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Sin

While we all want to be saved by grace, we must be aware of our sin to receive grace. Therefore, the aim of this study is to help seekers see what damage sin has caused in their relationships with God. This realization brings about a desire for both forgiveness and repentance. Pray for the Spirit to convict seekers in this study.

 

1 Peter 2:9-10

This verse shows two groups of people. One group is in darkness, is not a people, and has received no mercy. The other group is in Light, is the people of God, and has received mercy. Every person is either in the darkness or the light. There is no in between. Are you in Light or Darkness right now? This study will show us that outside of Jesus we are all in the darkness.

 

Isaiah 59:1-2

What is the consequence of sin? Sin hurts others, hurts ourselves, but ultimately sin hurts and separates us from God. God is light. Illustration: A wall separating us from God. As long as the wall of sin remains, we are in the darkness. In order to have a relationship with God, the barrier of sin must come down.

 

Romans 3:23-25

Who has sinned? Use illustrations to show that some are better than others, but all sin and fall short. Examples: Swimming to Hawaii, or graph showing piles of sin. Who is more lost? There is no “good person” who is without sin.

 

Galatians 5:19-21

Sin is the fundamentally “un-God-ward” orientation of our “flesh” or “sinful nature” and finds expression in many different ways. Emphasize “and the like.” What is the common element in all these things? Self-centeredness. Be specific in explaining and sharing from your own life about the sins listed. How do you see yourself in these verses? What sins have been characteristic of your own sinful nature? Let them share from their own life after you have shared.

 

Definitions of Sins

  • Sexual immorality (or fornication) - any sexual union outside of marriage.

  • Impurity - uncleanness, rottenness, filth, lust, masturbation, pornography.

  • Debauchery - sensuality, lewdness; excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures (the term is sexual in content and context).

  • Idolatry - to call on any god but the true God; worship of idols; false religion. Witchcraft - sorcery, séances, divination, astrology, channeling with the dead. Hatred - hostility, ill will, having enemies.

  • Discord - strife, fighting, selfish rivalry; lack of harmony between persons, disagreement, war, dispute.

  • Jealousy - a feeling of resentment that another has gained more than they rightfully deserve; mental uneasiness from suspicion or fear of rivalry or unfaithfulness.

  • Fits of rage - anger, rage, fury, tantrums, road rage.

  • Selfish Ambition - selfishness, selfish rivalry, self-seeking.

  • Dissensions - divisions; strong disagreement, quarrel, discord.

  • Factions - divisions, sects, false teachings, etc.; a group or clique within a larger group or organization; discord, disagreement, split; conflict within an organization.

  • Envy - jealousy, spite, feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another’s advantages, success, possessions, etc.; longing (in a jealous way) to possess something another person has.

  • Drunkenness - intoxicated, not sober.

  • Orgies - carousing, wild revelry, unbridled indulgence of passions, “partying”

  • And the like…this is not an all-inclusive list of sin.

 

2 Timothy 3:1-5

The previous list in Galatians focused on many of the outward sins we commit. This list focuses on many of the sins we commit in our hearts and minds. Share and explain from this list as well.

 

  • Lovers of themselves - loving self more than people or God.

  • Lovers of money - materialistic, loving money and things rather than people or God.

  • Boastful - bragging about wrong actions or taking pride in oneself.

  • Proud - overbearing, self-important, disdainful, arrogant, haughty, belief in one’s superiority, lofty self-respect, jealous preservation of one’s dignity, position in life, etc.

  • Abusive - mistreat, misuse, insult, damage physically or emotionally.

  • Disobedient to their parents.

  • Ungrateful - unappreciative, not displaying gratitude. Unholy - not set apart for God, wicked, not sacred. Without love.

  • Unforgiving - not forgiving; showing no mercy, refuse to allow for mistakes or weakness.

  • Slanderous - defamation, spreading malicious and false statements, gossip.

  • Without self-control.

 

James 4:17

We are sinful and in need of forgiveness not only as a result of those sins we have committed but for failing to do the good that we know to do. (Sins of omission) What are some good things we know we should do but don’t?

 

Romans 6:23

What are the eternal consequences of sin? Why be urgent to learn about receiving the gift of God that comes through Jesus Christ? Review these verses as honestly as you can to get in touch with the bad news about your own sinfulness. As we continue to study, we will look at the good news of God’s solution to our bondage to sin.

 

Additional Scriptures:

  • Luke 7:36-50 – Jesus anointed by a sinful woman. Forgiven much = love much.

  • Eph 5:3-13 – Not even a hint of these sins

  • James 5:16 – Confess sins to each other and pray for each other

  • 1 John 1:5-10 – If we claim to be without sin God’s word has no place in our lives

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