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MESSAGE: Breaking Bad Habits
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Colossians 3:1-15

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Bad habits are like weeds: they grow without effort and it’s hard to get rid of them! Most people excuse their bad habits as idiosyncrasies or "just being human." But stubborn habits have a way of mastering us if we won’t master them first. We all know the cycle of enjoying a forbidden pleasure, feeling guilty, repenting, enjoying a few moments of victory, and then failing again. Today, let’s explore how we can do better than taking one step forward and two steps back.

STUDY GUIDE
Connect Group Guide: June 13, 2021
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: “Breaking Bad Habits”
Text: Colossians 3:1-15

Main Point
Bad habits are like weeds: they grow without effort and it’s hard to get rid of them! Most people excuse their bad habits as idiosyncrasies or “just being human.” But stubborn habits have a way of mastering us if we won’t master them first. We all know the cycle of enjoying a forbidden pleasure, feeling guilty, repenting, enjoying a few moments of victory, and then failing again. In this message, we explore how we can do better than taking one step forward and two steps back: think clearly, act decisively, live accountably.

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” —Colossians 3:1-4

Talk about It

  1. In Psalm 32, David gave an account of how he felt when he hid his sin. He lists the effects of unconfessed sins in verses 3-5. Discuss the consequences of not confessing your sin and what they add up to. Then, read 1 John 1:9.
  2. What areas of your life have you already seen God conquer? What areas could you take pause, and thank the Lord for the victory He’s already given you?
  3. How does the human body purge impurities, deal with disease, and compensate for weakness? In comparison, discuss how the body of Christ ought to act and how we can help each other mature. Refer to 1 Corinthians 12 for the body of Christ.
“Sin never appears irresistible until you want to be free from it.” —Pastor Skip

Make It PracticalPray
Father, thank you for freedom and liberation from sin. Help us discover more of that liberty as we grow to know and seek You. Give us the spiritual stamina to reckon ourselves dead—putting off patterns of sin, dealing brutally with destructive behaviors, and enlisting accountability and support from others. Although no one is sinless, thank you that the more we walk with you, the more we can sin less. May that be true for us. In Jesus’ name and for His glory. Amen.

Facilitator Tips

OUTLINE


  1. Think Clearly (vv. 1-4)

    1. Know Your Position

    2. Seek Your Possession

  2. Act Decisively (vv. 5-11)

    1. Put Off Old Vices

    2. Put On New Virtues

  3. Live Accountably (vv. 12-15)

    1. Encourage God’s People

    2. Enjoy God’s Peace


Breaking Bad Habits - Colossians 3:1-15 | SkipHeitzig.com/4656
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