receive god’s grace08365081b3909fb182e8-d1728382312dcca4421fdda0fbe41c7b.r59.… ·...

LEADER GUIDE

Receive God’s Grace

Book 3, Steps 4-6

Index

Timeline ................................................................................................................................................................ 1

Step Four, Week One ........................................................................................................................................ 2

Step Four, Week Two ........................................................................................................................................ 4

Step Four, Week Three ...................................................................................................................................... 6

Step Four, Week Four ........................................................................................................................................ 7

Step Four, Week Five ........................................................................................................................................ 8

Step Four, Week Six ........................................................................................................................................... 9

Step Five, Week One ...................................................................................................................................... 11

Step Five, Week Two ....................................................................................................................................... 13

Step Six, Week One ......................................................................................................................................... 15

Step Six, Week Two .......................................................................................................................................... 17

Step Six, Week Three ....................................................................................................................................... 19

Appendix

Shepherding people with abuse - to be added

RE:GENERATION STEPS 4, 5, 6 LEADER GUIDE DRAFT VERSION 1.0 PAGE | 1

Timeline

12-Steps Progression

Groundwork: Building a Foundation for Recovery

Step 1, Admit

Romans 7:18

Step 2, Believe

Psalm 103:2-5

Step 3, Trust

Ephesians 2:4-5

Step 4, Inventory

Psalm 51:6

Step 5, Confess

1 John 1:7-9

Step 6, Repent

2 Timothy 2:22

Step 7, Follow

Galatians 5:22-25

Step 8, Forgive

Ephesians 4:32-5:1

Step 9, Amends

Romans 12:17-18

Step 10, Continue

Proverbs 28:13

Step 11, Intimacy

John 17:3-4

Step 12, Regenerate

2 Corinthians 5:17-19

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Step Four, Week One

General Principle: INVENTORY

We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

Foundation Verse: “Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me

wisdom in the secret heart.” (Psalm 51:6)

Key Theme: Receive God’s truth.

The Holy Spirit changes you from the inside out, and teaches truth from the Word of God.

Identify what stands in the way of a fully-devoted heart: idols and their patterns.

Identify what Christ did for you.

Identify what Christ wants to heal in you through the Holy Spirit.

NOTE: Inventory Training is typically the 4th Monday of the month. Instead of meeting as a

group in your classroom, leaders and participants will attend a large group meeting

together.

Watch or Listen to this Week’s Training Video/Audio You can access the training video/audio from the Watermark Mobile App or via the

Watermark website media page at www.watermark.org/media/

Go to the Channel menu and select Recovery.

Then select: re:generation Leader Training.

Things to Remember Welcome to Book 3, Steps 4-6! In this book, you will be focusing on:

o Identifying your sinful nature (Step 4 – INVENTORY) that gets in the way with

intimacy with God and loving others.

o Confessing your sinful nature (Steps 5 – CONFESS).

o Turning from your sinful nature towards Christ (Step 6 – REPENT).

Email all the mentors telling them you finished Steps 1-3 and are beginning Step 4.

Invite them to attend Inventory Training with the group. Ask them to pray and walk

closely alongside the participant during this step.

It’s human nature to fear and resist inventory – sin dies when it is exposed to God’s

light. With God’s strength they can face anything and God will use it bring freedom

in many areas of life.

Encourage them that this is just another step of healing. It’s another step where God

wants to love and transform them.

The Holy Spirit is critical for inventory. He opens our eyes. Pray for openness in

participants’ hearts for His work.

Some participants aren’t ready for inventory; they haven’t completed Steps 1-3.

Key Questions As you review the lesson, ask God which questions to focus on for the lesson. Some

possibilities are:

Day 6 Questions, especially “how to” questions about inventory.

Day 1, Question 4: What immediate changes did the Holy Spirit make within you?

What changes has he made since?

http://www.watermark.org/media/


Encouragement for Participants Work through your questions about Christ and salvation before Step 4.

You are a new creation. Take off the old nature and live by the new nature in Christ.

God is giving you a new heart by the power of his Spirit. He has set you free you from

the power sin in all areas of life so that you can experience the life he created you to

have.

Because of Christ, you don’t have to be afraid of inventory. There is nothing you have

done that Jesus did not joyfully pay for and hasn’t forgiven – you are not

condemned! This process is here to help you. Inventory will reveal what has captured

your heart and help you to see God’s love more clearly through Christ. It is a picture

of the price that Christ paid for your soul!

Step 4 takes longer than other steps. While you will need to continue to work on it

daily, you should also schedule time away to focus on it, such as an extended time

on a weekend. Set deadlines for yourself. Don’t prolong it by procrastinating. Work

with your family and mentor to create this time.

There are 6 inventories. Think of each inventory as a different window into the same

house. Read over the overviews before beginning inventories. Don’t get hung-up on

which events fit perfectly into each inventory. Getting it out on paper is more

important that fitting everything in the perfect place. You don’t have to record an

event in multiple inventories, but you can if it helps you to see it from different

perspectives. Read the Inventory Overviews before starting!

Inventory is an in-depth look at your sinful nature – it is not a balanced inventory of

both strengths and weaknesses! Don’t list all the good with all the bad. In Christ, we

are fully-accepted and loved by God. He has given us gifts and worked through our

lives. But the purpose of this step is to have greater awareness of what Christ died for

and what God desire to change through his Spirit.

Group time over next 4 weeks will include workshop and discussion. Encourage the

participants to come with as much done as they can, and with questions. Based on

the need, share items on your inventory, answer questions and give some time for

personal work.

o Week 2: Resentments and Fears

o Week 3: Harms to Me and Harms By Me

o Week 4: Sexual Inventory and Recovery Issue

o Week 5: Wrap Up and Complete All Inventories

Encourage them to fill out what they can rather than an “all or nothing” or

perfectionistic attitude! Not all blanks on the chart have to be filled out if they get

stuck. They can always go back and fill these in as more understanding comes.

Memory Verse: Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed

by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God,

what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Encouragement for Leaders Downplay this as just another step. Participants will need a lot of encouragement.

Present it as an opportunity to better understand God’s love for them through Christ

Encourage those that haven’t accepted Christ to work through those questions first.

Pray that the Holy Spirit would carry the group through this step and remaining steps.

Do your best to not extend Step 4. They will tend to procrastinate revisiting the past.

Help them by setting deadlines, communicating with mentors and by checking

progress/answering questions in workshops.

Be an example to your group. 1 Timothy 1:16-17: “But I received mercy for this

reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as

an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages,

immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor, and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Inventory your own current struggle and talk about it with your group.


Step Four, Week Two

General Principle: INVENTORY





The Holy Spirit changes you from the inside out.




Watch or Listen to this Week’s Training Video/Audio

Things to Remember This is first week of working on inventory. This week’s focus is the Resentments and

Fears Inventories.

This workshop time is to answer questions, check on progress, get started, and give

encouragement.

This step takes courage. Keep your eye open for those struggling to start.

Spend the first 10 minutes of the group answering questions or struggles with the

inventory. Then, use the rest of the group time working on inventory.

Encouragement for Participants Don’t be afraid – you are a child of God. Romans 8:15, “For you did not receive the

spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as

sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Work on inventory daily. Set aside extended time during the week or on the

weekend.

Stay in touch with your mentor to talk through areas you may feel stuck.

If stuck, let us know. We want to help you keep moving through Step 4.

Be thorough. The more you reveal, the deeper the healing.

Encouragement for Leaders Be ready for logistical questions: “Am I doing this right?” “Should this go in another

inventory?” “Do I need to inventory something I’ve dealt with in the past?”

Inventory Process:

o Don’t get hung up on which inventory an event belongs in. These inventories

are different windows into the same house. Different inventories give different

perspectives of events. You can inventory the same event in multiple

inventories if beneficial, but may not be necessary. o This is a time of discovery. Be thorough as you try to identify your sinful nature

patterns. o These sins don’t define you anymore. Christ defines who you are: a child of

God. o The Recovery Issue Inventory is a catchall. Hopefully, by the recovery issue

inventory, they will have covered most things and realized the issue that

brought them to recovery was a symptom of deeper spiritual problem. Give a personal example from your inventory.


Check if participants have set aside extended time to work on inventory. Perhaps

longer chunks of time will help. Set a goal for the week on when you will spend your

time.

For those struggling to start, have them meet with you when the group breaks up to

work on inventory. Answer questions and help them work through an example.

Encourage them to fill out what they can rather than an “all or nothing” or

perfectionistic attitude! Not all blanks on the chart have to be filled out if they get

stuck. They can always go back and fill these in as more understanding comes.

Who are the no-shows? Make sure you follow-up them this week (and their mentor).

This is a time when it is easy for people to drop out: revisit the pain and failures of the

past.

God can redeem the past. Romans 8:28-29: “And we know that for those who love

God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his

purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the

image of his Son…”


Step Four, Week Three General Principle: INVENTORY










Things to Remember This week have a discussion around what people are discovering.

Participants have now had two weeks to work on inventory.

They should be progressing through their Harms To Me and Harms Done by Me

Inventories.

Encouragement for Participants

Encourage participants to follow-up with each other.

Encourage participants to meet with mentor to discuss inventory.

Healing is occurring: Psalm 147:3 “[God] heals the brokenhearted and binds up their

wounds.”

Pray for them that God would provide insight, healing and redeem the past and that

he would use it to show us his love and draw us near to him.

Encouragement for Leaders Share Personal Examples: From those who are willing, have them share an example

from their inventory. Share an example from your own inventory. This will help those

who are still wresting through logistics, bond the group and provide further insight into

struggles.

See if anyone is struggling. Give opportunity to confess sin, temptation, fears, etc.


Step Four, Week Four General Principle: INVENTORY


Foundation: “Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom

in the secret heart.” (Psalm 51:6)







Things to Remember The focus this week is discussing the past weeks work on the Sexual Inventory and the

Recovery Issue Inventory. The Recovery Issue may have already been covered in

past weeks. Or this inventory may be used to simply include other things that have

come up that didn’t fit on the other inventories.

Gather briefly. Don’t spend much time in discussion today. You want to allow time

for participants to work on inventory. Tell people you are here to help with any

questions and that you will be checking their progress. Open in prayer. Then, dismiss

to work on inventory.

Note progress of participants. Wander around and see how they are progressing.

This will give you opportunity to see who needs follow-up. Briefly encourage those

you visit with.

Note absent participants. Follow-up with missing participants and their mentors to see

how they are doing. Tell them they are missed and you are there to help.

Pray. Quietly say a prayer for each person you visit. Spend time praying for those not

present.

Keep working through your own inventory.

o 1 Thessalonians 4:1, “Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the

Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to

walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.” o God is not finished with you. Ask that he would use this inventory to draw you

closer to him and to make you more like Jesus.


Step Four, Week Five General Principle: INVENTORY










Things to Remember This is a discussion week. Participants should be wrapping up inventory. Try not to

extend the inventory process. Check participants’ progress. Encourage

thoroughness and set deadline, if they are not close to finishing.

Share personal examples. For those who are willing have them share an example

from their inventory. Share an example from your own inventory. This will help those

who are still wresting through logistics, bond the group and provide further insight into

struggles.

See if anyone is struggling. Give opportunity to confess sin, temptation, fears, etc.

Encourage participants to complete inventory. Don’t prolong. Show patience with

participants, but set deadlines and encourage extended times away to finish

inventory.

Encourage participants to meet with mentor to discuss inventory.

Assign Week Six. Participants will begin to go through daily curriculum again. They

will begin to bring into focus the idols of the heart and patterns of sin.

Note progress and pray: Be sure to encourage the progress that you see in

participants and encourage faithfulness. Pray that God would the inventory insights

to transform everyone to be more like Christ.

Ask people to share the memory verse. Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this

world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may

discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”


Step Four, Week Six General Principle: INVENTORY










Things to Remember Participants spent the week surveying inventory. This may be the first time they have

thoroughly looked at the breadth and depth of their rebellion from God.

A thorough inventory is a picture the price Christ paid to redeem you.

Remind them that they don’t need wallow in shame and guilt. But praise God for

revealing God’s goodness and love for them through Christ and uncovering key idols

and sin patterns that drove rebellion.

Encourage them to fully embrace their new identity in Christ.

Key Questions Day 1, Question 4: In light of your inventory, have you gained a different

understanding of how much God loves you? If so, how has your understanding

changed?

Day 2, Question 3: Which response shows up most often in each of the inventories?

Day 3, Question 2: What things of value show up most often within each inventory?

Encouragement for Participants

You have a new identity. Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no

longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by

faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” While inventory

provides a clearer picture of your sinful nature, it also provides a beautiful picture of

what Christ did for you. You are not defined by your inventory, but by Christ. Recognize the disease of your sinful nature. Now that you can recognize your

idol/sinful patterns in daily life, ask for help from God and others.

Consider baptism, Day 5: Romans 6:3-4, “Do you not know that all of us who have

been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried

therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from

the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

Complete inventory if you haven’t. Finish strong.

Start to consider ways to serve, as a group at re:generation, and personally (those in

your home, church, etc).


Encouragement for Leaders THANK YOU for faithfully walking with your group members through a difficult step.

Be patient to work with participants who are straggling. Set deadlines. Don’t get

discouraged if they drop. God heals; they may not yet be ready.

Follow-up with those who want to be baptized. Groups can celebrate this together!

Regeneration is happening with your group! Ezekiel 36:26-27, “And I will give you a

new heart and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone

from your flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my

statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”

How are YOU doing? Remember that good leaders continue to live out the principles

of recovery in your own life.


Step Five, Week One

General Principle: CONFESS

We confess to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our

sins.

Foundation Verse: 1 John 1:7-9, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have

fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we

say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”

Key Theme: Receive God’s cleansing.

Confession is agreeing with God about your rebellion, need for God’s mercy and grace

through Christ.

We all have a problem of pride verses accepting God’s grace.

Live in the light of God’s truth: with self, God and others.


Things to Remember Confession means to agree with God. This week is really about accepting your need

for God’s grace, Christ as your means of grace and stepping into the light of God to

embrace his grace – this is a profession of the gospel.

Many participants have inventoried things they swore to never tell, even incriminating

things.

Confession may be the first time for someone to truly face fears of rejection and

consequences to trust God with the consequences of sin.

Key Questions Start with questions on Day 6, particularly Question 3 and Question 4.

Day 3, Question 3: “How has pride or your love of sin kept you from honesty with

yourself?

Day 5 Questions: Focus on accepting God’s judgments as true and just; and

accepting God’s forgiveness as your own versus “forgiving yourself”.

Encouragement for Participants God is for you. Romans 8:31, “ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us,

who can be against us?”

You can trust God through any circumstance. There are consequences to sin. God

doesn’t always remove those consequences, but he will see you through them.

Embrace his path of freedom even when it’s difficult.

Reject pride, embrace humility. Don’t let pride or fear get in the way of embracing

God’s grace and his path for healing. Live in the light and agree with God about

your sin, need for grace, and that God’s provision for your sin cleanses you. Embrace

God’s grace.

Set up a time to meet and share your inventory with others. Along with your mentor,

you may wish to include recovery partners or members of community group. See

Take Note on Day 5 as a guideline and talk with your mentor/leader if you have

questions about whom you should include.


Encouragement for Leaders Pray for the participants to look to Jesus for the courage and humility needed to

confess. Look to the Spirit of God to lead and open the participants’ hearts - not you.

Check on those who are having trouble finishing inventory. See if they are following

through on their own deadlines.

Be ready to share a story of how a confession brought healing in your own life.

Group Guideline change: Share that the guidelines are now shifting to allow some

time at the end of the group for participants to encourage each other with scripture.

o During the last 5 minutes of the group time, include time for participants to

encourage one other with scripture. This can be sharing a scripture of

encouragement to the entire group or a person in the group.

Ephesians 5:18-20, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is

dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in

psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody

with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the

name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father…”

Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching

and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and

hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

o If an individual has a specific encouragement from scripture for another

person in the group, let them ask a question to better understand first and

pray about what to share with another. Sometimes we can do more harm

than good by giving a scripture without understanding one’s situation, heart

or journey with God. Ask the group to offer encouragement or scripture to an

individual only after they have taken time to understand. To gain

understanding, this can include asking another a question at the end of the

group or after the group time.

Proverbs 18:30, “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly

and shame.”

Proverbs 25:11, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of

silver.”

Proverbs 25:5, “The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a

man of understanding will draw it out.”

Proverbs 29:20, “Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is

more hope for a fool than for him.”


Step Five, Week Two

General Principle: CONFESS

We confess to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our

sins.

Foundation Verse: 1 John 1:7-9, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have

fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we

say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”

Key Theme: Receive God’s healing.

Confession is a gift of God commanded for the benefit of your healing (relationship with

God, others and personal healing).

Confess the exact nature of your sin: H-E-A-L: Honestly confess, Examine your sinful

nature, Accept Christ’s offering for sin, Leave your sin with Christ.

Celebrate a clean heart – praise God!


Things to Remember A humble confession is the beginning of healing.

Grieve the damage of sin. Celebrate the grace of God through Christ.

Participants should all have dates/times set to confess inventory with their mentor.

Key Questions Start with questions on Day 6.

Day 3, Question 2: What is your biggest fear about admitting your sin to others?

Encouragement for Participants See if anyone can quote James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another

and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person

has great power as it is working.”

If not, review the memory verse. Remind them that God has put confession in place

as a means for healing.

Give courage for confession: Psalm 56:3, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

Make sure a date/time is set to share inventory. Have participants let you know

when.

This week begins a Group Guidelines change: Include time at the end of each

meeting to encourage others with scripture.

Remember confession is a blessing: Proverbs 28:13, “Whoever conceals his

transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain

mercy.”


Encouragement for Leaders Be ready to share ways confession of inventory was beneficial for you.

Answers questions about to whom they need to confess. Refer to the Take Note on

Day 5.

Answer questions about when they should confess to those they’ve hurt.

o Sometimes immediate confession may be appropriate.

o Sometimes waiting for more prayer and planning may be best. Step 9 –

AMENDS, will help them create a plan.

When do you consider asking a participant to step back from a group?

o When you determine that they are not ready, unwilling or unable to take a

step (not setting deadlines, missing deadlines, unwillingness to follow direction

to get questions answered, not doing homework or attending).

o When they begin to impact the group (and hold others back).

o It’s ok if they are not ready. God prepares hearts in season. Some people

aren’t finished with sin. Some people really do need time to process specific

questions in Groundwork.

o It is loving to move someone out of a group when it’s clear they aren’t

progressing. It is not loving to let them skip hard steps and graduate them

from recovery. Leave them believing that God’s word is ineffective, untrue,

they are unique and there is no hope.

o Recovery is the participant’s responsibility. Their role is to take the steps.

Your job is to help them be honest about whether they are truly on God’s

path of recovery, pray for them and redirect them to the truth.

Only the Spirit of God can lead the participants’ hearts – not you. Pray for the

participants to look to Jesus for the courage and humility needed to confess, and to

receive healing from pain.

o John 14:26-27, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my

name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I

have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the

world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them

be afraid.” Thank you for leading through this important step. We pray for you to have courage

to speak the truth in love and help participants be honest about their past and their

present.


Step Six, Week One

General Principle: REPENT

We become entirely ready to turn away from our patterns of sin and turn to God.

Foundation Verse: 2 Timothy 2:22, “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness,

faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

Key theme: Receive redirection from God.

Repentance means to turn from sin and turn to God.

Confession and Repentance work together for healing and freedom.

Godly sorrow vs. worldly sorrow.

God’s way is good.


Things to Remember Participants can feel well after confession, but lasting freedom comes from turning

from sin to follow Christ.

Repentance is costly. It’s dying to your old way of life and demands real change.

God’s way is the best and leads to life.

Step 6 is 3 weeks. Leave some group time to prepare your group for repentance

plans in the coming weeks.

Key Questions Start with Day 6, Questions 3 and 4.

Day 1, Question 4: In what ways do you struggle to believe that God’s plan offers the

best life for you? What are some ways you’ve accepted this belief?

Day 3, Question 4: What fears do you have about where God’s path will lead?

Day 4, Question 4: What areas of life do you not want God to interfere with? Why?

Encouragement for Participants Take some time to share victories. Also allow some time to share struggles.

Confession and repentance go hand in hand. They work together to bring healing

and freedom. Healing from confession is short-lived without repentance.

Repentance without confession (agreeing with God) is a myth.

It’s not enough to turn from sin, we must also turn towards God’s way. See Step 6

Foundation Verse, 2 Timothy 2:22.

God loves you and wants to bless you, but he wants your heart and participation in

change.

The next two weeks will be developing repentance plans. You will need your

inventory workbook.

o Study a sin pattern. Look over who, what, when, where, why, how.

o Identify patterns, triggers, and enablement of the struggle.

o Plan to guard you from these pitfalls: making changes, setting boundaries,

etc.

o Plan to turn towards God’s provision and support.

o Be thorough. But don’t get hung up on having every column filled perfectly.

o Discuss questions next week and have time to work on it during the group

time.


Encouragement for Leaders

Check to see who has completed Step 5. For those who haven’t, make sure a date is

set.

Plan for discussion/workshop time next week.

Praise God for the blessings of confession and repentance in your life!

Praise God that he is using your weaknesses to encourage and strengthen others!

Don’t settle for less than God’s best! Psalm 13:11, “You make known to me the path

of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures

forevermore.”


Step Six, Week Two






To experience God’s freedom: God must change you inside and you must be willing to

take steps of obedience.

Your natural response to temptation and stress is sinful.

How does God want you to respond? Plan a godly response to temptation and stress.

Rely upon God’s direction and provision to walk in his ways.


Things to Remember Our natural response to temptation and stress is sin.

In this lesson, we make a plan to follow God’s direction, and rely upon his strength

and provision to respond differently through the help of the Holy Spirit.

At the beginning of group time, plan for answering “how-to” questions about the

repentance charts.

Then, use the remainder for workshop time for participants to work on their own

repentance charts so you can help with questions.

Key Questions Answer any questions regarding the repentance chart plan.

Encouragement for Participants The Repentance Plan is developmental work, so it feels different than other weeks.

This includes studying sinful nature, God’s will, setting up boundaries and a plan of

action for when you are tempted.

This is only a tool to help make changes in life. Don’t stress if you can’t fill out every

box.

Share your plan with others. Discuss your plan with your mentor, recovery partners,

and leaders. Encourage them to ask for help as needed in finding Scripture for God’s

plan and will for their life. Don’t sign-off on a plan in isolation.

Plan for godliness and rely upon God when called to respond to temptation and

stress.

Continue to work on your plans this week.

Ask if anyone can share the memory verse. Acts 3:19, “Therefore repent and return,

so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come

from the presence of the Lord.”


Encouragement for Leaders Your group members are planning real steps of life change! Praise God!

The Repentance Plan chart is a tool to help people identify what needs to change in

their life and to help them take real steps of obedience.

o This exercise is to get them to look at sinful patterns, to understand God’s

direction, set boundaries and plan a godly response – to take real steps of

dying to their sinful patterns and turning to Christ.

Go over a personal example of a repentance plan in your own life for participants’

understanding.

Reserve some group time for participants to work on plans so you can help with

questions.

Heart change is infinitely more important that behavior modification. Though this

lesson includes changing behaviors, participants won’t be able to follow their own

plan under their own strength. It’s only by the Holy Spirit that they will be able to

follow God’s plan.

This plan helps people take real steps of change, but also show them that they need

God’s strength to do God’s will.

Remember how you responded to temptation and sin before coming to recovery.

Praise God for the freedom he has given you!


Step Six, Week Three






To experience God’s freedom: God must change you inside and you must be willing to

take steps of obedience.

Your natural response to temptation and stress is sinful.

How does God want you to respond? Plan a godly response to temptation and stress.

Rely upon God’s direction and provision to walk in his ways.


Things to Remember Confession and repentance go hand in hand. Proverbs 28:13, “Whoever conceals his

transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain

mercy.”

Dying to your old life isn’t pleasant or easy. Participants with need God’s Spirit,

strength, comfort, word and people for this transformation to occur.

Key Questions There is only one day of questions for this step. Question 5 is a good one for

discussion.

Encouragement for Participants You are taking real steps of life change! Jesus said in Luke 9:23-24, “…If anyone

would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will

save it.”

Encourage participants with the changes they are making in life.

Remind them to share the plan with others who can help.

Like inventory, this tool can be used for any struggle at any time. This is a tool they

can use the rest of their lives.

You are halfway through the steps!

Take time to pray and thank God as a group for the changes he is making in the

group!

Encouragement for Leaders Remind participants to keep taking one step at time. Finish strong.

Talk with your co-leader about how each group member is doing and how to

encourage them.

Plan a group celebration for completing this book! Relational time outside of group

time helps build friendship bonds.

Consider ways your group can serve at re:gen (12 steps, greeting, parking, etc.). It’s

important to encourage people to focus on others instead of only focusing on

themselves. It is not just volunteering, but it is being part of others’ recovery journey.

Remind participants pick up Book 4 and assign next lesson.

Email the mentors to let them know the group has finished this step and will be

beginning a new book.


Praise God for the work he is doing! Remember why we are serving and who we are

serving: 1 Timothy 4:10-11, “For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our

hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who

believe. Command and teach these things.”

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