"So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate." -Genesis 3:6 (ESV)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." -John 3:16 (NIV)
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." -Romans 3:23-24 (NIV)
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." -I John 1:9 (ESV)
Introduction:
What is sin? Often we think of sin as doing something wrong. When related to the Bible and God, sin would be doing something that goes against God's natural law. It may be easy to define sin, but it can be harder to recognize it in our lives. One thing we know is that all of us have sinned. Beginning with Adam and Eve, we are separated from God because of our sin.
As we begin the new year, we can reflect on new beginnings or maybe even resolutions to be better in the upcoming days, months, and year. To start making changes in our lives, we need to reflect on and recognize our shortcomings and areas in which we can improve. Throughout this first week, consider the scripture verses above and the questions below. We can focus on sin in our lives and the redemptive power in the blood of Jesus Christ that allows us to have a fresh start...not just at the new year!
Sunday:
Sin can enter all parts of our lives. If we are not vigilant, the devil's voice, whether from the serpent, other people, or in our hearts and minds, can infiltrate our thoughts and seep into our actions.
*As you reflect on the past and consider the present, in what areas of life do you need to be more aware of sin?
*How does sin impact your thoughts and actions?
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the redemption that You provide through Jesus Christ. Please help me to recognize my sin, forgive me, and help me to live a better life for You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
Monday:
Sin can creep into our lives without us even being aware of its presence. If we are not focused on God and His Word, we can be distracted by the messages experienced in this world.
*As you think about sin, how has sin crept into your life without being recognized right away?
*How can you be more aware of sin in the world around you and its presence in your life?
*What can you do to maintain a focus on God and to work against sin in your life?
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the redemption that You provide through Jesus Christ. Please help me to recognize my sin, forgive me, and help me to live a better life for You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
Tuesday:
Sin can persist in our lives if we are not active in recognizing it and correcting our actions. Getting rid of sin on our own is impossible. We need to build a relationship with God to help us recognize and fight against sin in our lives.
*Do you need to be aware of sin in order to address it in your life?
*How can you build a relationship with God to help you recognize and fight against sin?
*After praying to God, listen to Him and consider: What is God trying to do to help me overcome sin in my life?
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the redemption that You provide through Jesus Christ. Please help me to recognize my sin, forgive me, and help me to live a better life for You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
Wednesday:
Even though we will continue to sin throughout our lives, we do have a path to forgiveness and redemption. God sent His Son to be our sacrifice. We just need to believe in Him and commit to following God.
*Once we accept Jesus as our Savior, how do our lives change?
*What does it mean to you to live a life in God, redeemed from your sin?
*How does God's forgiveness affect your life on earth?
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the redemption that You provide through Jesus Christ. Please help me to recognize my sin, forgive me, and help me to live a better life for You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
Thursday:
We know we all sin. We know that God offers forgiveness. However, we need to acknowledge these things. We need to go to God and confess our sin. We need to repent and commit to following Him in all areas of our lives.
*Do you think it is important to confess your sin to God and to repent?
*How often to you talk to God to confess and repent?
*What happens after you confess and repent your sin?
*How is God active in your life?
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the redemption that You provide through Jesus Christ. Please help me to recognize my sin, forgive me, and help me to live a better life for You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
Friday:
There may be times when we would rather ignore some or all of our sin. We may be ashamed. We may be unaware of its impacts on our lives and the lives of others. We may think that it really isn't a big deal in the overall picture of our lives. However, sin is something that we should always take seriously.
*Why should we take sin seriously - no matter how big or small we may think they are?
*How can our response to sin impact our lives and our relationship with God?
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the redemption that You provide through Jesus Christ. Please help me to recognize my sin, forgive me, and help me to live a better life for You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
Saturday:
Reflect on this week and the fresh start that God offers through Jesus Christ. This new beginning is not limited to the new year and to resolutions. Consider how God is always present and ready to help you "get on track" and be restored in His Kingdom!
*How does reflecting on your sin and salvation help you in your life?
*How can you be active in seeking a closer relationship with God?
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the redemption that You provide through Jesus Christ. Please help me to recognize my sin, forgive me, and help me to live a better life for You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.