Aid to Brokenness

The following was used very effectively at the 1999 Men's Retreat

Aid to Brokenness, Confession, & Repentance

Psalm 139:23-24. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Go somewhere alone and quiet. Get comfortable. Take your time.

1. Read the verse from your Bible. Reread it if you don't understand it the first time.

2. Read the questions on this handout.

3. Pray something like this: "Father, bring to mind any sin in this area."

4. Be still and wait on the Lord. Let Him bring to mind any examples of where you miss the mark.

Take cryptic notes. If you are not blatantly sinning in an area, is there at least room for improvement? Write something to yourself in each area -- especially victories!

5. It's okay to feel bad and even cry about your sins. This is evidence of a humble and contrite heart (brokenness).

6. Agree with God (Confess).

7. Repent (turn about 180 degrees). Ask God to give you the strength stick with your repentance.

8. Later... Is there a Christian brother whom you can share your notes with? Pray about this.

Lust 1 Peter 2:11, Matt 5:28

Are you guilty of a lustful eye toward anyone?

Do you expose your mind to sexually suggestive TV programs or movies? Pornography?

Love of God and Obedience to God Josh 22:5, John 14:23-23

Do you tell others that you love God yet you knowingly disobey his commands?

Does your disobedience reveal a distrust of God and His promises (think hard about this one.)?

Thankfulness 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Do you fail to thank God for all things: the good as well as the seemingly bad?

Do you thank God for the "little" blessings given each day?

Anger James 1:19-20

Do you break out in anger when things don't go your way?

Or, are you quick to listen & slow to speak, particularly to your spouse and children?

Forgiveness Matthew 18:21-22

What has God forgiven you of recently? Is there someone you are refusing to forgive?

Peacemaking John 13:35

Are you party to a faction or division within your work, church or ministry?

Would you rather add fuel to a conflict than help correct it?

Judgment Matthew 7:1-2

Have you in thought, word or deed judged someone? Have you failed to consider "the log in your own eye" (v3)?

Rebellion Romans 13:1-2

Do you resist the authorities God has placed over you? Do you sidestep laws, even the little ones, because of indifference, carelessness or outright disobedience?

Work Ethic Colossians 3:23-24

Are you working to please men instead of God? Are you dissatisfied with receiving a reward from God alone for your efforts?

Arrogance Daniel 4:28-31

Do you go about your work with self-sufficiency or self-effort? Do you work to satisfy your own purposes?

Lying Colossians 3:9

Do you lie outright or by omission of the truth?

Do you tell stories the way you want them rather than the way they really are?

Partiality/Prejudice James 2:4,9

Do you show partiality based on social status or rank? Are you prejudice towards any group of people based upon race or beliefs?

Love of the World & Materialism 1 John 2:15-17

What things of the world captivate your desire? Do you hold things like your family and your possessions in a closed fist or resting on an open hand? Are you jealous of others because of their success, position or wealth?

Love of Money Hebrews 13:5, 2 Corinthians 9:7

Are you a "tither" or a "tipper"? Does your Sunday giving consist of looking in your wallet to see what you can "afford" to give? Are you cheerfully giving back to God what is His? Have you seriously prayed about how much to give and then agreed to trust Him for the answer.

1st Love Rev 2:3-4

Have other people, your family or personal goals replaced God as your 1st love?

Are you doing good deeds simply out of your love for God with no expectation of a payback?

Pride Romans 12:3, Isaiah 48:11

Are you proud of your spiritual accomplishments, your talents or your family?

Are you trying to share God's glory by taking even partial credit for what He has done?

Protecting Others 1 Corinthians 8:9-12

Do you make special provision not to tempt a weaker brother or sister?

Encouraging Others Hebrews 3:13

Do you look beyond your own circumstances to encourage others around you?

Restoring Others Galatians 6:1

Are you restoring a fallen brother through a sense of superiority or legalism?

Are you considering your own weaknesses in this same area?

Serving Others Galatians 5:13

Are you selfish in not placing the needs of others above your own?

Are you serving in demonstrative ways to even the least of all brethren?

Inadequacy Phil 2:13, Phil 1:6

Do feelings of inadequacy keep you from serving God?

Do you trust Him that He will enable you to accomplish what He wants of you?

Witnessing Acts 1:8

Have you refused the Holy Spirit's urging to share the Gospel with someone?

Do you rely upon the Holy Spirit to direct the content of each unique witness?

Worry Matthew 6:31-34

What do you worry about? Do you fail to trust God's promise of provision?

Marriage Ephesians 5:23-25

Husband, do you demonstrate your love for your wife by serving her?

Husband, do you fantasize about other women when you make love to your wives?

Rest Genesis 2:2-3

Do you neglect the principle of Sabbath rest? Are you a workaholic?

Do you get sufficient rest so that God can effectively use you?

Prayer Luke 18:1

Do you delight in prayer (i.e. communicating with God) or is it a chore?

Do you spend time in prayer worshipping God without asking for something?

Lone Ranger Syndrome Eccl 3:12

Do you have an accountability partner? If not, have you persistently prayed that God will provide one? Do you have "secret sins" that you know you need to tell a brother about?

True Brokenness Ps 51:16-17

After all of the above, do you see that surrender to God (brokenness) is the first step in repentance? Are you truly broken before God? LIST BELOW THE THINGS YOU WEREN'T TOTALLY HONEST ABOUT ON THIS HANDOUT OR SINS IN YOUR LIFE THAT WEREN'T ADDRESSED. DO IT!