Sermon

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful, or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
2. Read and discuss Genesis 3:1-13. What does it say? What does it mean? What should we do? How does it point us to Jesus?
3. Sin gives birth to fear, shame and guilt. How have you observed or experienced this? What’s the difference between guilt and shame?
4. How is sin the architect of religion?
5. Sin clouds our view of God’s divine attributes. What examples from Scripture can you think of? Where have you experienced this in your own life? What is the result of this?
6. What is the relationship between sin and fear? What is the difference between fearing God (Proverbs 9:10) and being afraid of God (Genesis 3:10)?
7. How would you define the conscience? What are the effects of sin on the conscience?
8. How and why does sin cause us to shift blame away from ourselves?
9. Is there a situation in your life where you are viewing your sin in ounces while viewing someone else’s in pounds? What do you need to do to move toward restoration and grace in that relationship?
10. Read through Romans 5:1, Romans 8:1, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Ephesians 2:4-5, Colossians 1:13-14,  Colossians 1:21-22. How does seeing the depth of our sin help us understand God’s great provision for sin in Christ? Spend some time in prayer for the things you’ve discussed, giving thanks to God for the reconciliation He gives us in Jesus.

THE ANATOMY OF SIN

• Sin opens our eyes to evil.
• Sin is tasting evil.
• Sin gives birth to shame.
• Sin is the architect of works-based religion.
• Sin creates incredible frustration.
• Sin causes us to hide.
• Sin clouds our view of God’s divine attributes.
• Sin deceives us.
• Sin gives birth to fear.
• Sin blames others.
• Sin blames the devil.
• Sin blames God.