ST NICOLAS, NEWBURY

HOME GROUP QUESTIONS

BASIC CHRISTIANITY - 6 - THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN

For home groups that would like them, here are some questions based on Sunday morning's teaching material. There's no need to answer them all - just tackle the ones you have time for. You don't need to stick to the areas mentioned here - feel free to discuss any other issues that arise for you.

1. How would you answer someone who suggested that Christians are unhealthily obsessed with sin?

2. Read Isaiah 6:1-8. How does Isaiah react to what he sees? Why?

3. St Paul is very clear: 'The wages of sin is death' (Romans 6:23). What does he mean? Why is this inevitably the case? Why is sin such a problem for God?

4. Have a look at Isaiah 59:1-3. Why is it that God 'will not hear'? (verse 3)? Could he if he wanted to?

5. Please turn now to Mark 7:14-23. According to Jesus, where does sin come from? How does his analysis differ from that of many in the world around us? How do you think we can account for this difference?

6. On another occasion, Jesus said 'I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.' (John 8:34). How do you respond to the idea that we are in bondage? Can you think of any examples of this?

7. 'It is no use giving us rules about how to behave; we cannot keep them.' So should we give up rules altogether? Why or why not?

8. Read Matthew 22:34-40. How would you respond to someone who suggested that we need the second great commandment but not the first?

9. In what ways does sin have an impact on our relatioships with other people? Why is this?

10. "Only when we have realized and faced up to the seriousness of what we are suffering from will we admit our urgent need for a cure." Take some time to pray for the church's vital ministry in helping people to understand and accept this.

David Stone
18 January 2009