James 1:13-15,18; 1 John 5:4-5; Rom. 8:8-9
OPEN IT:
What was one of your biggest struggles as a teenager?
DIG INTO IT: 1.
Read James 1:13-15 and answer the following questions:
13. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14. but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Shared from Bible App. Click here to Download
a) What is sin? What synonyms for sin can you name as a group? List them:
Sin is anything that separates us from God. Rebellion, shame, pride, evil, disorder, chaos, regret.
b) Where does our personal sin find its origin (in other words, who is to blame)?
Ever since the origin of man, we have blamed others for our sin. First, Eve, blamed the serpent, then Adam blamed Eve and God! However, it is our choice to sin, and the blame is ours.
c) Explain in practical terms the process of conception and birth as it relates to sin? How does it compare with the “birth” language in James 1:18?
James 1:18 – NIV
18. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
All sin has its origin in pride, or thinking, we know better than God. We are pride in temptation. Come together, you have sin. Where are the birth here, through truth, gives us fruit, believing a lie will give us sin. Satan’s language is a liar.
2. Read 1 John 5:4-5 and answer the following questions:
4. for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
5. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
a) Is this “overcoming of the world” in the present, future, or both? Explain your answer:
When Jesus forgives our sin, and we become born again into his family, he, forgives past, present, and future. He already knows this, since you will still come out, and as forgiving them. Jesus no longer sees you as a sinner, but he sees you as a saint, covered by Jesus’s sacrifice. Everything in the world is decaying, and getting further and further from God. Jesus overcame this decay and death and offers, everlasting life to all who believe.
b) Does Jesus give us the power to overcome; does He overcome for us, or both? Please explain:
Jesus already has overcome. He is the one that defeated death. He gives us the Holy Spirit, which, if we allow him to do, can say no to temptation.
3. Read Romans 8:8-9 and answer the following questions:
8. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.
a) Do we choose who/what we will be controlled by? How or how not?
Jesus stands at the door and knocks, if we let him in, we invite the Holy Spirit into our lives. Through the Holy Spirit, we can fight against evil temptation. God gives us free will to choose. We are in a lifelong “spiritual” battle choose to do our will versus God’s will. Overtime, ideally, we are learning to allow God to work through us for his well more than our own. This is called sanctification.
b) What would be some practical examples you could give of a person living under the control of the Holy Spirit? (Hint: Gal. 5:22-23)
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23. gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
c) Is it possible to be partly controlled by the sinful nature and partly controlled by the Spirit? If so, explain the type of turmoil a person would go through in this type of condition?
REFLECT ON IT:
1. Knowing the incredible price Jesus paid for the forgiveness of our sins, how do you think He feels when we continue to sin?
2. Do you think we take sin as seriously as God does?
3. Has there ever been a time in your life where you no longer felt the struggle between committing sin or living in righteousness?
4. How has God equipped you to overcome sin in your life?
5. Share with us a time when God has helped you to overcome a particular sin in your life? How did He do it?
6. Do you describe yourself as a sinner saved by grace, or as a saint who occasionally sins? Why?
7. What are you struggling with now that we can pray about as a group?
PRAY ABOUT IT:
“We can be tired, weary and emotionally distraught, but after spending time alone with God, we find that He injects into our bodies energy, power and strength.” ~ Charles Stanley
Davis, Barry L.. Instant Bible Studies for Small Groups (p. 8). GodSpeed Publishing. Kindle Edition.