GODLY SORROW
Recognizing the depth of God's love.
Introduction
This workbook is designed to guide you through understanding godly sorrow, its significance in your faith journey, and how it leads to true repentance and life. Over the next 30 minutes, you will engage with Scripture, reflect on its meaning, and identify practical action points to apply in your life.
Session Outline
Scripture Readings (15 minutes)
Reflection Questions (10 minutes)
Action Points (5 minutes)
1. Scripture Readings
A. Genesis 3:6-10 (ESV)
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.
8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord among the trees of the garden.
9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”
10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.”
B. Genesis 5:28-29 (ESV)
28 When Lamech had lived 182 years, he fathered a son and called his name Noah, saying, “Out of the ground that the Lord has cursed, this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands.”
C. Genesis 6:5-8 (ESV)
5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6 And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.
7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.”
8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
2. Reflection Questions
Take 10 minutes to reflect on the following questions. Write your thoughts in a journal or notebook.
Understanding Sorrow:
What do you think is the difference between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow? How do these types of sorrow manifest in your life?
God’s Nature:
How do you perceive God's nature based on the Scriptures you read? How does understanding God’s desire for your restoration affect your view of sorrow?
Personal Impact:
Reflect on a time when you felt true godly sorrow. What led to that experience, and how did it change your behavior or perspective?
Judgment vs. Grace:
In what ways do you see God’s grace reflected in the stories of Noah and Adam? How does this influence your understanding of judgment?
3. Action Points
Spend 5 minutes identifying practical steps you can take based on your reflections.
Daily Prayer:
Commit to a daily prayer asking God to reveal any areas of your life where you might be experiencing worldly sorrow instead of godly sorrow.
Journaling:
Write down one specific area where you feel God is calling you to deeper sorrow leading to repentance. Reflect on how this can lead to growth in your faith.
Acts of Service:
Identify one way you can serve someone in need this week as an expression of your understanding of God’s grace and mercy.
Accountability Partner:
Find a friend or fellow believer to share your reflections with and ask them to hold you accountable in your journey toward embracing godly sorrow.
Closing Prayer
Take a moment to pray, asking God to help you embrace godly sorrow and to lead you toward true repentance and life in Him.
Feel free to revisit this workbook as needed, reflecting on your growth and understanding over time.