Breaking Ground
What are you most looking forward to this summer? Why?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our series 12 Words, in which we’re using the 12 Steps as a tool for experiencing Christlike transformation. In particular, we dove into Step 2: “We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity” & the spiritual principle of hope.
Begin by reflecting on the nature of this step & word.
What stands out the most about the wording of this step & word? What does it mean to be restored to sanity?
How does this step build off of step 1? Why do we need to believe that something outside of ourselves has the answers to our problems in order to move forward from a rock bottom experience & admission of powerlessness?
Next, read Luke 15:11-32. In this famous parable, Jesus tells the story of a son hitting rock bottom & ultimately finding redemption through a gracious, compassionate father.
What led the prodigal son to leave home? What was his rock bottom? What inspired him to return home after this experience? How did his father respond?
Given your answers to the previous questions, how does this parable capture the spiritual principles found within Steps 1 & 2? How about the relationship between these two steps?
Share about a time when you were forced to admit you were powerless & surrender to wisdom that came from outside of yourself about how to move forward. What happened? Who or what did you turn for wisdom?
How did reaching out beyond yourself help you recover & move forward? How did it give you ideas or answers that you wouldn’t have found on your own? How did this, ultimately, give you hope?
Where do you currently feel powerless? How can Step 2 offer you a hopeful path forward in this area of your life? What would it look like to put this transition from admitting your powerlessness to having hope into practice this week?
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 second step & word. Where do you need hope? Consider what you admitted you were powerless over last week.
- What would hope look like in this area? How can you start coming to believe that a power greater than yourself might be able to help you with it?
- What could a practical application of that hope look like this week?
- Close by praying & asking God to guide you forward in this process. Ask Him to give you hope & for His guidance moving forward.
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, May 25th: Join us next Sunday as we continue our series 12 Words!* Please see mye3.org for details.