We face so many doors of decision in our lives we’re bound to walk through a few that we shouldn’t. In fact, some of us feel like we’re prone to picking the wrong doors at key moments in life. Can we go back? Is it worth the pain to turn around and face that same door again? How do we handle the feeling of regret that comes along with poor decisions in our past? This Sunday, we’ll explore how God wants to help us turn around and find a new path.

Group Discussion Guide

Memory Verse

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9

Opening

• Begin your time with prayer.
• Go around and share “highs and lows” from the week. What have been the highlights of your week? What has been hard this week?
• Share our Big Idea for today with the group: We can walk through regret into new life and forgiveness in Jesus.

Watch the Video

Connect

Discuss the following questions together:

• Which do you think brings people more regret: things they’ve done or should have done but didn’t? Why?
• What kind of situations and decisions do people often regret?
• Share a time someone told you about a significant regret in your life.

Unpack

Go around your group and have someone read each of the following verses. Don’t comment specifically on each one, but rather use the questions below to guide your responses as you consider all of the verses.

READ

• 1 John 1:9
• Acts 3:19
• 2 Corinthians 7:10

DISCUSS

• Based on the verses we just read, what are the benefits of choosing repentance over regret?
• If you practiced repentance, what would change in your life that might help you feel more freedom in your relationship with God?

Now let’s read a longer section of scripture about this same topic. In Psalm 51, King David is processing a very poor decision he made to have an extramarital affair and violently cover it up. Despite his grave sin, this psalm gives us a window into his process of repentance.

• Read Psalm 51 together.
• What are some specific ways that David responds in repentance in Psalm 51?
• Which of David’s repentant responses could you integrate into your own life to help you overcome regret?

Apply

Based on the verses we just read, there are a few things that we can do in response. Take a moment to discuss these application questions as a group.

• If you’re comfortable, what are some situations of regret that you would like to share with the group
• What would be the next step toward repentance in your life?
• What lessons has God taught you through your regretful experiences? How can you use those lessons to help others?

Closing

• In this group, we can be vulnerable and ask for help. This week let’s make sure we’re staying connected with one another and asking for the support and encouragement we need to turn to God and let him help us process our regrets.

Daily Bible Reading

Use the S.O.A.K. method to reflect on the verses below.

Scripture: Read the verses several times out loud.
Observation: As you read the scripture, what do you observe?
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do or feel based on what you have read?
Kneel: This is a chance to pray about what you have read and learned.

• Day 1: Hosea 6:1
• Day 2: Luke 15:7
• Day 3: Psalm 30:5
• Day 4: Psalm 103:12
• Day 5: Isaiah 43:18-19
• Day 6: Romans 8:28