You’re Not The Boss Of Me, Part 2: “Guilt”
October 8, 2023

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Message Review

When it comes to guilt, many of us naturally lean in one of two ways: we wallow in it by reliving the past, or we deny it by making excuses. In either instance, guilt is causing us to be out of balance. The apostle Paul reminds us that, because of Jesus, guilt is not the boss of us.  

Main Point: We all experience competing emotions, but we can choose not to let them control us. 

Scripture References: Matthew 15:17-20; Proverbs 4:23; Romans 8:1-4 

Bible Study      

The focus Bible passage from the sermon was Romans 8:1-11. Before going to the Sermon Discussion Questions, study the passage by reading through it together, then talk through it using the Inductive Bible Study Method questions that follow:

  • Context: Discuss the context of this passage (i.e. when it was written, who wrote it, who it was written to, what was going on before and/or after this specific passage, etc.)

  • Observation: What do you notice in this passage?  What words or phrases stick out to you? And why?

  • Interpretation: What was Jesus’s original intent in this passage?  What main point(s) was he trying to communicate, and why is that important?

  • Application: What is one key takeaway or insight you had from this passage? How can or should you apply it to your life?

  • Questions: What questions/tensions do you have from this passage that you would like to discuss?

Discussion Questions

  • What were your initial thoughts or takeaways from the sermon and why? 

  • Pastor Matt used a Skittles jar to illustrate that what comes out of us is already inside us. What did you think of the illustration? 

  • Why is it that what is in our hearts always spills out first to those closest to us? 

  • Read Proverbs 4:23 as a group. Why do you think Solomon said this about guarding your heart? 

  • When you think of guilt what words or images come to mind? 

  • Guilt can throw us off balance and become our boss. Do you agree that denying or being defined by guilt gives it power? Why or why not? 

  • Read Romans 8:1-4again as a group. What is Paul trying to communicate in these verses? 

  • In your words what does it mean that you are guilty but not condemned? 

  • As a follower of Jesus, you relinquish the right to condemn yourself because you do not belong to yourself. What emotions does this statement evoke? 

  • Since you have not been condemned, you have no right to condemn others. Because of this as followers of Jesus, how should we treat others? 

  • Why do you think that we fear the consequences of confession more than the consequences of concealment? 

  • How can we move forward while acknowledging that the past may influence us, but it does not have to define us? 

To watch or listen to Sunday’s sermon, visit our Sermons page.