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Redford Aldersgate
United Methodist Church
Sermon
The Dance of Prayer and Confession
March 19 2006
James 5:13-16
Discussion and Reflection Questions
The following are questions that were used during the small group sessions after viewing the video by John Ortberg. Even if you couldn't come to the small group, it might be helpful to your spiritual growth to discuss these questions with another person, or at least ponder them in your own mind. We encourage you to come to the small groups next week.
Discussion Questions
1. How did you do with the Spiritual Discipline of Slowing Down?
2. Do you believe prayer is powerful and effective? Give examples.
3. Do you think people tend to pray only when they are desperate?
4. What do you think about a regular time for prayer? What would help
you to have a regular prayer time? Does 5 minutes a day sound like a
lot, or too little?
5. Have there been any “mauve-sofa-experiences” in your life where you
have had a chance to confess, but chickened out? If so, are you willing
to share about it?
6. Ortberg says that when we confess, two things happen:
- We are liberated from guilt
- We’ll be a little less likely to sin in the same way in the future.
Have you found this to be true? Give examples.
7. In the book, Ortberg says that “sin is often the attempt to meet a
legitimate need in an illegitimate way.” How does that understanding put
new light on your sin, or other’s sin?
8. Look over the “7 Deadly Sins.” Do they spark any realization of sin
in your life?
Pride; Anger; Lust; Envy; Greed; Sloth (apathy, laziness); gluttony
9. What kind of commitment will you make to find a regular time for
prayer and/or confession?