A Bad Case of the Meh's (Part 3): Hiding

TO START

This Sunday, we entered part 3 of a series called A Bad Case of the Meh’s. When we find ourselves in a difficult place of shame with God or others, we can find ourselves depressed, despondent and dry towards God. Nothing is terrific or terrible. We want to do something but nothing sounds good. It moves us from wrong actions to feeling wrong about our being. And it’s true that shame takes, but the good news of God is that God gives. God doesn’t walk out or walk away. God walks towards us.

  • When you think of sin, what are the first things you think of? How would you define it?

This week we are inviting your group to choose questions from the multiple options below.  Our hope is that these questions might help you to lead your discussion in a way that makes sense for your group this week as y’all “talk it out” and “live it out”.

TALK IT OUT AFTER READING GENESIS 3:1-12

STUDY 

  • Where and how do you see separation and broken relationships in the story of Adam & Eve in the garden?

  • When Adam & Eve figured out they had disobeyed God, they hid. Are there other examples of this type of response to sin in Scripture?

  • What is the significance of God asking questions if He already knows the answers?

PROCESS

  • Have you had a moment where you look back at what you thought was a good decision to realize it left you burned, others burned OR it’s burned into your mind?

  • Is there something shame-filled in your life that keeps you from living in freedom right now?

  • Why does the belief that God doesn’t love us or want what’s best for us lead us to sinful choices?

LIVE IT OUT 

PRACTICE

  • Can you think of someone in your life that you have heaped shame onto, someone you need to mend your relationship with?

  • In what ways have you tasted and seen the goodness, forgiveness, and freedom of God?

  • In what ways could you choose to lessen the relational gap between you and God? What rhythms or habits might increase your intimacy with God?

PRAY

  • Invite the group into a minute of silence and simply ask them to answer the following prompt in their head, “Part of sharing life with God is sharing where there is shame in the most private places of our heart and detangling that lie… think of one area where this is true in your life right now and name it before God.”... After that, pray for God to free each member from the shame that is trying to lock them up. 

Matt DeLano