Small Group Discussion April 7, 2024

**Bible Reading:**

1. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (ESV)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

2. Romans 5:1-8 (ESV)
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

3. Psalm 103:12 (ESV)
"As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us."

**Observation Questions:**

1. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, what does it mean to be a new creation in Christ?
2. How does the passage in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 describe the process and purpose of reconciliation?
3. According to Romans 5:1-8, what are the results of being justified by faith?
4. Reflecting on Psalm 103:12, how does the imagery of east and west help us understand the extent of God's forgiveness?

**Interpretation Questions:**

1. What implications does being a new creation have for someone's identity and past mistakes?
2. How does the ministry of reconciliation challenge our relationships with others?
3. How does the concept of suffering producing endurance, character, and hope in Romans 5 relate to the idea of overcoming one's past?
4. Considering the complete removal of transgressions described in Psalm 103:12, how should this affect a person's sense of guilt or shame?

**Application Questions:**

1. Identify a past mistake that you feel still defines you. How can you embrace your identity as a new creation in Christ to overcome this feeling?
2. Think of someone with whom you have a strained relationship. What steps can you take this week to work towards reconciliation in light of 2 Corinthians 5:18-19?
3. Reflect on a recent hardship. How can you view this experience as an opportunity to develop endurance and character, leading to hope?
4. Write down a prayer of thanksgiving for the forgiveness and removal of your sins, as far as the east is from the west, and meditate on it each morning this week.
5. Choose one person in your life who does not know the peace of being justified by faith. How can you demonstrate God's love to them this week?