Here’s a Bible study guide that you can send to your small group leaders. It’s based on the March 17, 2024 10 AM Blended Worship at Epworth UMC message
**Bible Reading:**
1. Psalm 51:1-12 (ESV)
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”
2. Luke 17:3-4 (ESV)
“Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
4. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV)
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
**Observation Questions:**
1. In Psalm 51, what are the three different Hebrew words used for sin, and what does each one signify?
2. How does the psalmist describe the transformation he seeks from God in Psalm 51?
3. What is the relationship between forgiveness and gratitude as seen in Luke 17:3-4?
4. According to 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, what is the attitude one should have when giving?
**Interpretation Questions:**
1. Why might the psalmist emphasize the need for a clean heart and a renewed spirit in seeking God’s forgiveness?
2. How does the psalmist’s understanding of sin relate to the concept of God’s steadfast love and mercy?
3. In what ways does forgiving someone multiple times, as mentioned in Luke 17, challenge common human attitudes towards forgiveness?
4. How does the principle of sowing and reaping, as described in 2 Corinthians, apply to the virtues of gratitude and generosity?
**Application Questions:**
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you missed the mark, twisted the truth, or broke a relationship. How can you seek forgiveness and restoration in that context this week?
2. Identify a moment from the past week where you experienced forgiveness, either giving or receiving. How did this lead to a sense of gratitude in your life?
3. Choose one person who has wronged you and consider a tangible way you can extend forgiveness to them this week. What might that look like?
4. Think of a specific instance where you can express gratitude to someone in your community. How will you show your appreciation?
5. Consider your current approach to generosity. What is one act of generosity you can commit to this week that reflects a cheerful and willing spirit?