Introduction:
Begin with prayer.
Express your appreciation for their initiative in coming back to church. Remember, it takes courage!
Encourage them to be open about their life.
What Led to Them Falling Away?
Discuss what led up to them falling away. Go back several months prior to their leaving the church. Draw a timeline if they are comfortable with you doing this. As you hear the situations, think of the corresponding sins and character weaknesses from the following passages: Gal. 5:19-21, Eph. 4:20-5:5 and Jas. 4:17 (which you should review in advance). This is not the time to confront their sin! Rather it is a time for you to gain an understanding of their specific situation and their character. Ask questions such as:
1. Who were you closest to before you left?
2. What were your quiet times like?
3. Is there anyone that you are unresolved with?
4. When did you first start thinking about falling away?
5. Did you discuss this with anyone? Were you open about your doubts?
Ask questions that enable them to talk and be completely open. Draw them out and let them speak openly without feeling judged.
Fruit of the Spirit (read Gal. 5:22-23)
Read through and briefly discuss fruits God’s spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These are the attributes that we should see growing in our lives if we are drawing closer to God being “transformed into His likeness”. (2 Cor 3:18)
Read Gal. 5:19-21,
Ask what sins they have been involved in that pulled them away from God. How are these sins in contrast to the Fruit of the Spirit?
Remain in Christ (read Jn.15:1-17)
“Remain in me” – to be faithful disciples, we must remain in Jesus Christ. Discuss what this means from this passage. For example: Bible study, prayer, avoidance of sin, sharing the Gospel with others.
“Remain in my love” – to overcome sin and stay grateful, we must go back to the cross often and grow in our understanding of grace.
“Love each other” – to remain in the vine we must work to stay united with our brothers and sisters. Satan’s goal is to divide us. He sends thoughts and attitudes our direction to separate us from other disciples and destroy our unity.
Explain that God was involved in their leaving (Jn.15:1-2, 5-6).
That is, regardless of what their situation was, they did not just leave God. In fact, God will actually cut them off because of unrepented sin.
Explain to them that leaving the church was just a result of them no longer being attached to the vine. Many who have left God mentioned that prior to leaving they lost their faith in God. They mentioned that they had stopped having solid quiet times and praying.
Read Rom. 10:17 and remind them that the only way faith comes is by hearing God’s Word.
What do you think is different this time from when you first studied the bible?
Hebrews 6:6 “….to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting them to public disgrace.”
This is not just about how you treated your brothers and sisters, your leaders and all who loved you. This very personal with God, sin killed his son and now he has had to feel the pain all over again.
How does this make you feel?
Read through the account of the crucifixion
Mt 26:36-27:61
Read
Ro 5:6-8
2 Cor 5:21
After reading these passages of scripture, tell me your thoughts about what God has done for you to have this opportunity to be forgiven and restored to His family.
It would be good for you to spend some very focused intense time this week talking with God in a very personal way to make things right with Him.
Here’s the amazing news in light of what we’ve just come to understand.
God Still Wants you to be Saved! (read I Tim. 2:3-4)
God is reaching out to you once again! He has not given up on you! He still has a dream for your life! He still wants you to be with him for eternity.
Pray together.
Schedule a prayer time together. Talk often through the week. Make sure that relationships in the body are being developed; insure that there is fun and great talks going on in addition to the studies.
Schedule your next study.
