Series: Survivor / Week 4 (10/25-11/1)

ICEBREAKER

· If you could put someone on trial for one ridiculously annoying habit, what would the charge be?

· Maybe leaving dirty dishes in the sink, stealing your fries, driving too slowly in the left lane, leaving the toilet seat up, or never replacing the toilet paper!

· Bonus: What would be the punishment for their terrible crime?

TRANSITION

This week, we learned that Satan is not only a deceiver but also an ACCUSER. He wants us to live under guilt, shame, and condemnation. But here's the good news: Satan may accuse us, but JESUS stands as our ADVOCATE!

DISCUSS

READ Revelation 12:10
“Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, ‘It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night.’”

1. Why do you think Satan wants believers to constantly remember their failures and mistakes?

2. How can guilt and shame affect our relationship with God?

The message explains the difference between Satan's accusations and the Holy Spirit's conviction.

· Accusation brings condemnation, shame, and defeat.

· Conviction leads us toward repentance, forgiveness, and peace.

3. How can we recognize the difference between a thought that pushes us away from God and the Holy Spirit's correction that draws us closer to Him?

READ Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

4. If God has removed our sins, why do we sometimes struggle to forgive ourselves or believe that God has truly forgiven us

GET PERSONAL:

Satan's accusations often sound like: “You're not good enough.” “If people knew your past…” “God could never use someone like you.” “You'll never change.”

5. Which of these lies do you think people struggle with most? Why?

READ Romans 8:34
“Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”

6. What does it mean to you personally that Jesus is standing up for you, not against you?

7. How should that truth change the way we approach God when we've failed?

The message used a courtroom illustration where Satan was the prosecutor, we were the defendants, and Jesus became our advocate.

8. Why is it important to understand that our salvation depends on what Jesus has done, not how good we've been?

GET PRACTICAL

READ 1 John 2:1
“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.”

9. When you make a mistake, do you hide from God, beat yourself up, make excuses, or run to Jesus?

READ Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE — CASE DISMISSED!

This week, when guilt, shame, or condemnation tries to take hold of your thoughts:

1. RECOGNIZE THE ACCUSATION. Identify the thought that's making you feel defeated or unworthy.

2. REMEMBER YOUR ADVOCATE. Jesus has already paid the price for your sins.

3. REPLACE THE LIE WITH TRUTH. Remind yourself of Romans 8:1: There is NOW no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!

PRAYER

Thank Jesus for being our Advocate and for paying the price for our sins. Ask God to help us recognize the enemy's accusations, respond to the Holy Spirit's conviction, and walk confidently in the forgiveness, grace, and freedom we have through Jesus Christ.