Regret

October 30, 2011 Vol. 11, No. 195

WORSHIP
Suggested Worship Songs: Blessed Be Your Name / Lord We Lift Your Name On High / Forever Oh Lord /

WELCOME
Icebreaker: Spot The Difference

Show at least three sets of Spot the Difference puzzle to the group, from easy to medium to difficult category. Relate this icebreaker with the Christian life. How can the world spot the difference between the people of the world and the followers of Christ?

WORD

Regret
James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Regret is based on future outcome. The best way to escape future regret is to prevent it from culminating one of these days. If you want to prevent future regrets, then be proactive today, i.e. study diligently now, so you wouldnt have regrets in your future career and jobs; pray for Gods Best now, if you want to escape regrets on future marriage; keep a healthy lifestyle to prevent regrets on your health; etc. 1. External Grief (Worldly Regret) 2 Corinthians 7:10 . but worldly sorrow brings death External grief is all about your focus on yourself. It refers to your response to the bad outcome of your situations and choices you made.

because the actions may change, but the person is not. 2. Internal Remorse (Godly Regret) This is spiritual regret which is focused on your action against Gods law or purpose. This type of regret is accompanied by deep remorse, where there is change of heart, change of mind, and changed in the person. This regret leads to sorrow that is according to the will of God which produces repentance without regret, leading to salvation (2 Cor. 7:9-10 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, ). You are led to the crossroad of choice which gives you opportunity to UTurn.

It may be shallow like saying sorry for fear of discipline or reprisal. But it may lead to feelings of guilt, shame, despair, depression, self-pity, hopelessness, or bitterness, but it is only focused on self and has no redemptive value, i.e. Judas grief was sincere, but it did To repent is Gods will is for us to respond because He does not want us to suffer loss. Repentance is a not lead him back to Christ. purposeful decision to forsake all unrighteousness and It can be relational regrets (against others), personal pursue righteousness instead for Jesus. regrets (against yourself), or criminal regrets (against the law). It is doing or choosing to do something despite Godly sorrow is Gods grace giving you the the warnings, the truth and what is right, such as opportunity to get off the path youre on, and getting on pursuing a wrong relationship; taking up the most the right path instead (Matthew 7:13). Simply because it is popular or politically correct does not make it appropriate course for you in college, etc. right. Turn away from it and proceed to the narrow Worldly regret does not accomplish Gods work in us road.

3. Eternal Regret (Distracted Regret) 1 Timothy 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment This is the distracteds regret because distractions keep you from accomplishing Gods work through you. What we pay attention to is what we focused on. When were so focused on something, it blurs our attention on anything else. The danger here is, when we focus on the wrong thing, the important thing goes unnoticed. For example, bodily discipline is important but it is of little profit compared to Godliness or Christ likeness. One is good only for this life, but the other is good for life eternal. Most of us if not all, are running the rat race, and in so doing, we get distracted with our career, power,

rewards, wealth, security of retirement, etc. The chief source for eternal sorrow is our pursuit of worldly wealth. We work for money because we want security. We fear life so much because we fear God so little. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and it is likewise the secret to a worry-free life. Many people equate wealth with Godly blessings and a sign of our right standing with God. But why is it so that the scriptures will teach about wealth mostly in a negative context and will attach warnings with it (James 5:1-3), i.e. the rich fool (Luke 12:20); the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:25); the unrighteous steward (Luke 16:11). The best medicine to regret is prevention. Take only as needed. Use it as directed. Do not exceed Gods recommended allowance, and if symptoms of want and greed persist, consult your Bible.

Discussion Questions:
(Leaders: Please choose questions that are appropriate to the level of spiritual maturity of your members)
1. 2. 3. 4. Believer or Follower. Are you a believer or a follower? Why do you say so? What is the difference between the two? With Regrets. What are your regrets in life? What area in your life do you have the most regrets? Where do your regrets lead you? Share your story. Joy In Trials. (James 1:2-4) Can you honestly have joy when you experience various trials? Why? What are you learning about the passage? Gods Will & Warning. How do Gods will and warning work in your life? Where and how do you get to know His will and His warning? Why is it important to know them? Share your specific experience and what did you learn from it.

WORKS
The Funnel
Honestly speaking, where are you in this funnel? Religious - you simply go to church as a practice or habit, but have less or no knowledge about Jesus as the Way, the Truth and the Life. Knower you know Jesus from head knowledge Believer believe Jesus is who He says He is but still do not believe; youve probably memorized the Apostles Creed. Receiver receive Jesus and have given the name to be a child of God Follower (Luke 9:23) you are a committed follower of Christ. Discuss in during your breakout group, where are you in the funnel and why. We know that Gods agenda is for us to become Christlike by following Him. How can we help each other in the body of Christ to become committed followers of Christ?

True Riches
"The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.(John 10:10) Discuss the key to Gods true riches: Gods will. Do not love the world (1 John 2:15-17). Put your hope in God (1 Timothy 6:17). Godliness + Contentment (1 Timothy 6:6-12). Flee from the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10b-12. Trust in Him (Hebrews 13:5). Reflect on these passages. Write down how do you apply them in your life, and what will you specifically do to apply them truly in your life, starting this week. _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________