Session Extras

Year 2

Overcoming Sin: Session 2
Envy

Below are some great links for further study and discussion. Check out the book suggestions. We've also included additional resources for leaders.

Digging Deeper:

• In the article “God's Charge to Love One Another” Anne Meskey Elhajoui encourages us to take on a pure and humble heart, surrendering to Jesus’ love.
  What does it mean to follow Jesus? Read more in Jan Johnson’s interview with Dallas Willard in “Apprentice to the Master.”

  • Our daily decisions can show what is in our hearts. In the article “Decisions, Decisions” Robert C. Crosby points us to the kind of heart God wants to grow in us.
  • Our God’s love is unconditional. Check out the article by Bruce Larson called "Choose Life!"

For Small Group Facilitators/Leaders:

The discussion session is designed for a one-hour session. Here are suggestions for how to shorten or lengthen the session, as well as what part to emphasize.

Shorter session:

• In the Word Search, select one or two passages to discuss. In the Bring It Home section, use Option 2, focusing on one of the questions.

Longer session:

• Begin your group meeting with a little fun. Give prizes (candy or white elephant items) to the person whose name has the most letters in it or who has the most letter “E’s”. Give your group more time to share what they learned by reading the devotionals during the For Starters section.

Here are some additional ideas to help you tailor the lesson to your group.

• For Starters:
  • Come to the meeting with one or two insights you had from the reading to help your group to share their ideas.
• Let’s Focus:
  • Ask for volunteers to read the introduction and focus statement. Be aware that not everyone is comfortable reading aloud. Instead of asking everyone to read, ask for two readers, one to read the first paragraph and one to read the next paragraph. Continue reading using this pattern.
• Word Search:
  • Genesis 37:1-11. In this account of Jacob’s life we are introduced to Joseph. While this dream is a prediction of the brothers bowing to Joseph in Egypt, it also shows Joseph’s ability (from God) to interpret the meaning of dreams.
  • Psalm 73
    • Read the whole psalm. Notice how the psalmist takes the reader from feelings of envy and points us back to God.
    • Listen to Richard Mouw’s reflections on Psalm 73 in the sermon "How to See Things in the Right Way."
  • Luke 1:46-53. Mary spoke these words when she visited Elizabeth. It is a song of praise to the Lord for mercy and goodness. Notice how the words echo the themes from the psalms.
• Bring It Home
  • Option 1:
    • Bring a board or sheets of newsprint and something to write with to the group meeting.
    • Find more information on James 3 from a commentary.
  • Option 2:
    • Listen carefully to people’s responses. Reply with a positive response such as “Thank you for your insight.” If you receive an unexpected response, don’t try to correct that person; say “I’ve never thought of it that way” or “That’s an interesting perspective.” Group members need to know they can share their questions and thoughts without being made to feel foolish.
  • Option 3:
    • If your group is having trouble getting started, begin by brainstorming some positive qualities such as likeable, compassionate, giving, hospitable, sharing, etc. Invite the group to get more specific (wears interesting shoes, has good taste in music).
    • If your group is small, ask everyone to write down one positive quality about each person in the group. Then read the lists and see if the group can guess who each statement describes.
• Pray It Through:
  • Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. After each verse have a time of silence for the group to reflect on the verse.
  • Conclude the prayer with the beginning of verse 8: “Love never fails.”
• Live It Out:
  • Print Psalm 73:23-25 on cards or bookmarks.
  • Give them to your group to take home.

Submit your ideas!

Do you have suggestions for this particular session? Something that was especially meaningful for you or your group? Extra reading you’d like to suggest? Help others get the most out of this session. Send your ideas to editors@FaithAliveResources.org and we’ll consider adding them here!