Psalm 51 Guilt – What is it? 5 Themes of Dealing With Guilt to Find Freedom 1. Start with _______________________________________ Psalm 51:1 2. Admit _______________________________________ Psalm 51:3-5, 16–17 3. Ask _______________________________________ Psalm 51:2,7, 9 4. Be _______________________________________ Psalm 51:10 5. Receive _______________________________________ Psalm 51:8, 12–15 No Condemnation in Christ Romans 8:1–2 Guilt | Brian Suter | October 25, 2020Want to go deeper? Check out the attached discussion questions to engage more with the sermon. Bible Reading Plan Reading the Bible every day is a great way to grow in your faith. After you read, take time to journal or reflect on these questions: What does it say? What does it mean? How can I live this out today? On our website, under Publications, you can find online resources for reading through the Bible in one year: westwoodcc.org/publications Start Your Faith Journey with Life Transformed Life Transformed is a 4-week course taught by Westwood pastors and staff. It will help jumpstart your faith journey and help you get connected at Westwood. Join us for this online session Mondays, October 26-November 16, 7:00-8:30pm. Register online. Want to be Baptized? Baptism is a celebration of a believer’s decision to follow Christ. Baptism is being held Sunday, November 15 at the Bush Lake and Chanhassen Campuses, and there is an option to be baptized at home. Learn more and register on our website. October 25, 2020You’re Not the Boss of Me Week Two – October 25, 2020 Topic: Guilt Discussion Questions 1. Let’s begin with a simple two word check-in exercise. Complete the following sentence using two feeling words. Be sure to use feeling words not thoughts or circumstances. No explanations are necessary. Simply listen to one another and acknowledge what you have heard. Do not give advice or make attempts to be helpful. Today, I am feeling ______________ and ________________. • How did you experience the exercise of identifying and sharing your feelings? Was there something about it that was a bit challenging or uncomfortable? • As a listener, what was it like for you to simply listen as others shared their feelings? How were you inclined or tempted to respond? 2. This week we consider the emotion of guilt. What are some common thoughts or attitudes toward guilt in our world today? 3. Sketch a simple picture (stick figures are welcome J ) depicting how you think or feel about guilt. If you’re willing, share your drawing with the group. 4. Pastor Brian defined guilt as “a signal of wrong.” He suggested that when we do wrong, or when we do not do what is right, we experience guilt. How does this simple definition distinguish guilt from shame? 5. We all know that honesty is essential, but we also sometimes hide things from others. What might we be attempting to protect or defend ourselves against? 6. 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12 provide the backdrop for David’s confession in Psalm 51. In these chapters we read of the extreme measures King David took to hide adulterous actions, including arranging to have Bethsheba’s husband, Uriah, killed in battle. The prophet Nathan was aware of David’s sinful actions. One day he confronted the King, telling him a story of a poor man who had his only lamb taken from him by a rich man who had a very large number of sheep and cattle. As King David listened, he became enraged. • What was the cause of David’s anger? • How do you suppose it was possible for David to have been surprised by the punch line to Nathan’s parable? • What might this suggest about how people, at times, may handle feelings of guilt? • How does Davids’ experience reveal the dangers of guilt becoming “the boss of me”? 7. Psalm 51 records for us David’s confession in response to the guilt of his sin. • What stands out to you about David’s appeal to God for forgiveness and cleansing? • What does David acknowledge about God? (Verses 1, 16-17) • What does David confess about himself? (Verses 3-5) • What does he ask God to restore, to renew and to accomplish in his heart and life? (Verses 6-12) 8. Read Romans 5:6-8 and Romans 8:1. What truths does Paul remind us of concerning our sin and guilt and God’s great love? Closing Thought: Pastor Brian extended this powerful invitation of hope: “Let the guilt you feel be a reminder to run to our God of unfailing love and great compassion, who will forgive you, release you, renew you, and give you the joy of freedom.” How may we together, as a group, support one another to run to God to experience forgiveness and freedom rather than allowing guilt to become our boss? Next >