LIFEGROUP QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER...
1. Where do I find myself trying to justify or "normalize" my sin in order to avoid the awkwardness of repentance? Where do I see this happening in culture?
2. How does our lack of willingness affect the flow of forgiveness?
3. What does it mean that David refers to God as, "The God of Salvation?" How does this attribute of God invite us to repent?
4. When you think about the work the shepherd would have to do to clean a wandering sheep, tend its wounds, delouse its wool after bringing it back into the fold, how do you see this as a metaphor for our walk with Christ as believers?
5. When David asked for a clean heart in verse 10, it speaks to the fact that true repentance not only deals with the sin, but the root of our sin -- a deceitful, desperately wicked heart. Do you think your prayers of repentance deal with the heart behind the sin as much as the act of sin itself? In what ways is repentance incomplete until we deal with the "heart of the matter"?
6. David grieved his sin because he felt the distance his sin had created between he and God. Do you ever feel that distance in your relationship with Christ when you are carrying sin you are not willing to confess and repent of? How is your spirit affected in those seasons of wandering?
7. David mentioned that he needed to be forgiven and restored in order for his praise and worship to be true and genuine. Do you find it is harder to give glory to God when you are wandering from Him? How does that manifest itself in your life?
8. Pastor Derek mentioned that this Psalm is ultimately not about David. It is not about you or me. It is ultimately about God and His goodness and willingness to forgive when we repent. How does this help you to understand God to know that He desires our repentance because He desires to forgive and restore?