The R’s of Life
Ezekiel 18:1-9
Richard Dahlstrom, Senior Pastor, stepbystepjourney.com
To stay on the path toward the life for which we’re created, we’ll need to continually fan into flame these three practices.
I. Embrace Reality
A. The family of origin excuse (Ezequiel 18:2)
B. The “I’m special” excuse
II. Embrace Repentance
III. Experience Righteousness
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1. Speaking about the Church, Richard commented, "The exile that was real in the time of Ezekiel is real in our time as well." what does that mean? Do you agree or disagree?
2. In Ezekiel 18:1-4, Israel makes excuses, blaming their parents for their current predicament. God says, "stop!" Why is this excuse-making behavior so tempting?
3. What is the problem with a lifestyle of excuse-making? How does it limit us?
4. When it comes to living well in Exile, how might our privilege (social, material, etc.) become a type of excuse? What posture can we assume in order to avoid living into this particular temptation?
5. Of the excuses Richard named (1. the family of origin excuse & 2. the "I'm special" excuse) - which are you tempted to adopt?
6. The implicit invitation of Ez. 18:1-9 is to turn away (repent!) from idols or things we think will give our life meaning apart from God. What idols are you tempted to look to in your life? As you've sought meaning from those things, what has been the result?
7. What does the term "righteousness" mean? How is it connected to the term repentance?
8. Richard stated, "Never confuse 'cleaning the house' with repentance; you have to refurnish the house." What is he implying about repentance with this metaphor? How does this challenge our common understanding of repentance?
9. Where might you be sensing an invitation to repentance in your own life?