Week 2: Discussion & Personal Application

Hello,
Just me again! Here are this week's discussion and personal application questions. A couple of the discussion ones feel a little "Sunday schoolish" to me in terms of having fairly obvious, easy answers. If you feel the same, either pick a different question to reflect on or try to take it in a deeper direction than it seems to require. I'm not too worried about depth of conversation with this group. Thanks for all the comments so far. It's great to be in conversation with you all again. Both the accountability and the sounding board are so beneficial for me. I hope the same is true for you!

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the truth that God has forgiven our sin free us to honestly and humbly face our sin?
2. What hinders us from recognizing our sin? Why do we allow sin to "reign" in our lives? (See Romans 6:12.)
3. How might our lives change if we consistently pray about subtle sins and ask for the Holy Spirit's help each time we encounter situations that might trigger these sins?
4. Why do we need to "preach the gospel to ourselves," to read biblical assurances of God's forgiveness?
5. How should Jesus' work (the forgiveness his death and resurrection accomplished) motivate us to deal with our sin?

Personal Application:

1. In chapters 4-6, which insights did you particularly appreciate and why?
2. If you trust Jesus as your Savior and Lord, do you find it easy or difficult to comprehend God's forgiveness and infinite love for you? Why?
3. If you're a follower of Christ, God has completely forgiven your sin and will work with you to put to death expressions of sin in your life--including the "respectable" ones. What does this mean to you personally?

Action Steps:

1. Together, let's invite God to give each of us a new heart that longs to be in intimate relationship with Him--and to promptly confess our sins as His Spirit makes us aware of them.
2. Write out 1 John 1:9 from your favorite translation of the Bible. Spend the next week working to memorize it and reflecting on the promise it holds.

Next week: Chapters 7 & 10

Week 2: Study Questions

Hello! I totally forgot to post our study questions earlier in the week, so hopefully you're all behind like me and haven't started reading yet! :) If you are just getting started, we're reading chapters 4-6 for Tuesday. Once again, I'll post the discussion questions sometime tomorrow. Here are the study questions:

Key verse: Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin. Romans 4:7-8

1. The moment we receive salvation through Christ, what does God do for us regarding the guilt and reigning power of sin? (See Romans 6:1-2; Colossians 1:13-14.)
2. What does God use to convict us of our sins--including our selfishness and judgmental attitudes? (See 2 Timothy 3:16.)
3. What assurance do we have that, when we acknowledge our sinfuless and ask for God's forgiveness, He will forgive us and no longer hold our sin against us? (See Romans 4:7-8; Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:9.)
4. In Matthew 5:6, what did Jesus promise all who pursue righteousness, who earnestly desire to see their sin put to death and be replaced with the fruit of the Spirit? (See Matthew 5:4, 6; Galatians 5:22-23.)
5. Read Galatians 5:16. What hope is promised as we seek to "put to death" sins that keep coming back? What does it mean to "walk by the Spirit"?
6. As we ask God to enable us to deal with our sin, what must we "store up" in our hearts? (See Psalm 119:11.)
7. How can we be sure that God the Father and the Son, working through the Holy Spirit who lives within every believer (see 1 Corinthians 6:19), will help us deal with sin and direct our spiritual transformation? (See Romans 8:31; Philippians 1:6, 2:12-13.)
8. What is the Holy Spirit doing within each believer? (See 2 Corinthians 3:18.)

Week 1: Discussion & Personal Application

Hey! As promised, below are some questions to kindle some discussion as well as personal reflection over the first three chapters of the book.

Discussion Questions (some repeat yesterday's study questions)

1. How might we begin to see our own sins more clearly instead of focusing so much on other people's sins?
2. What impact do you think the "softening" of language regarding sin is having on our lives? On our churches?
3. How might what we learned today influence what we say, do and/or think?

Personal Reflection

1. During this session, what discoveries, quotations or verses especially connected with you? Why?
2. What "respectable" sins might you be tolerating in your life?
3. In what ways might these sins be affecting your life, your relationships and your relationship with God?
4. What do you think God wants you to learn from that situation?
5. What one insight regarding "respectable" sins would you like to begin applying to your spiritual journey this week?

Feel free to pose your own new thoughts and questions as well!

As a reminder, for next week, it's chapters 4-6.

Post away, ladies!
Beth

Week 1: Study Questions

Hello, noggies! Welcome to the first installment of Respectable Sins, the official book study of the NOG (that's N-O-G)!

I hope you're enjoying the reading so far. The discussion guide breaks the questions down into 3 sections with the first being what I would call "study questions," the second "discussion questions," and the third "personal applications." In looking at the questions, the personal applications seem to be those that strike the deepest chords and will be more likely to cultivate discussion, but I could be wrong. Anyway, my point in telling you all this (yes, I have a point) is to say that tonight I'm going to post just some of the study questions because I think they'll be more useful as you finish reading if you want some Scripture to go with it and some questions that guide your reading a bit more. In fact, in future weeks I think it might be good to post the study questions earlier and then the others later in the week.

So, use the following questions as you wish and more questions will be posted some time on Monday:

1. Why do you think it's important for us to understand what sin is and its impact on our lives and relationships?
2. What do James 1:14-15 and 2:10-11 reveal about the root of our sinful actions? About God's law and the consequences of breaking it?
3. In Matthew 5:22, 27-28, what did Jesus emphasize concerning the seriousness of sin--breaking God's law?
4. What evidence do you see that the word sin has virtually disappeared from our culture? That awareness of personal sin has effectively disappeared from many believers' consciences? What impact is this "softening" having on our lives and our churches?
5. Why is it easier for believers to focus on the sins of unbelievers rather than their own personal sin?
6. List some common "respectable sins." Why are we more inclined to tolerate them?
7. In Galatians 3:10, what did the apostle Paul quote to emphasize the importance of obeying God's law? What might this reveal about the consequences of tolerating "seemingly minor sins"?
8. Describe the choices Peter & Paul urge every true believer to make. (See Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 4:29, 1 Peter 2:11.)
9. Read 2 Samuel 12:1-10, where Nathan the prophet spoke God's words to David after his adultery, murder and denial of his sin. What do we learn about denial? About sin in relation to God and His law?

A Prayer for Us:
Lord, You are a holy, holy, holy God. We worship you and seek to live our lives solely for you, with no other gods getting in our way. As we begin this study, will you open our eyes to the "respectable sins" we are tolerating in ourselves and give us the courage to be honest with ourselves, with one another and with You. Speak to us individually and speak to our group about how these sins affect community as well. Continue to transform us as we learn to trust in You. Help us to receive both Your conviction and Your grace. We love you and bow to no one but You.

In the name of Jesus,
Amen.

Blessings to you, ladies! Let the posts begin!

I love and miss you all!
Beth

Pottery & Pajama Parties

I just wanted to do a quick check-in on some possible NOG gatherings. I know Nancy is anxiously awaiting responses about our pottery date, so if possible, get back to her in the next couple days. Thanks for checking on all the details, Nancy! Sounds fun! (Though, like I told Nancy, I am a terrible artist, so it makes me nervous. I think I'll be going and checking things out a bit before our scheduled date!)

And for my second item, I wondered about setting a date for an overnighter. (Pajama party may sound a little middle school, but I really liked the alliteration!) At least a few have mentioned that they think it sounds fun. I thought if it worked out schedule-wise it could be a good way to celebrate at the end of our study in November. What are your schedules looking like on Friday, November 14? I'm thinking a Friday evening/Saturday morning thing...does that sound good? I'm also thinking it can be part spiritual reconnection and part just plain old fun! Ideas and thoughts welcome!

Let the Book Study Begin!

Hello, Noggies!
I'm thinking we better stick with Noggies even though we're moving to a new book. We don't want to be known as the Respectable Sinners, do we?? :)

As promised, here's a recap of our reading plan and schedule. Time to hit the books!

In keeping with our sacred Tuesday schedule, we’ll read our chapters each week by Tuesday. Questions for thought and discussion will be posted on the blog on Sunday or Monday by me and/or Tiff, and blogging on the current chapters will center around Tuesday and Wednesday before starting the next week’s reading and beginning the cycle again.

We think at least loosely sticking to this weekly schedule will keep us all on the same page and not get anyone too far ahead or behind. Of course this doesn’t mean that people can’t post any time they have thoughts or questions; we just want to stay together in the reading material and make sure we’re making intentional time for each specific topic. Aren’t you excited to get some life back into the Nog Blog again?! I am!!!

Here’s the schedule as laid out in the discussion guide:

• Session 1-Facing up to the Truth: Chapters 1, 2, 3 (read by September 23)
• Session 2-the Remedy for Sin: Chapters 4, 5, 6 (September 30)
• Session 3-Ungodliness & Unthankfulness: Chapters 7 & 10 (October 7)
• Session 4-Anxiety, Frustration & Discontentment: Chapters 8 & 9 (October 14)
• Session 5-Pride & Selfishness: Chapters 11 & 12 (October 21)
• Session 6-Impatience, Irritability & Anger: Chapters 14, 15, 16 (October 28)
• Session 7-Judgmentalism & Sins of the Tongue: Chapters 17 & 19 (November 4)
• Session 8-Lack of Self-Control, Envy & Jealousy: Chapters 13 & 18(November 11)
  

Don't forget to also give some thought to a possible Nog Overnighter or some other dates to get together in person! Let us all know of any ideas!

Happy Reading! Can't wait to once again be challenged, entertained and loved by your thoughts and questions!

Mental Hugs,
Beth

Missing You

Tuesdays come and go like any other day of the week now. All summer they were what I looked forward to, and now every day looks the same.... getting the kids out the door for school, feeding the baby, doing the laundry, taxiing to soccer or football or piano lessons, etc. I've definitely lost some focus, and I definitely miss you guys!! I am so anxious for our books to arrive (which should happen today if tracking info. is correct!) so we can be in touch regularly again. Although blogging together can never duplicate some of the side-splitting one liners our group shared! (The only time I've laughed that hard since NOG is last night when my 11-year-old put all 10 sweatbands that he got at CHAOS around his head at once. He looked either like someone with a major head wound or like his brains were going to pop out the top of his head at any moment from the pressure!)

Even though I haven't had as much occasion to laugh since our NOG group ended, God is good and faithful, and He's continued to speak to me about the things I was learning through our study. Beth Moore and her daughter Amanda both shared posts recently that really ministered to me in what I'm learning right now. And this past week in the auditorium service Andrew reminded us about how God sometimes allows us to enter into things that are hard because that's the only way to sift out what needs sifting. More confirmation of that whole pruning thing that seems to by my life's theme right now. That's both encouraging and discouraging... Discouraging because I know the pruning season is likely to continue for a while, and encouraging because I trust God is in control of it for a great purpose. Making room for something greater than I can imagine, you know?

Anyway, I just wanted to touch base because I've been thinking about all of you (and this was the perfect time since I'm avoiding doing my garage sale sorting and laundry folding like I need to be.) I hope you girls are finding a way to stay connected to the Lord in this busy time of year. Let's not let what He showed us during NOG shrivel up without taking root in our hearts!
Love to you all~
Tiff

***UPDATE: My friendly mail delivery person (she's not a mailman) just dropped the package containing our books on my front porch! Prepare to be challenged: the first page I flipped open to is confronting the sin of frustration.... just witness me trying to get my kids out the door for church and you'll see me battling this one!