The Forgiveness of Sins

Scripture and Questions for Study and Reflection:

Read Romans 3: 21-25

1. Read the Apostles’ Creed together as a group... I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

2. Pastor Mick said that this week’s part of the Creed focuses on “grace not guilt.” What did he mean by that? Do you agree? Why/why not?

3. What does “sin” mean to you? How does the definition of “missing the mark” fit with how you traditionally think of sin? How often do you miss the mark?

4. Pastor Mick said “sin separates.” What did he mean by that?

5. What did you think about Pastor Mick’s example using a horizontal and vertical view of sin? Have you ever thought about it like that before? Do you agree? Why/why not?

6. Walk through the Romans Road to salvation (Romans 3: 23, 6: 23, 5: 8, 3: 25, 10: 13 and 10: 9). Do you find this helpful in understanding salvation? Could you use this to share the Good News of salvation with others

7. Why is it important that we forgive others? What happens if we don’t forgive others?

Prayer for the Week:

Almighty God, thank you for sending your Son to take the punishment we deserve for our sins. Thank you for nailing all of our sins, past, present and future, to the cross on Calvary. Thank you for reconciling our lives to you, eliminating our separation from you, and drawing us back into a deep and abiding relationship with you. Forgive us for the times we fail to forgive others as you forgive us. Forgive us for the times we try to rank others’ sins as worse than ours. Forgive us for the times we have been hurtful and judgmental. Help us to do better. Mold us more and more into the image of Jesus every day; so that when others see us, they see you. Help us to be your agents of healing and wholeness in this hurting and broken world. We love you, Lord, and we pray all of this in the strong name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.