Warm-up: Which ONE PERSON in your life has loved you the most?

For Discussion:

1. For what reasons could you say that the U.S. is a Christian nation?

2. For what reasons could you say that the U.S. is NOT a Christian nation?

3. Read John 8:2-11. Which part of this account stands out the most personally to you? Why?

At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir,’ she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’

-John 8:2-11

4. Give examples of and discuss counterfeit gods that can creep into the life of Christians. (Some of your answers will be different from the subject matter of Jeff’s message.)

5. Jeff asked the question, “What should we learn from this time together?” He then explained each point. Discuss the meaning of each point and how it applies to each of us.

• 1. Work to redeem this land for the sake of our children.
• 2. Work toward repentance for the sake of salvation.
• 3. Work toward purity for the sake of distinction.

6. From this message, what specifically encouraged you the most?

7. What are the high points for you from this series of messages?