Step By Step [Step Away From Sin] Discussion Guide

Summary
This sermon concludes a series on walking out faith with God step by step, focusing on the story of Achan's sin in Joshua 7. Jonathan uses the metaphor of weeds in a garden and little foxes in a vineyard to illustrate how small compromises and hidden sins can destroy our spiritual growth. After Israel's victory at Jericho, one man's disobedience… Achan stealing items set apart for destruction… led to defeat at Ai and the death of 36 men. The message emphasizes that individual sin has community consequences, but God's discipline is rooted in love and aimed at restoration, not punishment.
The sermon teaches that stepping away from sin requires confession, repentance, and stepping toward God's purpose. Using 1 John 1:9 and a software update analogy, Jonathan explains that confession is like running an update that God has already prepared for us through the cross. The message concludes with practical steps: engaging in regular self-examination, understanding community impact, embracing God's presence, and having courage to change. The ultimate goal is not just leaving sin behind, but stepping into a deeper relationship with God.

Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts, ready to learn and grow in our relationship with You. We ask that You search our hearts and reveal anything that may be hindering our walk with You. Help us to be honest with ourselves and with You about areas where we need Your grace and transformation. Lord, we pray that You would speak to each person here today in the way they need to hear from You. Give us ears to hear, hearts to receive, and the courage to respond to what You want to show us. We trust that Your love is greater than our failures and that You desire restoration in our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Ice Breaker
If you could have a perfectly maintained garden without any effort, what would you choose to grow in it… flowers, vegetables, herbs, or something else entirely?

Key Verses

• Song of Solomon 2:15
• Joshua 7:1-13
• Hebrews 12:1-7
• 1 John 1:8-9
• Proverbs 28:13

Questions

• What are some 'little foxes' or small compromises that can creep into our spiritual lives and cause damage over time?
• How did Achan's individual sin affect the entire community of Israel, and what does this teach us about the impact of our personal choices?
• Why do you think God's response to Joshua was 'Get up' rather than allowing him to continue in prayer and despair?
• Jonathan mentioned that God's discipline is rooted in love and aimed at restoration. How does this change your perspective on God's correction in your life?
• Using the software update analogy for 1 John 1:9, how does viewing confession as 'running an update' rather than admitting defeat change your approach to repentance?
• What's the difference between simply leaving sin behind and stepping into a deeper relationship with God?
• How can we create accountability in our lives to help us recognize and address sin before it takes root?
• What practical steps can we take to 'strip off every weight that slows us down' as mentioned in Hebrews 12:1?

Life Application
This week, spend time in honest self-examination before God. Ask Him to reveal any 'little foxes' or areas of compromise in your life that may be hindering your spiritual growth. Choose one specific area that God brings to your attention and take concrete steps to address it… whether through confession, seeking accountability, removing temptations, or making practical changes. Remember that this is not about condemnation but about stepping closer to God and experiencing His restoration.

Key Takeaways

• Small compromises and hidden sins can have devastating consequences, affecting not just ourselves but our entire community
• God's discipline is rooted in love and aimed at restoration, not punishment… He desires right relationship with us
• Confession is like running a software update that God has already prepared for us through the cross
• Stepping away from sin is not just about leaving something behind, but about stepping into a deeper relationship with God
• We cannot experience God's full blessing while knowingly harboring sin… purification is necessary for spiritual victory

Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your incredible love and grace that covers all our sins. We are grateful that You don't give up on us, even when we fall short. Help us to have the courage to honestly examine our hearts and confess anything that is separating us from You. Give us strength to step away from the things that hinder our relationship with You and to step boldly into the deeper relationship You desire with us. Thank You that Your discipline comes from love and that Your forgiveness is always available. Help us to live lives of ongoing repentance and transformation, knowing that You are faithful to complete the good work You have started in us. May we encourage one another in this journey and remember that our choices impact not just ourselves but our entire community. In Your precious and holy name, Amen.