Respectable Sins Wrap-up

Hello, friends,
Well, this is a little late even though it was intended to happen a couple of weeks ago, but I think we need an official close to our Respectable Sins study. Though there has been some disappointment for all of us in both the "loneliness" and lack of luster for the study via blog after such a life-giving summer of meeting together, I still believe that God continued to teach us things individually. I know it was a lesson for me in perseverance, too--it feels good to be finished even though I didn't continue my blog activity to the end in the way I had intended.

So with that, I don't have any profound questions or thoughts, but I just want to create some space for us to share. Let us know how Respectable Sins changed thought patterns, made you think or frustrated you--no matter how many or few chapters of the book you read. Here are some questions for thought...

1. Did any "respectable sins" surprise you? Were you convinced (or not) that any of the topics in the book were sins that formerly you hadn't thought of as sinful?
2. Which topics were most difficult for you?
3. What feelings did the book raise in you?
4. Did the book change how you thought about sin and our relationship to God in it?
5. Do you have any other general thoughts or feelings you want to discuss?
6. What's next for the Noggies?? :)

Thanks to all of you for participating in the ways you have. I know our ability (and sometimes motivation) to do so has wavered, but I pray that the Lord still uses this concept to begin to change the way we think about how we live in a world that "respects" many things we know our Lord does not.

A respectable and forgiven sinner,

Beth :)

Confession

So, I made this confession to Beth a few weeks ago b/c I am so disappointed in myself that I haven't done a better job posting and even worse READING our book. I made it through two weeks and then I got so behind that I couldn't seem to catch up. I am sure I have a lot of reasons (excuses) for how I got so behind, but the fact is I feel bad and feel the need for confession. (It is good for the soul right? Here comes my need to be accepted and told "its okay, Rochelle,"rearing its ugly head!)

One thing I dare to wonder is whether I subconsciously don't want to read the book because it is hard and it challenges me and makes me feel bad about myself. Perhaps?

Thanks to Beth who faithfully posts questions and her thoughts every week. Thanks to those that post in response. I wish the blog study would have worked out better than it has.

Something I read on Fliphemena today:

We generally associate well-being with the presence of God and assume that suffering means someone has done something wrong ... And of course, it is true that pain was not part of God's original plan, and the day is coming when he will wipe every tear from every eye. And yet ... While God hates pain, he can also redeem it. It does not mean he is absent. Years ago [I] helped conduct a survey that asked thousands of people what had most contributed to their spiritual growth. The number one answer was pain.
In "summer" I am tempted to think that because of my success, wealth, reputation, virtue, faith, I'm in control. My life will unfold how and when I want it to. In "winter" I learn I'm not running things after all. Somebody once said that the biggest difference between you and God is that God doesn't think he's you. In pain, we get very clear about not being God.
Over time, although I never wanted to feel pain, I came to see that it was doing much good in me. I became much more aware of how everything meaningful in life rides on God. I became much more dependent on him.

I just thought the first two paragraphs very well explain my life most of the time. In general, as long as I (and my family) has their health, wealth, success, etc. I feel in control. And when I'm in control, I block "hard/challenging stuff" out. I just want to relax, live freely, be "happy," not worry. Why is it so hard to stay cognizant of spiritual things? I hate that I am so fickle. So "on the surface."

Anyway, just thought I'd reach out and post something, even if I haven't read most of the book.

Hope you all are doing well!

Judgmentalism & Sins of the Tongue

Once again I am behind on getting these posted...so far behind! My apologies. Here are the questions for thought and discussion from Ch. 17 & 19.

Study Questions

1. "Judgmentalism begins," writes the author, when "we equate our opinions with truth." What's the difference between a preference for something and a Bible-based conviction?
2. Paul faced judgmentalism head-on (Romans 14). How would you describe Paul's response in Romans 14:4-5? What position did Paul take concerning the personal convictions of what people ate or special days they observed?
3. What do you think is the proper balance between a) standing up for key biblical doctrine, and b) expressing disagreement with advocates of unsound doctrine in ways that do not degenerate into character assassination?
4. How do we know that God takes "respectable" sins of the tongue seriously? (See Matthew 12:36-37.)
5. Which word pictures did James use in James 3:1-12 to illustrated the tongue's power and sinful effects? What did he want us to realize?

Discussion Questions

1. Biblically, when should we pass judgment on the practices and beliefs of other believers? What criteria must we use? Read Romans 1:24-32; Galatians 5:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:1-5. How is the perspective of Bible-based confrontation different from much of our society's emphasis on "tolerance"?
2. How have Christians' judgmentalism and sinful speech affected their churches? Their witness in the local community?
3. Jerry writes: "Note Paul's absolute prohibition [in Eph. 4:29]. No corrupting talk. None whatsoever. This means no gossip, no sarcasm, no critical speech, no harsh words.... Think about what the church of Jesus Christ would look like if we all sought to apply Paul's words." if indeed we could live and worship together in this way, what would the body of Christ be like? What are we each willing to do in order to help make that happen?

Personal Reflection:

1. How do you feel wehn you are with someone who continually practices judgmentalism--having a critical spirit and finding fault with everyone and everything? Why do you think a critical spirit is so damaging?
2. Which sins of the tongue tempt you the most?
3. Based on your speech, what is in your heart? What might the Holy Spirit be prompting you to do about it?
4. For the next two days, ask yourself, "Will what I'm about to say tend to tear down or build up the person to whom I speak (or about whom I speak)?