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Scripture and questions for study and reflection:

We are continuing our Lenten church-wide sermon series, \\u201cNo Wonder They Crucified Him.\\u201d Last week we talked about the \\u201ccircle of grace,\\u201d and the measure we use to judge other people will be used in judging us. Was that an eye-opening message? Did it make you think/re-think some areas of your life. If so, then you are using the season of Lent effectively. Share with the group any changes you are making in your life regarding judging others.

1. This morning we are taking a closer look at ourselves, specifically our own propensity to sin. Jesus is very clear that we need to do whatever it takes to avoid sin. He even goes as far as telling us to gouge out our eye or cut off our hand if those things cause us to sin. Do you think Jesus was speaking literally or using hyperbole (exaggeration to make a point)? Either way, why do you think Jesus gave such a difficult (seemingly impossible) command?

2. The author of this study shares an excerpt from a poem that goes like this: \\u201c\\u2019Who\\u2019s there?\\u2019 I cried, \\u2018A little tiny sin.\\u2019 \\u2018Enter,\\u2019 I said. And all hell came in.\\u201d What do you think this means? Can you think of any instances (or stories) of where a \\u201clittle tiny sin\\u201d snowballed into something much worse?

3. In Philippians 4:8-9 Paul says, \\u201cFinally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable\\u2014if anything is excellent or praiseworthy\\u2014think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me\\u2014put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.\\u201d Why do you think Paul says this? How can keeping our mind on such good and positive things help us to avoid sin and its consequences?

4. The author of the study says we need to \\u201cprotect our perimeters\\u201d and that \\u201cthe victory is won at the perimeter.\\u201d What does this mean to you? How can you do a better job of \\u201cprotecting your perimeter\\u201d?

Prayer of the Week:

Dear Lord, please help us to guard our hearts as well as our minds, protecting our perimeters so that we don\\u2019t let sin come in and give the devil a foothold. Help us be ever aware and on guard against our human tendency to let our lusts and desires control our lives. As the beloved hymn goes, \\u201cProne to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love; here\\u2019s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.\\u201d In Jesus\\u2019 name we pray. Amen.