Freedom through Repentance (01.31.22)
Processing and responding to the Sunday sermon
Opening Prayer
After the group welcomes one another, have one person open in prayer and then take 2-3 minutes of silence. As you sit in silence, ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart in love toward God and your group mates.
The Call to Repentance
On Sunday, Melissa preached on King Herod and the murder of John the Baptist Mark 6:14-29.
Herod was a person who considered himself a king but had no kingdom. Yet he was intrigued by John’s message while off-put by the need to repent. Ultimately, Herod did not heed John’s call to repent and killed him.
Built into this story from scripture is a call for all of us to a lifestyle of repentance, which is actually very good and liberating news! Melissa taught how repentance comes in three steps:
1. Responsibility: “I did that.”
2. Remorse: “I feel bad.”
3. Redirection: “I’m not going to do that anymore.”
Reflection and Discussion
Read Mark 6:14-29 and then prayerfully and silently reflect on the passage and these questions.
- What do you believe allowed Herod to be intrigued by John but stop short of repenting?
- How do you see yourself in this story? How have you resisted a call to repentance in your life?
After silently reflecting, take these thoughts into a time of group discussion.
- How does this passage surprise or challenge you?
- As a form of seeking accountability from people you trust, what would you like to repent from?
Closing Intercession
Pray for your group, our church, our city, and our world.