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?
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.
Labels: forgiveness, Grand Canyon, Shame
posted by Linda Gerber @ 10:24 AM
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