LG Questions :: 01-22-2012

“Not So Modern Family” :: 01-22-2012 :: Jeremiah Gomez

Life Group Questions @ Sandy Lake Wesleyan

Jeremiah shared a deeply personal story about inheriting a medical condition from his ancestors. He discovered in high school that his heart had a dysfunction that he would have to monitor for the rest of his life. Why did he tell this story, and how does it connect with the reality of the issues we’re exploring?

“Generational Sin” is defined as “Choosing our own agenda at the expense of God’s best.” It’s not a curse that must be accepted, but a pattern that must (and can!) be broken. Can you think of issues that some families struggle with, that seem to be multi-generational issues? How would you pray for these families?

The lineage of Abraham is filled with deception … What were some of the points Jeremiah brought up in his “conversation with Abe”? What was the point of him (Jeremiah) asking, “Was it your only option to lie, to deceive?” What other thoughts about Abraham’s lineage come to mind? Talk about it as a group…

Jeremiah asked us to revisit the idea of the “big lie” (which Pastor Shawn talked about last week), and Jeremiah talked about the deeper issues hiding behind the big lie. For example…

: Some people think that if they make enough money, gather enough stuff, then they will be secure. And the big lie in this case is this… God can’t be trusted to be my provider.

: Some people think that sexual conquest or fulfillment shouldn’t have to wait or be reserved for the context of marriage. And the big lie in this case is this… God can’t be trusted to make me whole and ultimately satisfy my deepest desires.

: What other “big lies” exist in our world today? Or even in our own hearts and minds?

Let’s pause and consider this: If there is dysfunction in your family, if there is generational sin… it can stop NOW. God can use YOU to break the cycle, the pattern of dysfunction and generational sin. Take a moment as a group, and see if anyone’s willing to share some issues in their life or their family’s lives that they want to break. Pause, share, and even take some moments to “interrupt” the study to pray together – right now – for God’s help.

Jeremiah continue to talk about his physical heart condition, and how he and Sarah prayed for Jubilee (his daughter), that she wouldn’t inherit his heart condition. He has to be on medication, has to be careful about loud noises, and even has to be careful about what rides he does and doesn’t go on at an amusement park. At one point, Jeremiah said, “What some could see as a great hindrance is actually a help to me.” How does this line – “What some could see as a great hindrance is actually a help to me” – connect with our desire to break the pattern of generational sin in our own lives or the lives of our families?

Read Ephesians 5:13 together, and talk about how God can help us expose the big lies in our own lives and the lives of our families.

We shouldn’t simply “stop it” like the video we watched. We should also turn to new patterns, to new boundaries, to new ways of living. In fact, read Ephesians 4:31 - 5:2 together and then discuss the ways we are to “get rid of” old stuff and “put on” new stuff.

Big question… Are you shaping your relationships, or are they shaping you? Take time to discuss this question. Why ask it this way? What are the implications if our relationships are shaping us, rather than the other way around?

What has the writer (Paul) been building up to in all of these previous Scriptures? Read Ephesians 5:21 together and find out.

Go back to the big question – Are you shaping your relationships, or are they shaping you? Is there anyone in your group that needs to break free from personal/family/generational sin? If the conditions in your group are right, take time for some gut-level, honest sharing. Pray for each other. Encourage each other. See if anyone is willing to risk sharing what they’re wrestling with.

In Closing: Read Ephesians 6:10-12, and discuss the reality that we are NOT fighting against our families, but we are fighting against an Enemy who wants to destroy our families. Our battle is NOT against flesh and blood, so let’s fight the good fight and persevere with the help of Christ! Take time to pray for each other, sharing words of confession or encouragement as necessary.