance looks and feels like (Help: a turning away from sin, a turning to God, a change of heart).
3. Pastor Kirk said that Saul was cut off from God not because of his disobedience in offering the sacrifice or not destroying all of the things God deemed, but because of his failure to repent. Do you agree? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever repented in order to restore a broken relationship. Encourage each other with a story of repentance that restored a relationship in your life. Describe how God worked in you throughout the experience.
5. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins and through repentance we accept what he has done and are reconciled with God. What does the truth of Christ’s payment mean for our interpersonal relationships?
6. Read Psalm 51 – David wrote this Psalm as a repentance to God for what he did. Look at the descriptive language he uses to describe his sin and repentance. Which words jump out to you? What can we learn about praying from this Psalm? Have you ever felt like David? Share this experience with your group.
7. What are your thoughts on the OCD steps of repentance? Own it, Confess it, and Do it (change how you have been acting)? Which one of the questions/steps is the hardest one for you to do? What could your group do to help you with that step?
Apply it:
- Pray for your Community Group this week that we would experience Godly sorrow for sin in our lives.
- Practice writing out your repentance like David did with Psalm 51.
Pray without ceasing:
Living Hope’s annual meeting is coming up on Sept 29th. Pray that the Holy Spirit would unite us as a family and lead us to reach out in His might.
Community Reading Plan: 1 Samuel 19-25
This week add 1 Samuel 19 to 25 to your devotions. Read a chapter a day up to and including chapter 25. Look at the relationships that are present in these chapters and keep two questions in mind.
- What do I need to know from this chapter (a truth about my reality or God or a life lesson)?
- What do I need to grow (Is there something God is trying to teach me through His Word)?
Keep a journal nearby and write down any questions or thoughts you can share with your Community Group. Remind and encourage each other to participate in this group devotion.
