SERMON NOTES, 11/12/23

NOTE: Since we had a special Renewal Service on 11.12.23 and The Prayer Course curriculum that corresponds with our Sunday series doesn’t set aside a specific session about confession, we would encourage your groups to watch session 6 – “Time to Cancel the Debt” found in the Ioannis Dekas’ series The Lord’s Prayer: The Pattern on RightNow Media. Then, discuss the reflection questions below.

ACC Group Reflection Questions for 11/12/23

1. If you feel comfortable to do so, share about a time when someone helped you pay off a loan or bailed you out financially in some other way (or just from a bad decision).

2. How did the Spirit of God speak to you the most in the video “Time to Cancel the Debt”?

3. Read the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Then, read twice Matthew 6:12. The word forgive as it’s used in this context means to release, or to set free, or to deliberately send away. And the word debt used in the Lord’s Prayer is only used twice in the New Testament and it describes a loan which is justly, legally due, but which is impossible to ever repay. Ioannis explains that sometimes the reason we struggle to forgive someone is because we struggle to receive forgiveness ourselves. Do you agree? Why, or why not? What would it look like for you to accept God’s forgiveness and intentionally send away the debt you owe?

4. Romans 4:4 (review it) is the only other place this particular word for debt is used. Using Abraham as an example, Paul explains in this chapter of Romans that God doesn’t just bring our account to zero by cancelling our debt. He adds to our account, so that we have a credit of righteousness. We can’t earn this lavish gift through the best of works. It’s all an outpouring of God’s grace. How did Abraham exemplify the ‘Let Us make’ and ‘Let them have’ relationship God has designed us to enjoy with Him? How would you explain the word ‘righteousness’ to a new believer? Do you ever find yourself trying to work your way back into God’s favor? If so, why? What will it take for you to really believe—really feel—that your debt has been cancelled?

5. Based on our Renewal Service this past Sunday, why do think it is vital at times that the people of God confess their corporate sins? What is confusing about this act of humility and beneficial? How have you seen it be useful to a congregation? See Ezra 10:1-2 for example of corporate confession.

6. Who do you need to forgive? And if not another, is it yourself? How would forgiving them or yourself be a declaration of who they are to God, and how He sees them? How might your forgiveness of this person or yourself alter the trajectory of their future, and yours?