Rebuilding Hope: Part 7 - The Confession
MICRO CHURCH GUIDE
October 16, 2022
YouVersion
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Night of Worship, October 19
Do you love the OneLife worship experience on Sundays? Then you'll for sure love our Nights of Worship! It's happening Wednesday night, October 19th at 6:30pm. Our campuses and Micro Churches will all join together at our East campus for an extended time of music, prayer, communion, and a few other special surprises. We can't wait to see you there!OneLife Students Fall Events
OneLife Students Middle School Corn Maze, October 22
On Saturday, October 22nd, from 3pm to 7pm the Middle School students from both campuses will be headed to Oaks Farm Corn maze. This is a family event, so parents make sure you plan on being there too! The cost is $16 per person. Registration for both events is open now. Visit onelifeknox.com/students.
Halloween On Mission - Oct 22-31
Halloween is right around the corner, and it’s an incredible time for you to live on mission in your neighborhoods. So, October 22 - 31, that’s what we’re challenging all of our Micro Churches and other OneLifers to do! From neighborhood pumpkin carvings, to reverse trick-or-treating, to making your house the best stop in the neighborhood on Halloween night, and more - there are a tons of ways for you to use Halloween to open up opportunities for conversations and relationships in your neighborhoods. Visit onelifeknox.com/halloween for more information and ideas, and to sign up to be a part of Halloween on Mission.
Join a Volunteer Team
Did you know it takes over a hundred volunteers every week to make a service at OneLife happen at our campuses? So if you haven’t started volunteering, then it’s time to get on the team! From First Impressions & Security, to Kid City, to Production & Worship, to OneLife Students, weekday teams, and more - there’s plenty of opportunities for everyone to serve. Mark the Volunteering box on your Connection Card to get started!
Baptism
If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t gone public with your story through baptism then it’s time to take that step! Mark the baptism box on your Connection Card and we’ll help you get started.
Stay Connected Through the OneLife App
From watching services, to Micro Church discussion guides, to online giving, family resources and more - the OneLife app has everything you need to stay connected to what’s happening among our church. The app is also available on Apple TV and Roku so you can watch services on your TV at home! Download the mobile version of the app on your phone by going to onelifeknox.com/app on your phone’s web browser. And on Apple TV and Roku simply search the app store for “OneLife” and look for our logo.
____________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
http://www.onelifeknox.com/give
_____________________
BOTTOM LINE: Confession is the beginning of rebuilding hope.
Confess: to say the same thing, to agree with God
Nehemiah 9:1-3 NLT
1 On October 31 the people assembled again, and this time they fasted and dressed in burlap and sprinkled dust on their heads. 2 Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners as they confessed their own sins and the sins of their ancestors. 3 They remained standing in place for three hours while the Book of the Law of the Lord their God was read aloud to them. Then for three more hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the Lord their God.
Nehemiah 9:16-18 NLT
16 “But our ancestors were proud and stubborn, and they paid no attention to your commands. 17 They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them, 18 even when they made an idol shaped like a calf and said, ‘This is your god who brought you out of Egypt!’ They committed terrible blasphemies.
1. God’s past faithfulness proves that confession is worth it.
2. Idolatry is the root of all that needs to be confessed.
Idolatry: making something else more important than God.
Nehemiah 9:32-33 NLT
32 “And now, our God, the great and mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of unfailing love, do not let all the hardships we have suffered seem insignificant to you. Great trouble has come upon us and upon our kings and leaders and priests and prophets and ancestors—all of your people—from the days when the kings of Assyria first triumphed over us until now. 33 Every time you punished us you were being just. We have sinned greatly, and you gave us only what we deserved.
3. Confession takes total responsibility.
Nehemiah 9:38 NLT
38 The people responded, “In view of all this, we are making a solemn promise and putting it in writing. On this sealed document are the names of our leaders and Levites and priests.”
Nehemiah 10:28-29 NLT
28 Then the rest of the people—the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, Temple servants, and all who had separated themselves from the pagan people of the land in order to obey the Law of God, together with their wives, sons, daughters, and all who were old enough to understand— 29 joined their leaders and bound themselves with an oath. They swore a curse on themselves if they failed to obey the Law of God as issued by his servant Moses. They solemnly promised to carefully follow all the commands, regulations, and decrees of the Lord our Lord:
4. Confession without repentance is pointless.
Repentance: a change of direction.
_____________________
START TALKING
When have you been part of something or seen an example where there had to be agreement with or admission about what wasn't working in order for there to be hope that it would succeed or be rebuilt?
Why was it necessary to start with acknowledging this or agreeing with it? What would have happened if that step was missing?
START THINKING
Read Nehemiah 9:1.
- This verse tells us that they were in sorrow and even humiliated about something. What do you think it was? (hint...look throughout chapter 9!)
- Knowing that they had just recently fallen in love with reading God's Word and actually understanding it, why do you think their conviction was stronger than it had been before?
- How does this show that they were already on their way to confession - agreeing with God?
Read Nehemiah 9:2. Then read Exodus 20:5-6.
- Why do you think it is important to simply agree with God about the sins in the generations before us?
- How is this different than blaming the generations that came before us? (Hint: Exodus 20:5-6 does not mean future generations are punished because of what others have done. Instead, it is the reality that the affects of sin are passed on to future generations until confession and repentance break the cycle!)
START SHARING
Read Nehemiah 9:16-18.
- When have you been proud and stubborn, doing "it" your way instead of what God's way would have been? What was the idol - the someone or something that was more important to you than Jesus? And then, how can you look back like the Israelites did and see that God was still faithful to you, still loving, and still forgiving?
- How does reflecting on this make you more willing to confess?
- What do you find keeps you from confessing more regularly?
- Is it not being aware or thoughtful of God's standards and desires for you?
- Is it a fear of talking to God about it? Or is it something else?
Read Nehemiah 10:28-29.
- After the people confessed, they repented and went a different direction. When has confession led to a response of repentance for you?
- When have you gotten stuck at confession without repentance?
- What is holding you back from allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you to repentance?
START DOING
- What will you do this week to make confession a routine and pattern in your life? How can being more active in reading and understanding God's Word help you to know what to confess?
- How does this concept help you have a story to share those who are far from God or might be seeking to know Him more? How does understanding God as Father and you his child help you to do this?
START PRAYING
Pray for each person in the micro church to get to know Jesus more and better each and every day so that each of us will more readily know where we need to confess and repent of the idolatry in our lives. Pray that each person would have the opportunity to share with someone the hope that can come in when confession and repentance is a continual pattern in our lives.
_____________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, Click Here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
- Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
- What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
- How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
- How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
- Who in your life do you think could be disciple-able or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
October 16, 2022
YouVersion
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Night of Worship, October 19
Do you love the OneLife worship experience on Sundays? Then you'll for sure love our Nights of Worship! It's happening Wednesday night, October 19th at 6:30pm. Our campuses and Micro Churches will all join together at our East campus for an extended time of music, prayer, communion, and a few other special surprises. We can't wait to see you there!OneLife Students Fall Events
OneLife Students Middle School Corn Maze, October 22
On Saturday, October 22nd, from 3pm to 7pm the Middle School students from both campuses will be headed to Oaks Farm Corn maze. This is a family event, so parents make sure you plan on being there too! The cost is $16 per person. Registration for both events is open now. Visit onelifeknox.com/students.
Halloween On Mission - Oct 22-31
Halloween is right around the corner, and it’s an incredible time for you to live on mission in your neighborhoods. So, October 22 - 31, that’s what we’re challenging all of our Micro Churches and other OneLifers to do! From neighborhood pumpkin carvings, to reverse trick-or-treating, to making your house the best stop in the neighborhood on Halloween night, and more - there are a tons of ways for you to use Halloween to open up opportunities for conversations and relationships in your neighborhoods. Visit onelifeknox.com/halloween for more information and ideas, and to sign up to be a part of Halloween on Mission.
Join a Volunteer Team
Did you know it takes over a hundred volunteers every week to make a service at OneLife happen at our campuses? So if you haven’t started volunteering, then it’s time to get on the team! From First Impressions & Security, to Kid City, to Production & Worship, to OneLife Students, weekday teams, and more - there’s plenty of opportunities for everyone to serve. Mark the Volunteering box on your Connection Card to get started!
Baptism
If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t gone public with your story through baptism then it’s time to take that step! Mark the baptism box on your Connection Card and we’ll help you get started.
Stay Connected Through the OneLife App
From watching services, to Micro Church discussion guides, to online giving, family resources and more - the OneLife app has everything you need to stay connected to what’s happening among our church. The app is also available on Apple TV and Roku so you can watch services on your TV at home! Download the mobile version of the app on your phone by going to onelifeknox.com/app on your phone’s web browser. And on Apple TV and Roku simply search the app store for “OneLife” and look for our logo.
____________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
http://www.onelifeknox.com/give
_____________________
BOTTOM LINE: Confession is the beginning of rebuilding hope.
Confess: to say the same thing, to agree with God
Nehemiah 9:1-3 NLT
1 On October 31 the people assembled again, and this time they fasted and dressed in burlap and sprinkled dust on their heads. 2 Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners as they confessed their own sins and the sins of their ancestors. 3 They remained standing in place for three hours while the Book of the Law of the Lord their God was read aloud to them. Then for three more hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the Lord their God.
Nehemiah 9:16-18 NLT
16 “But our ancestors were proud and stubborn, and they paid no attention to your commands. 17 They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them, 18 even when they made an idol shaped like a calf and said, ‘This is your god who brought you out of Egypt!’ They committed terrible blasphemies.
1. God’s past faithfulness proves that confession is worth it.
2. Idolatry is the root of all that needs to be confessed.
Idolatry: making something else more important than God.
Nehemiah 9:32-33 NLT
32 “And now, our God, the great and mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of unfailing love, do not let all the hardships we have suffered seem insignificant to you. Great trouble has come upon us and upon our kings and leaders and priests and prophets and ancestors—all of your people—from the days when the kings of Assyria first triumphed over us until now. 33 Every time you punished us you were being just. We have sinned greatly, and you gave us only what we deserved.
3. Confession takes total responsibility.
Nehemiah 9:38 NLT
38 The people responded, “In view of all this, we are making a solemn promise and putting it in writing. On this sealed document are the names of our leaders and Levites and priests.”
Nehemiah 10:28-29 NLT
28 Then the rest of the people—the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, Temple servants, and all who had separated themselves from the pagan people of the land in order to obey the Law of God, together with their wives, sons, daughters, and all who were old enough to understand— 29 joined their leaders and bound themselves with an oath. They swore a curse on themselves if they failed to obey the Law of God as issued by his servant Moses. They solemnly promised to carefully follow all the commands, regulations, and decrees of the Lord our Lord:
4. Confession without repentance is pointless.
Repentance: a change of direction.
_____________________
START TALKING
When have you been part of something or seen an example where there had to be agreement with or admission about what wasn't working in order for there to be hope that it would succeed or be rebuilt?
Why was it necessary to start with acknowledging this or agreeing with it? What would have happened if that step was missing?
START THINKING
Read Nehemiah 9:1.
- This verse tells us that they were in sorrow and even humiliated about something. What do you think it was? (hint...look throughout chapter 9!)
- Knowing that they had just recently fallen in love with reading God's Word and actually understanding it, why do you think their conviction was stronger than it had been before?
- How does this show that they were already on their way to confession - agreeing with God?
Read Nehemiah 9:2. Then read Exodus 20:5-6.
- Why do you think it is important to simply agree with God about the sins in the generations before us?
- How is this different than blaming the generations that came before us? (Hint: Exodus 20:5-6 does not mean future generations are punished because of what others have done. Instead, it is the reality that the affects of sin are passed on to future generations until confession and repentance break the cycle!)
START SHARING
Read Nehemiah 9:16-18.
- When have you been proud and stubborn, doing "it" your way instead of what God's way would have been? What was the idol - the someone or something that was more important to you than Jesus? And then, how can you look back like the Israelites did and see that God was still faithful to you, still loving, and still forgiving?
- How does reflecting on this make you more willing to confess?
- What do you find keeps you from confessing more regularly?
- Is it not being aware or thoughtful of God's standards and desires for you?
- Is it a fear of talking to God about it? Or is it something else?
Read Nehemiah 10:28-29.
- After the people confessed, they repented and went a different direction. When has confession led to a response of repentance for you?
- When have you gotten stuck at confession without repentance?
- What is holding you back from allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you to repentance?
START DOING
- What will you do this week to make confession a routine and pattern in your life? How can being more active in reading and understanding God's Word help you to know what to confess?
- How does this concept help you have a story to share those who are far from God or might be seeking to know Him more? How does understanding God as Father and you his child help you to do this?
START PRAYING
Pray for each person in the micro church to get to know Jesus more and better each and every day so that each of us will more readily know where we need to confess and repent of the idolatry in our lives. Pray that each person would have the opportunity to share with someone the hope that can come in when confession and repentance is a continual pattern in our lives.
_____________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, Click Here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
- Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
- What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
- How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
- How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
- Who in your life do you think could be disciple-able or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
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