One Prayer: Make us Free from Shame

Series: One Prayer
Lord, Make us Free from Shame by Rick Bezet, June 15, 2008

We are continuing with the One Prayer series that links us with over 800,000 Christ-followers and 1400 churches all over the world. This week we look at something that separates us from God in a big way: our shame. (Note: it could be useful to have a Bible handy in a group discussion to take a look at Psalms 51 and 32 and even the long passages in Romans 7 and 8 that Rick used in the message - see below).

1. Rick started his message standing above the Grand Canyon... and looking at that 18 mile expanse from one side of the canyon to another. Have you ever been there? If so, tell a little bit a of your Grand Canyon experiences... or think for a minute about any experience you've had in nature where you've been overwhelmed with a sense of vast space. (5 - 10 minutes)

2. The comparison that Rick made is the vast distance that can grow between someone and God (and also between people) because of shame. But, before talking about distance, take some time to talk about a couple of words that we could understand better: Shame and Repentance. First “shame: What is it and what causes it? Then “repent”: What does that word mean to you? How can it be misunderstood? (5 - 10 minutes)

3. Rick told a story about a ticket he got from a patrolman. He said that we often think of God as being like a policeman. What do you think? Do you tend to see God that way, or if not you, then do other people? Why? (Describe different ways people might see God as like a cop). (10 minutes)

4. Next, what about the idea of separation/distance and shame? Have you ever had an experience in your own life where shame – yours or someone else’s, separated you from someone ? This could be something “big” or something “small”. Take time for those who’d like to talk about their personal experience with separation from shame. (10 - 15 minutes)

5. Rick described how God does not want there to be any distance between us and Him, and Jesus was His solution (see verses below for relevant explanations from the Bible). As Rick noted, when we “repent” we can wipe out that distance (see note on Psalms 51 and 32 below). First, discuss what would it “feel” like to be completely without shame. So, if we can get forgiveness, why do you think shame is such a problem in our relationship with God? Talk about what keeps us from getting there. (10 - 15 minutes)

6. So what about you? Does any of this ring true? Anything you have shame about, that you can’t let go? Take some time to think about that and then to talk to God. You can leave it behind by using the bridge that God built across the Grand Canyon in Jesus. Think about writing down whatever “it” is on a piece of paper and then tearing it up or scratching it out before God, and know that’s what He has done with it. Gone. (5 minutes)

Bible verses from the message
So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Romans 7: 21-24

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Romans 8: 15-16

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:33-34

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. Genesis 2:25

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:7-8

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. Acts 7:55-58

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:7

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

For an example of repentance in the Bible, check out Psalm 51 where David pours out his “shame” to God and asks for repentance, and Psalm 32 where he talks about getting God's forgiveness.

Want to get more/go farther?

• You can listen to this message - and other ones too at Gateway Messages.


• Get an idea of where you are in your spiritual journey and customize your own next steps at Gateway's Discover, Develop, Deepen website.


• Want support in some area of your life - maybe where you are struggling with shame? There are different ways to get help at Gateway's Support and Recovery ministries.


• Need personal help with something big (or little)? Biblically-based professional counseling is available with Merry Fiske.


• Search for other topics you want to know more about Gateway's online Bookstore. or go to the virtual Bookstore on the second level of the auditorum at Gateway's main campus.

One Prayer

Series: One Prayer
One Prayer by Craig Groeschel, June 8, 2008
Gateway is doing all sorts of different things this summer… and this week we began a four-part series in the “One Prayer” initiative (you can check it out on-line at http://www.oneprayer.com/). Over 1400 churches are doing One Prayer at the same time, with the purpose of being a unified force in our communities and in the world for good – and in doing that, to be true to Jesus’ prayer for us to be ONE (see John 17: 21 below). This week we saw a video by the guy who started the One Prayer program, Craig Groeschel from LifeChurch.tv, and the Secon Helping questions are built around Craig’s video and the One Prayer materials.

1. SO, what do you think about the need for this program? Is there a need for the church (defined as all Jesus followers) to unite? Discuss why or why not. (5 minutes)

2. Clearly there is a LOT of diversity in “the church”, but try to be specific about how. In there group, try to list major ways there are difference across all those who follow Christ. Then talk about how that diversity is/can be a positive thing. Can it help the world know Christ better? What are other benefits of diversity? (10 minutes)

3. So what about diversity in your experience. Austin is a diverse place. Have you had an opportunity to work/play/live/”do church” with people very different from you? If so, try to think about some event and impact of having different types of people had on the outcome. How did it make the event more difficult and/or how did it make things better? (10 – 15 minutes)

4. What about God and God’s character? Does God have diversity in who He is? Take some time to talk about the idea of “diversity” in God’s character. Then consider Deuteronomy 6:4, where Moses says: “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Discuss how the idea of “oneness” and “diversity” both apply to God. (10 minutes)

5. Since one of the goals of One Prayer is to have impact in our communities and our world, think about that for a minute: What could be some specific outcomes of all the churches who follow Jesus, seeing themselves linked in trying to act like Jesus wanted His followers to act? What could be accomplished? Next, what could be accomplished in Austin? (10 minutes)

6. Rather than ending with personal reflection this time – end with GROUP reflection: Is there some one small thing in the “world” of those in your group where your group could be “one” – and have a direct impact? Take some time for each person to think of possible ways your group could together do something “outside” (think as big as you want… but in this case, start with one small thing). Then share your suggestions and see if there is one idea that you would like to do as a group (and remember – ONENESS is the goal!). If there is something clear, make plans for how to do this. If not, then you can agree to pray about 2-3 ideas and then decide next time. (15 minutes)

Bible Verses from the message

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17:20-21

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales. Act 4:32-34

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit… Matthew 28:19

Want to get more/go farther?

• Be sure to check out the One Prayer website. You can join with thousands of Christ-followers around the world in prayer for the Church and this program. There is other information, next steps and devotionals on the One Prayer website.
• You can listen to Craig Groeschel's message - and other ones too, at Gateway Messages. Craig has several books and DVD's you can learn more about through the Gateway virtual Bookstore.
• Get an idea of where you are in your spiritual journey and customize your own next steps at Gateway's Discover, Develop, Deepen website.
• Investigate and get plugged into ways Gateway is meeting needs throughout our community at the Community Care website - or learn more about our involvement in global issues at Gateway Mobilization.
• Search for other topics you want to know more about Gateway's online Bookstore. or go to the actual Bookstore on the second level of the auditorum at Gateway's main campus.

Dialogue with the World

Series: Dialogue with the World
Questions about Christianity by John Burke, June 1, 2008
This lesson was distinctly different from any others. Due to John’s illness two weeks ago and his travel last week, the discussion with leaders from different religions was postponed. Sill, John DID stay with the theme of this series, Dialogue with the World, but in this case it the Dialogue was with John. People text-messaged questions for John to answer. So, this week, Second Helping is based on your questions too. You’ll pick the questions to discuss in the group (Note: you’ll need some paper and pen/pencil before you get started.)

1. Begin with a couple of minutes to just think about your own questions about God, spirituality, the Bible, Jesus, heaven, hell… whatever. Write down the top three questions you would like to discuss. (Note: some might be questions that were discussed by John, but that you’d like to explore more and discuss in the group. There is a “cheat sheet” list of questions that were covered during the first two services below. But try not to look until you’ve spent some time thinking about your own questions) Next, go around the group and have each person read their top two questions. After everyone has nominated questions, get a list of those that were most common and work through those with discussion. (Just in case you have more time, you can go to question # 3). (45 - 50 minutes)

Before you start, keep in mind a couple of guidelines:

• As John said, not all questions are created equal. There are some questions that are key questions of faith… sort of foundational issues that really impact whether one can accept the whole idea of belief in Jesus as Savior (i.e., “Did Jesus claim to be God?”). Then there are some questions where sincere, reasonable Christ-followers can have differences of opinion that are impossible to resolve… but might be interesting to discuss (i.e., “Do we have free will or are our lives predestined?” or “Did creation happen through evolution or in one week?”). Last, there can be those that we will NEVER be able to answer given our limited existence in time and space (i.e., “What will it be like to live forever?”). (John also said there were silly questions.. i.e., “Can God make a rock so big He can’t lift it?”… but clearly that doesn’t count here). As John did, in your discussion, try to focus on the first type – central questions… or perhaps even the second type as long as everyone understand that any “answers” will be personal opinion.


• Next, be sure to keep an open mind. Jesus said that we could know the Truth, and it could set us free. Gateway values include open and honest questions… so remember the point is not to out-argue, but to sincerely and lovingly seek Truth together.

2. After the discuss, stop and think again. Did anything set you thinking in a different way? Is there more you need to learn? No doubt you addressed important question… questions at the heart of how you live your life and think about and relate to God. So, take a couple of minutes to write what YOU want to know more about and how you will start – a real, concrete “next step” you can do this coming week. Surely it delights God to know that someone is hoping to know Him better. (5 minutes)

3. End by discussing whether there are any big questions left “hanging”. If so, nominate someone in the group to go to the Second Helpings website and list those questions. In response, we’ll post reading ideas, Bible passages and other thoughts to those that are the big puzzlers in the group discussions. (5 - 10 minutes)

Questions from the Dialogue with John (for John’s answers you can listen/download the message at the Gateway Message Archive)
1. How do you “know” God is there?
2. Why do someone have to believe in “Jesus”… why can’t they just be a good moral person?
3. What happens to people who died without hearing about Jesus?
4. Why don’t Protestant Christians pray to the Virgin Mary?
5. If Christians are supposed to search for world peace, why is there so much fighting in the Bible?
6. Why did Jesus have to die to forgive my sins? Why didn’t God just forgive if He wants to forgive?
7. Will we meet spiritual leaders such as the Dali Lama in heaven?
8. Why are there so many different religions? 10. What happens to “non” christens when they die? Will non-Christians go to hell?
9. How do Adam and Eve tie in w/ the dinasours? Can I be a Christian an believe in evolution?
10. Did God pick people to go to heaven and earth?
11. Are Jesus and God one and the same?
12. Why does God forgive murderers and people who hurt children?
13. How can you know that the Bible is true when it was written by “man”?
14. How can you reconcile the vengeful God of the Old Testament and the loving/self-sacrificing God of the New Testament?

Want to get more/go farther?

• You can listen to this message - and other ones too at Gateway Messages.
• Get an idea of where you are in your spiritual journey and customize your own next steps at Gateway's Discover, Develop, Deepen website.
• Check out some books:
Read more about what C.S. Lewis says about Moral Laws in the Abolution of Man Learn about one scientist's road to belief in The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief, by Francis S. Collins.

Read a systematic walk through the evidence that supports Christianity in The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
Similar themes are covered in Evidence for Christianity by Josh McDowell, The Verdict of History by Gary R. Habermas (at Amazon.com) and Science Speaks by Peter Stoner (at Amazon.com)

• Search for other topics you want to know more about Gateway's online Bookstore. or go to the virtual Bookstore on the second level of the auditorum at Gateway's main campus.