Breaking Ground
Who is your most trusted confidante in your life at the moment? Why?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our series 12 Words, in which we’re using the 12 Step Program as a tool for experiencing Christlike transformation. In particular, we dove into Step 5: “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs” & the spiritual principle of confession.
Begin by reflecting on the word confession.
What comes to mind when you hear the word confession (positively & negatively)? What purpose does confession serve in our lives & growth?
Next, read Psalm 32, Proverbs 28:13, James 5:15, & 1 John 1:9. These are but several of many Scriptures that speak to the value & need for confession in our lives; especially as it relates to finding, embracing, believing, & feeling a release from guilt & accepting that we’ve been forgiven for the wrongs we’ve committed.
What stands out to you the most about these passages? What consistent themes do you see within them? What do they uphold as the purpose of confession?
Consider how these passages mirror & further inform the language of Step 5.
How does this step & word act as a natural follow-up to last week’s (self-honesty & “made a searching & fearless moral inventory of ourselves)? Why do we need to involve someone else in our self-reflection work in order for it to be truly healing & productive?
What does it mean to admit the exact nature of our wrongs? Why is this important? How do we often avoid doing this?
Why must we make this admission to God, ourselves, & another human being? Why must each be included in a healthy, productive vision of confession?
Where do you need to practice confession in this season of your life? Who can you seek out to take this step with? How might this help you to better see the exact nature of your wrongs & experience a release from guilt or shame?
Getting Out of the Hole
In this series, take time each week to reflect upon the Step & Word that we covered in the Sunday sermon.
- Reflect on this step & word. Where do you feel guilt or shame for a past or present wrong? Where are you hiding some brokenness in your life? How is that holding you back when it comes to following Jesus or experiencing abundant life?
- How might confession help you surrender & find release from what you’ve identified? What’s keeping you from taking this step?
- Identify someone in your life who 1.) has undergone their own transformation story in some area of brokenness; & 2.) who you believe to be trustworthy, compassionate, & gracious. Reach out & ask them if they’d be willing to hear your confession next week.
Close by praying & asking God for the courage to be honest & open in that conversation. Reflect afterwards on whether or not you felt peace or relief on the other side of sharing your life with this other person.
Additional Resources*
TheBibleProject.com
Breathing Under Water by Richard Rohr
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous by Bill W
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, June 15th: Join us next Sunday as we continue our series 12 Words!* Please see mye3.org for details.