BREAKING CHAINS, Part 4: Going Deeper Questions

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Every week, it’s our goal to provide you with some questions to process the message deeper, either personally, or with a small group. Here are some questions for you to consider from this week’s message, “The Chain of Bitterness”, part 4 of the BREAKING CHAINS message series with Pastor Shawn M. Shoup.

KEY SCRIPTURES

• Ruth 1:19-21, Luke 15:25-32 ESV

TALK IT OUT

• Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT) – “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
  • We spent the first part of this year talking about being the light in the world. How does bitterness affect one’s ability to love and forgive well? How does it affect our ability to shine bright for God in the dark places of this world?
• Proverbs 14:10 (NLT) – “Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.”
  • We know the bitterness that lives in our hearts. What is the human reaction to that knowledge? That is, if we know our bitterness exists in our hearts, why do we allow it to live there?
• Bitterness stems from a lack of forgiveness. Sometimes forgiveness is hard. What kind of advice would you give a young person who is struggling with forgiveness? 
• No matter where we are in life – how far along the journey we are – bitterness has the ability to take root in our lives. Take a moment and ask the Father to speak to you about this issue. Then stop everything and listen.
• After a few minutes, ask your heavenly Father to break the chains of bitterness in your life. Ask Him to daily help you to continue to walk in forgiveness. Ask Him to help you internalize the advice you would have given to a young person dealing with this issue. 

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