Sin

1 · Icebreaker · 7 min

Open the room

What is a rule you broke as a kid that you were sure no one would notice?

Leader. Laugh and move. Do not collect childhood shame stories. That is the devotion’s question, and it is already done. Say that passing is allowed, especially the first few weeks.

2 · The word · 8 min

See it, then say it

Definition, from the book

Sin is any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, or nature, whether by doing what God forbids or failing to do what He commands.

In the original language

Greek hamartia — to miss the mark, to err, to trespass.

Memory verse · Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Together, open the flashcard for Sin. Say the word, the definition, and the verse once. Then put the phone away.

3 · Open the Bible · 15 min

Matthew 5:21–22, 27–28

Jesus moves the target from the act to the heart. The devotion already pressed guilt, Romans 2, and the Pharisee and the tax collector. Stay in the Sermon on the Mount.

You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.” But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment. You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Have two readers if you can. Bibles open. The excerpt is only here so a forgotten Bible does not stop the night.

From the passage

1. 1.According to Jesus, where does the arrow leave the path — only when the act happens, or earlier?Core

   Leader. Anger and lust are already off the mark. The heart is in bounds or out of bounds before the hands move.

2. 2.Who is Jesus talking to — obvious criminals, or religious people who thought they were hitting the target?

   Leader. Disciples and crowds who knew the commandments. Respectable missing still misses.

4 · Around the room · 20 min

A conversation this chapter did not assign

1. 3.James 4:17 says that knowing the right thing and failing to do it is sin. The drawing has arrows that were never shot. Why is omission harder for us to call sin than a loud failure?Core

   Leader. We prosecute what we did. God also names what we withheld: truth, help, worship, justice.

2. 4.Romans 3:23 says we fall short of the glory of God, not of other people. Why do we prefer to grade ourselves on a curve?

   Leader. Comparison keeps us feeling like archers. The standard is God’s own glory.

3. 5.1 John 1:8–9 says denying sin is self-deception, and confessing it is the way into fellowship. What makes honest confession feel dangerous in a group like this?

   Leader. Image, leadership, family roles. You are not asking anyone to dump a secret tonight. You are asking why the room stays polished.

5 · Say it · 5 min

In one sentence

Sin is missing God’s mark in what we do, what we want, and what we fail to do.

Ask for two volunteers, not the whole circle. They may look at the sentence, then try it without looking. Clumsy and true is the goal.

6 · Pray · 8 min

Leave silence between these

1. Ask God to show the group the real target, not a softer one.
2. Confess, in silence, one miss you have renamed as a personality trait.
3. Thank Him that diagnosis is mercy when a Physician is in the room. Do not preach week 19. Just do not leave them in the grass.