TRUE[ish] 04: As Long As You Don't Hurt Anyone FollowUp

As Long As You Don’t Hurt Anyone Week 4

Share with your group your what your biggest “guilty pleasure” is. Some examples could be a questionable television show you like to watch, a controversial type of music you like to listen to, overeating when it comes to a certain food or maybe just a bad habit.

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV)

One of the top virtues promoted in today’s society is tolerance. The virtue of tolerance teaches we can justify almost anything we want to do in our lives. How has the virtue of tolerance affected you (or someone you love)?

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:28-32 (NIV)

What are some questionable activities that you have heard others justify with the claim that “it’s ok if no one is getting hurt?” What sins does our culture tend to excuse with this same logic?

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8 (NIV)

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags… Isaiah 64:6 (NIV)

Even if a sin, in our own life, doesn’t directly impact others, in what ways can it impact others indirectly?

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NIV)

Describe how Christ’s forgiveness has transformed you and resulted in your living a more pure life.

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret...2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)

Is there something in your life right now that may be questionable but you’ve found a justification for it? Take a moment to pray individually. Ask God to help you see that “something” through His eyes and how it is impacting your life. Ask if it is something He wants to purify in your life.

Final thought: With your group As a group share with each other what you sense God may be wanting to purify in your life.

For Further Study

Simply select one or two questions from each category below that you think will help your group discussion. Alternatively, you can use these questions and Scriptures in your own personal devotions during the week.

Open

What are some of the common motives people have when deciding to make major changes in their lives?

Explore
Read Romans 6:1-14 

Why should a forgiven, justified person make a strong effort not to sin? (6:1- 2) 

Why would a person not want to live in sin any longer? (6:2)

What makes it possible for a person to live a new life? (6:4)

Before a person is united to Christ, what are they a slave to? (6:6)

After Christ died and was raised, why did neither sin nor death have any power over Him? (6:7, 9-10)

How will uniting with Christ in His death change the future of our lives? (6:8-10)

In a person’s new relationship with God, what is his or her relationship to sin supposed to be? (6:11-12)

What change in attitude and action toward God happens in a person who follows Christ? (6:11-13)

Reflect

Why would a Christian want to stop sinning even though he or she knows God has forgiven them and will forgive those sins?

How does God help a person discard old habits and tendencies? 

How does God give a person a new self?

What are the symptoms of a person in slavery to sin?

What does it mean to live a new life for God?

In what practical sense is sin no longer the master of a Christian even though he or she might still commit specific sins?

Apply

What are some ways Christ has promised to help you run toward Him and away from your old life and sin.?

Here are some suggestions you may want to use for your time with God this week:

Day 1: Read Romans 1:28-32. Take time today to confess those areas of your life that continue to struggle with sin to God. Ask God for forgiveness and for his healing in those areas of your life.

Day 2: Read Romans 7:7-25. Spend time with God in prayer asking Him to help you recognize and battle the attacks of the enemy in your life.

Day 3: Read Luke 17:1-10. Ask God to make you aware of ways you can show his love to those you impact daily.

Day 4: Read 1 John 1: 5-10. Spend time thanking God for His forgiveness in your life.

Day 5: Read 2 Corinthians 7:2-16. Pray for those in your LifeGroup and other loved ones and for strength and wisdom in the battles they are facing.

g-ram