worldlysorrow4

Introduction

Welcome to this workbook on understanding godly versus worldly sorrow. As you seek to grow in your Christian faith, it's essential to establish secure foundations based on biblical principles. This workbook is designed to guide you through scripture readings, reflections, and action points to help you navigate the concept of sorrow in a godly way.

Objectives

• To understand the difference between godly and worldly sorrow.

• To reflect on biblical examples of each type of sorrow.

• To develop practical steps for responding to sorrow in a godly manner.

Session Outline (30 minutes)

1. Opening Prayer (5 minutes)

Prayer:

"Heavenly Father, thank You for being the God of heaven and for Your boundless mercy, grace, and goodness. We lift up our lives before You, asking for the presence of Your Holy Spirit. Help us to be open to Your heart, love, and mercy. Grant us wisdom, understanding, and a true grasp of Your will. Reveal Jesus Christ to us and mold us into His image. In Jesus' name, Amen."

2. Scripture Reading and Reflection (15 minutes)

A. Genesis 3:7-10

Read Genesis 3:7-10
"Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ He said, ‘I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.’"

Reflection Questions:

1. What new perspectives and actions are introduced as a result of Adam and Eve’s sin?

2. How does their response to God’s presence reflect their sorrow?

Action Point:
Consider an area in your life where you might be using "fig leaves" to cover up or hide from God. Reflect on how you can bring this before God with honesty.

B. Numbers 20:6-11

Read Numbers 20:6-11
"Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. Then the glory of the Lord appeared to them. The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Take the staff and assemble the congregation, you and your brother Aaron, and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water. Thus you shall bring water out of the rock for them; thus you shall give drink to the congregation and their livestock.’” … "Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff; water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their livestock drank."

Reflection Questions:

1. What was Moses’ attitude towards the people, and how did it affect his actions?

2. How does Moses' response highlight the difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow?

Action Point:
Reflect on a situation where you might have acted out of frustration or anger. Ask God to reveal if there was a lack of trust in Him and seek forgiveness.

C. Genesis 16:1-6

Read Genesis 16:1-6
"Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, bore him no children. She had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said to Abram, ‘Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my maid; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.’ And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. So after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to Abram her husband as a wife. And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress. And Sarai said to Abram, ‘May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my maid into your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the Lord judge between you and me.’”

Reflection Questions:

1. What led Sarai to act out of worldly sorrow, and how did it affect her relationship with Abram and Hagar?

2. How can we avoid the pitfalls of worldly sorrow in our own lives?

Action Point:
Identify a situation where you may be feeling frustration or anger towards others. Pray for God’s help to handle the situation with grace and trust in His plan.

3. Summary and Action Plan (10 minutes)

Summary:

• Worldly Sorrow leads to frustration, anger, and self-justification. It often results in actions that do not align with God's will and can lead to further consequences.

• Godly Sorrow leads to repentance and transformation. It comes from a place of trust in God and His sovereignty, leading to life and reconciliation.

Action Points:

1. Examine Your Heart: Regularly assess your responses to difficult situations. Are they motivated by frustration and self-justification, or by trust in God's plan?

2. Seek Godly Wisdom: When faced with challenges, pray for wisdom to respond in a way that honors God and reflects His love and grace.

3. Practice Repentance: If you recognize worldly sorrow in your actions, seek forgiveness and ask God to help you align your heart with His will.

Closing Prayer:

"Heavenly Father, thank You for the wisdom and guidance found in Your Word. Help us to discern between worldly and godly sorrow and to respond with repentance and trust. May Your Spirit lead us to live in a way that reflects Your love and grace. In Jesus' name, Amen."