So friends, how are you doing with this book? This week we are looking at chapters 3 and 4. This is the quote that has been on my mind all week, “Shall we presume on God’s grace by tolerating in ourselves the very sin that nailed Christ to the cross?” (p.29)

Questions for you to journal in response to these chapters:

1. Bridges compares sin to that of cancer. How does cancer behave similarly to sin? How have you seen sin “metastasize” from yourself to the hearts of others?

2. Can you add any more adjectives to describe sin to those listed on page 26?

3. “When we see how really bad the bad news is, we’ll be in a better position to appreciate how really good the good news is.” Bridges spends part of this chapter focusing on the holiness of God. This is to help us see why sin is such a serious thing. He says, “our sin is an assault on the majesty and sovereign rule of God.” He also uses the term ’cosmic treason.’ What is your response to this?

4. Read these passages on God’s holiness: Isaiah 6, Revelation 4 and Isaiah 40

5. In chapter four, Bridges focuses on the hope we have in the gospel. He says that our only hope and remedy is that we are great sinners with a great Savior. How is the gospel the remedy for our current sins?

a). it plows the ground of our hearts to see our sin b). it frees us to do so and c). it motivates and energizes us to deal with our sin

6. He says “duty without desire soon becomes drudgery.” So where does our desire to deal with sin come from (p.36)?

7. Bridges urges us to “preach the gospel to yourself every day.” How does this help us confront our respectable sins?

8. To aid in preaching the gospel to yourself this week, consider this quote from Bridges, imagining God is saying this to your heart: “We are going to work on that sin, but meanwhile I want you to know that I no longer count it against you.”

Read these verses as you remind yourself of the gospel: Psalm 103:12, Psalm 130:3-4, Isaiah 43:25, Isaiah 53:6, Micah 7:19, Romans 4:7-8, Romans 8:1, Colossians 2:13-14, Hebrews 8:12, Hebrews 10:17-18

For us to discuss in community: what stood out to you the most in these chapters? how has God been convicting your heart? Have you been preaching the gospel to yourself?