Were you ever a Star Wars fan? Do you have a favorite character and why?
1. The whole Star Wars popularity was built on science fiction fantasy. However, there is a real war going on in the heavenlies over our souls. There is a battle of good versus evil that rages.
Read Romans 7:17-18. How would you describe our “sinful nature or what some translations call ‘the flesh’”?
2. Read Jeremiah 17:9-10. Is it shocking to hear point blank how the Bible describes the deceitfulness of the human heart? The NLT version says in verse 10 “But I know! I the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. This alludes to the idea that as human we often have hidden agendas, and sometimes they are even hidden to ourselves! What, do you think, would help a person bring to the surface all the motives hidden in one’s heart? Put another way, what could help us from being self-deceived?
3. One of the ways in which we humans deceive ourselves is in the area of pride. In the workbook, Seeking Him, the authors give some contrasts to proud people and humble people. This list is for personal reflection in quiet time between you and the Lord. Here are a few statements for self-evaluation:
Proud People:
Focus on the failures of others
Have a critical fault-finding spirit; look at everyone else’s faults with a microscope but their own faults with a telescope
Have an independent self-sufficient spirit
Are self-protective of their time, their rights, and their reputation
Desire to make a name for themselves
Keep others at arms’ length
Are quick to blame others
Want to be sure that no one finds out when they have sinned; their instinct is to cover up
Have a hard time saying, “I was wrong; will you forgive me?”
Are concerned about the consequences of their sin
However, Humble People:
Are overwhelmed with a sense of their own spiritual need
Are compassionate; can forgive much because they know how much they have been forgiven
Have a dependent spirit; recognize their need for others
Are self-denying
Are motivated to be faithful and make others a success
Are willing to risk getting close to others and to take risks of loving intimately
Accept personal responsibility and can see where they are wrong in a situation
Once broken, don’t care who knows or who finds out; are willing to be exposed because they have nothing to lose
Are quick to admit failure and seek forgiveness when necessary.
Are grieved over the cause, the root of their sin
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Did the Lord speak to your heart as you carefully went over these statements? Can you share with the group something that you learned as a result of going through these statements?
8. Read I John 1:9 together as a group. Discuss why this gives the Christian great hope.
