Kingdom Questions: What do we do about sin? Part 2

This Sunday Jesus continues to shape how his people will address the reality of sin in their midst.  This is a contentious issue for many of us because we have such negative associations with legalistic churches.  It’s hard to imagine a way to take sin seriously while remaining humble, welcoming and self-reflective.  But in this passage Jesus lays out two practices for his people to follow, and what we learn is that by these practices God’s people will address sin, not through judgmentalism and legalism, but by embodying the heart of God for the sinner.

Discussion Questions

1. 1. What stuck out to you about the way Jesus tells us to confront offenses in the church? How is it different than the way we typically deal with hurt?
2. What does this process reveal about the heart of God?
3. When someone hurts you, how do you typically respond? How can you grow to better reflect the heart of God for other people?
4. What is the reason that Jesus gives for why we should always be willing to forgive? What makes forgiveness difficult for you? How does the news of what Jesus has done for us in the cross encourage us toward forgiveness?
5. Take some time to pray. Are there ways others have hurt you that you need to bring up or forgive? Are there ways that you have hurt others that you need to confess? Are there other sins that you have been entertaining that you need to confess so that you can be encouraged toward holiness by your community group?