INTRODUCTION

Regret- what a horrible word. The only thing worse than regrets is choosing to stay in patterns which lead to more regrets. Those patterns do not need to be permanent. But we must choose to take a moment to review the game film of our life and then consider changes. During the next five weeks we will invite you to stop to consider five questions that could change the trajectory of your life and also change the way you affect those around you. We invite you to engage, consider, and choose. You will not regret it!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. We all have regrets. What is something you learned from one of your regrets?
2. When you are questioned do you feel like someone is yelling at you? Do you feel judged? Although you may get yelled at and you may get judged, but what do you think is the best way for you to respond to questions- regardless of their tone or their motives?
3. When have you based a decision solely on your immediate happiness or gratification? Please describe the decision and the result.
4. When Pastor Cory talked about the Sales Associate in our heads what is your inner Sales Associate able to sell you that you know is not beneficial in any way, yet you continue to be a a regular buyer? Since he is so convincing what can you do to mitigate his repeated success in getting you to cave to his completely predictable sales pitches?
5. Everybody wins a trophy. No body is ever wrong. Everyone is doing their best. Pigs can fly. Our culture prioritizes self care and that is positive, but is it beneficial if it is not based on truth? What lies do your embrace in an attempt to not feel badly about yourself?
6. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that our hearts are “deceitful above all things and beyond cure.” Yikes! When you compare that verse with your heart what do you see?
7. All of our poor choices and regrets came to use one decision at a time. What is one decision you feel led to commit to so that you can start to turn the tide on some patterns in your life?
8. Pastor Cory asked us to commit to the following statement, “ I will not lie to myself even if the truth makes me feel bad about myself.” This is NOT an easy commitment to make! Please share your starting point in this process and anything relating to that.
9. Our biggest hindrance to taking these courageous steps can be blaming someone else or waiting for something to happen before we are willing to take steps in vulnerability and obedience. Can you name an obstacle that wants to bog you down in this process? Are you willing to entrust those uncontrollable factors to God while allowing Him to lead you on a path of better decisions and fewer regrets?

MOVING FORWARD

Most of us have already made some easy changes in our lives. Those changes have been good and we do not regret them. This series is inviting us to areas that are deeper and can be way more tricky. Many of the messy and difficult areas of our lives are there because they are the result of our own choices. The great news is that those patterns can be broken plus God wants to help us! When He reveals these areas to us it is never to shame us and always to invite us to the abundance He has for us and for those around us. Let’s decide to walk way from regrets and towards the better things Jesus has for us!