Set Free: From Generational Sin - Message Study Questions

Message Summary

Generational sins are cycles of destruction that plague people. When a father or mother has a sinful lifestyle, their children are likely to practice the same sinful lifestyle. Emotional damage and baggage caused by generational sin can be hard to see and unless you repeal it, you will repeat it. Each generation has the choice to let their natural inclination repeat the cycle or to find a better way. You will not be able to be set free from generational sin unless you confront it and allow Christ to release you from it. To defeat generational sin, you must first recognize it and then forgive those involved. Second, repent of generational sin. You must take a different direction with your thoughts, words, and actions. When you are tempted to repeat your patterns, remember that you repented of them, God forgave you, and you have the Holy Spirit in you to help you walk in your new life. When you unbind yourself from generational sin, you will experience peace of mind, joy, contentment, better relationships, and the list goes on. You can be set free by recognizing generational sin, repenting of it, and then walking in this new freedom, staying free.

Think about your unhealthy thoughts and behaviors. Do you have any? Where did they come from? Some may be new issues, but others may have originated in your family history.
Without being overly critical, can you identify any destructive patterns from mom or dad that may have surfaced in your life or that of a sibling?

Consider This

Generational sins often hide in plain sight. The four generations of deceitfulness flowing from Nahor to Bethuel and then to Rebekah and finally Jacob were clearly documented. And yet, were they aware of this sin and its extremely negative consequences?

Can you share a pattern of sinful behavior in yourself, your parents, or grandparents that was particularly difficult to recognize?
Why do you think some parents favor one child over another(s)?
Do you need to forgive your parents, grandparents, or other relatives? Why is granting forgiveness so important for your emotional and spiritual wellbeing?
What is reconciliation and what might it take in your life to have it?
What is repentance, and what might that look like for you?
“You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind … for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me,” (Exodus 20:3-4 NLT).
- What is the sin of idolatry? What does it mean to you? Why do you think it has such a negative effect on children?
Read Numbers 14:18-23. Why was the Lord so angry with the Israelites? Who bore the consequences of this rebellion against God (verses 14:33-35)?
- What does this tell you about the importance of parents following God?
- How did the children of this generation break the model of their parents and stay free (see Joshua 24:16-24)?
Why do you think people continue to follow negative patterns of behavior, thoughts and words?
Why do you think some children from the same parents turn out differently?

Moving forward – Application

Invite Christ into the mess to break the chains that keep you from living in freedom. How?

Have you repented of generational sin in the past, or do you need to now? What specifically can you do this week to make a 180 degree change from negative behaviors, thoughts and words?
As you run your race for Christ this week, what is one way you can free yourself from generational sin?
Read Romans 8:11-27 and make a list of everything that the Holy Spirit does for you. How do they apply to “staying free?”
Memorize Romans 12:2 this week and consider.
- How can your mind, your way of thinking, be changed?
- What must happen for you to be able to discern and agree with God’s will for you?
- Can you do this on your own?
- How else can your mind be renewed according to Psalm 1:1-3?