Step 12 - Regenerate

Because of our new lives in Christ, we carry God’s message of reconciliation to others and practice these principles in every aspect of our live.

Foundation 12

“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.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)

Key Theme

Call all people to be fully devoted followers of Christ.

Remember

Unite with God in his purpose for your life and participate in his plan for the world.

Things to Remember

• Celebrate the amazing changes God is making in the lives of your group members!
• This week we discuss the ministry of reconciliation and the role (and timing) of participants in the reconciliation process.
• Learn how to confront sin and handle conflict.

Key Questions

• Review questions from Day 6 are important, especially Q2: What questions do you have about handling conflict biblically? And Q3: What questions do you have about your role in biblical reconciliation?
• Share Commencement date.

Reconciliation

• Reconciliation—the final stage of peacemaking—is agreement between people that their debts are settled.
• Sometimes we forgive and make amends but remain unreconciled because someone hasn’t addressed his or her sin that contributed to the conflict.
• If someone’s sin is harming his or her relationship with God and others, it is loving to make them aware of it, and let them know that reconciliation with God is necessary and possible.
• When someone is reconciled to God, he or she will begin to reconcile earthly relationships.
• The debts against us belong to God now.
• We confront sin against us as an act of love. Reconciliation with God is most important.
  

Purpose for Confronting sin (L-O-V-E)

• Love is the goal. Deal with your side first (forgiveness and amends). Overlook minor offenses. Deal with sin harming that person’s relationship with God and others. Reconciliation is possible through Christ.
• Only God can change hearts. Pray. Search the word. Seek godly counsel. You are powerless to fix someone else.
• Speak truth in love. Be honest about damage caused by sin.
  
• Extend Christ’s kindness, mercy, and grace. Be willing to have a new relationship based on truth. Don’t dwell on the past if amends is made. If someone won’t repent, don’t enable sin but keep loving them like Christ.
• Matthew 18:15-17 shows us how to confront sins against us: Go in private; widen the circle to a few close friends; involve the Church (Christians in that person’s life); treat the person as someone who is not following the faith – with love and wisdom.

Reconciliation Plans

• Participants will plan two reconciliation meetings. Participants should plan to meet with their mentors next week to discuss reconciliation plans in detail.
• We are teaching a process.

Encouragemenr for Leaders

• Is there anyone in your life with whom you are not reconciled?
• Have you done all that depends upon you to be reconciled? Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”