Active Christians Today University of Toledo
ACT UT Tuesdays: "Flirting with Sin"
The real world is made up of real choices and as Believers, our goal should be to make those choices with God's Word as our foundation. Our Small Group “Jesus in the Real World” examines real life case studies with the goal of responding to each as Jesus would.
Locations & Times
Active Christians Today UToledo
Tuesday 8:00 PM
Jesus in the Real World
Case Study - Flirting with Sin
How close can we get to sin without actually sinning? Is that a question we should even ask? And how do we determine the line? The reality is that sin never stays little but for some reason we like flirting with sin.
Opening Questions
Have you ever wondered how close you can get to sin without actually sinning? Why do we think this way?
How do you determine whether something is truly “sin” in your life?
What activities, attitudes or behaviors in your life possibly qualify as sin but you choose to ignore them? Why don’t you call these sin?
Consider these questions as you read Gianna’s story....
Case Study - Flirting with Sin
How close can we get to sin without actually sinning? Is that a question we should even ask? And how do we determine the line? The reality is that sin never stays little but for some reason we like flirting with sin.
Opening Questions
Have you ever wondered how close you can get to sin without actually sinning? Why do we think this way?
How do you determine whether something is truly “sin” in your life?
What activities, attitudes or behaviors in your life possibly qualify as sin but you choose to ignore them? Why don’t you call these sin?
Consider these questions as you read Gianna’s story....
Gianna’s Story
It was the spring semester at the university and Gianna finally found a Christian group where she was happy. The group was committed to God, studied Scripture and focused on discipleship. These were the exact things Gianna needed in her life.
Gianna was especially impressed with Lilly, one of the leaders in the group. Lilly’s commitment to God seemed real. She knew her Bible and was able to quickly quote Scripture on any subject. She talked about her love for God and how it influenced her daily decisions. “This is someone I need to get to know,” thought Gianna.
She had her chance after Bible Study one night. Gianna asked Lilly if they could go out for coffee and talk. Lilly seemed flattered and quickly agreed. “If you want, why don’t we do dinner. I have some grocery shopping to do, too if you want to come along.”
A few hours later Gianna found herself riding along with Lilly as they zipped through traffic. A few times Gianna got nervous as she noticed Lilly driving at far above the speed limit. Another time, Lilly screamed at another driver for cutting her off and laid on her horn. There were a few stop signs Lilly rolled through and Gianna was pretty sure that was a red light they went through before pulling into the grocery store.
They talked as they wandered the aisles. Lilly popped a couple of grapes into her mouth in the produce section. “I think you’re supposed to pay for that,” Gianna nervously laughed. “Oh, it’s just a sample. No big deal,” responded Lilly.
On the way back to the car, Gianna noticed an icon for a game she wanted to play on Lilly’s phone. “How did you get that?” Gianna asked. “It’s not even available in the United States.” “Oh, I have family in London,” Lilly answered. “They let me sign in on their account so I can play it.” Gianna was surprised but she didn’t say anthing.
When they got in the car, Gianna noticed it wasn’t Lilly’s name on her music account. “Who is Chad?” Gianna asked. “He’s one of our ministry leaders. We share my music account to save us some money. You know, us poor students have to find a way.”
Gianna again didn’t say anything but her discomfort was beginning to grow. It didn’t get any better when they started talking about their favorite television shows. Lilly mentioned a particular program and Gianna reacted immediately. “You watch that? Really?” Gianna said, incredulously. “Don’t worry,” Lilly said, missing the point, “it’s on my brother’s video account.”
“No,” said Gianna, “that’s not what I meant. Doesn’t it bother you as a Christian to watch stuff like that? I mean, even my non-Christian friends won’t watch that show.”
“Does it really bother you that I watch it?” Lilly asked. “I’m surprised, I guess,” said Gianna. Lilly was quiet for a moment. “What’s good for me may not be good for you,” said defensively. “I have a great relationship with God and that stuff just never really bothered me. I know what goes too far.”
“It just seems like you’re walking up to the edge,” Gianna said. “To the edge of what, Gianna?” “Sin. Do you really know how it’s affecting you?”
“My life is my proof,” Lilly said. “I’m finally on the ministry leadership team after wanting it for so long. I’ll never understand how they let Kyrsten stay after all the stuff she was into. And now I’m leading up our outreach team and just sitting here with you is proof that my influence is making a difference. Can’t you see that?”
Gianna didn’t know what to say. Lilly finally spoke up sarcastically, “I don’t have religious OCD looking for sin around every corner if that’s what you think.”
Gianna tells you her story and you say...
It was the spring semester at the university and Gianna finally found a Christian group where she was happy. The group was committed to God, studied Scripture and focused on discipleship. These were the exact things Gianna needed in her life.
Gianna was especially impressed with Lilly, one of the leaders in the group. Lilly’s commitment to God seemed real. She knew her Bible and was able to quickly quote Scripture on any subject. She talked about her love for God and how it influenced her daily decisions. “This is someone I need to get to know,” thought Gianna.
She had her chance after Bible Study one night. Gianna asked Lilly if they could go out for coffee and talk. Lilly seemed flattered and quickly agreed. “If you want, why don’t we do dinner. I have some grocery shopping to do, too if you want to come along.”
A few hours later Gianna found herself riding along with Lilly as they zipped through traffic. A few times Gianna got nervous as she noticed Lilly driving at far above the speed limit. Another time, Lilly screamed at another driver for cutting her off and laid on her horn. There were a few stop signs Lilly rolled through and Gianna was pretty sure that was a red light they went through before pulling into the grocery store.
They talked as they wandered the aisles. Lilly popped a couple of grapes into her mouth in the produce section. “I think you’re supposed to pay for that,” Gianna nervously laughed. “Oh, it’s just a sample. No big deal,” responded Lilly.
On the way back to the car, Gianna noticed an icon for a game she wanted to play on Lilly’s phone. “How did you get that?” Gianna asked. “It’s not even available in the United States.” “Oh, I have family in London,” Lilly answered. “They let me sign in on their account so I can play it.” Gianna was surprised but she didn’t say anthing.
When they got in the car, Gianna noticed it wasn’t Lilly’s name on her music account. “Who is Chad?” Gianna asked. “He’s one of our ministry leaders. We share my music account to save us some money. You know, us poor students have to find a way.”
Gianna again didn’t say anything but her discomfort was beginning to grow. It didn’t get any better when they started talking about their favorite television shows. Lilly mentioned a particular program and Gianna reacted immediately. “You watch that? Really?” Gianna said, incredulously. “Don’t worry,” Lilly said, missing the point, “it’s on my brother’s video account.”
“No,” said Gianna, “that’s not what I meant. Doesn’t it bother you as a Christian to watch stuff like that? I mean, even my non-Christian friends won’t watch that show.”
“Does it really bother you that I watch it?” Lilly asked. “I’m surprised, I guess,” said Gianna. Lilly was quiet for a moment. “What’s good for me may not be good for you,” said defensively. “I have a great relationship with God and that stuff just never really bothered me. I know what goes too far.”
“It just seems like you’re walking up to the edge,” Gianna said. “To the edge of what, Gianna?” “Sin. Do you really know how it’s affecting you?”
“My life is my proof,” Lilly said. “I’m finally on the ministry leadership team after wanting it for so long. I’ll never understand how they let Kyrsten stay after all the stuff she was into. And now I’m leading up our outreach team and just sitting here with you is proof that my influence is making a difference. Can’t you see that?”
Gianna didn’t know what to say. Lilly finally spoke up sarcastically, “I don’t have religious OCD looking for sin around every corner if that’s what you think.”
Gianna tells you her story and you say...
Discussion: First Take
How would you respond if Gianna told you about Lilly?
This story lists many activities, attitudes and behaviors that might quantify as sin in some people’s lives. Go through the story and see how many you find and answer why they might qualify as sin.
Do you see any of these activities, attitudes and behaviors in your own life? How does it affect you on a daily basis? Or does it not at all?
What do you think Lilly meant by “religious OCD”?
How would you respond if Gianna told you about Lilly?
This story lists many activities, attitudes and behaviors that might quantify as sin in some people’s lives. Go through the story and see how many you find and answer why they might qualify as sin.
Do you see any of these activities, attitudes and behaviors in your own life? How does it affect you on a daily basis? Or does it not at all?
What do you think Lilly meant by “religious OCD”?
The Old Testament World
In the Old Testament, the danger of flirting with sin is very clear. A perfect illustration of this is in the book of Genesis where we find a decision by a man named Lot that would turn out to be the biggest mistake he ever made in his life.
In the Old Testament, the danger of flirting with sin is very clear. A perfect illustration of this is in the book of Genesis where we find a decision by a man named Lot that would turn out to be the biggest mistake he ever made in his life.
What do we know about Sodom?
What might Lot have said about moving his family in the midst of the cities of the valley?
What did Lot eventually lose by choosing to “flirt” with the danger of living in the valley?
What does this tell us about flirting with sin?
The story of Samson and Delilah follows are more traditional definition of flirting. He was literally flirting with Delilah as he flirted with sin. It also seemed that Samson enjoyed the flirtation.
Delilah was trying to discover the source of Samson’s strength. She repeatedly asks him and each time he gives her an answer that turns out not to be true.
What might Lot have said about moving his family in the midst of the cities of the valley?
What did Lot eventually lose by choosing to “flirt” with the danger of living in the valley?
What does this tell us about flirting with sin?
The story of Samson and Delilah follows are more traditional definition of flirting. He was literally flirting with Delilah as he flirted with sin. It also seemed that Samson enjoyed the flirtation.
Delilah was trying to discover the source of Samson’s strength. She repeatedly asks him and each time he gives her an answer that turns out not to be true.
Samson is literally in bed with temptation. What does it tell you about Samson that he doesn’t tell the truth about his strength?
This happens repeatedly and each time Samson tells her a lie. Do you believe Samson was stupid? Why or why not?
How often have you acted like Samson? Can we dabble in sin and get out without any damage? Why do we do this?
What is the danger to Samson at this point?
Samson continues to flirt with temptation and sin. He allows himself to be bound in different ways.
How do you think Samson felt as he did this?
When did Samson finally give in and tell Delilah the truth?
This happens repeatedly and each time Samson tells her a lie. Do you believe Samson was stupid? Why or why not?
How often have you acted like Samson? Can we dabble in sin and get out without any damage? Why do we do this?
What is the danger to Samson at this point?
Samson continues to flirt with temptation and sin. He allows himself to be bound in different ways.
How do you think Samson felt as he did this?
When did Samson finally give in and tell Delilah the truth?
What words finally did him in? Has this happened to you? With the same words?
Where does sin attack us?
Samson told Delilah the truth. And then we read one of the saddest sentences in the Bible:
Where does sin attack us?
Samson told Delilah the truth. And then we read one of the saddest sentences in the Bible:
What happened to Samson after this?
When we flirt with sin, what happens to our relationship with God?
What happens to our own self-confidence? Pride? Ambition?
What is illustrative about what Samson lost in relation to the sin he repeatedly committed?
Is there any hope in this account?
When we flirt with sin, what happens to our relationship with God?
What happens to our own self-confidence? Pride? Ambition?
What is illustrative about what Samson lost in relation to the sin he repeatedly committed?
Is there any hope in this account?
What does this tell us about the hope we have when we have fallen into sin?
The New Testament World
As we look at the New Testament, let’s consider why the Old Testament law exists. How does it influence our lives as Believers?
Is it easy?
As we look at the New Testament, let’s consider why the Old Testament law exists. How does it influence our lives as Believers?
Is it easy?
What do the words of Christ tell us about how easy it is to fall by the wayside?
What does this infer about watching for warning signs in our lives?
Gianna will have to make several decisions moving forward. What would you do if you were in her situation? Would you spend more time with Lilly? Why or why not?
What does this infer about watching for warning signs in our lives?
Gianna will have to make several decisions moving forward. What would you do if you were in her situation? Would you spend more time with Lilly? Why or why not?
Is Lilly really bad company? Or is this Gianna seeing things that would cause her to stumble?
How can a Christian be bad company? Has it happened in your life? How?
How can a Christian be bad company? Has it happened in your life? How?
What is more important... knowing Scripture or living like Jesus? Why?
How does that answer play into the overall title of this study?
What are the dangers for Gianna at this particular point?
We have a habit of choosing a faith that’s big on encouraging one another and focused on God’s forgiveness and grace, but do little when it comes to the dangers of sin. This is despite the words of Jesus over and over...
How does that answer play into the overall title of this study?
What are the dangers for Gianna at this particular point?
We have a habit of choosing a faith that’s big on encouraging one another and focused on God’s forgiveness and grace, but do little when it comes to the dangers of sin. This is despite the words of Jesus over and over...
What does this tell us about sin, its roots and how we should view it in our own lives?
If you saw someone else tip toeing toward sin, would you do anything about it? Why or why not?
What is the advantage of approaching someone when they are flirting with sin?
If you saw someone else tip toeing toward sin, would you do anything about it? Why or why not?
What is the advantage of approaching someone when they are flirting with sin?
How are we hardened by the deceitfulness of sin?
How can we avoid it?
How does pride play a role in this?
How can we avoid it?
How does pride play a role in this?
What does this say about pride?
Based on this, what do you say about the list of “misdeeds” practiced by Lilly?
Additional Questions and Comments
So many think Christian maturity is more about how much you know than what you do.
What do you think about that statement?
Why would you flirt with sin when you can fall in love with God?
How do you feel about that question?
If you are asked, “is this is a sin?” What is implicit in the question?
If your conscience is bothering you about an activity, attitude or behavior in your life, it is better to listen to that nagging voice. You don't want a habit of shutting down that voice that warns you. So even if there is some justifiable reason why you feel you can continue without changing, don't harm your walk with God over something so trivial. Trust that you can feel fulfilled in God and not in flirting with sin.
With this study in mind, how would you respond if you were Gianna?
So many think Christian maturity is more about how much you know than what you do.
What do you think about that statement?
Why would you flirt with sin when you can fall in love with God?
How do you feel about that question?
If you are asked, “is this is a sin?” What is implicit in the question?
If your conscience is bothering you about an activity, attitude or behavior in your life, it is better to listen to that nagging voice. You don't want a habit of shutting down that voice that warns you. So even if there is some justifiable reason why you feel you can continue without changing, don't harm your walk with God over something so trivial. Trust that you can feel fulfilled in God and not in flirting with sin.
With this study in mind, how would you respond if you were Gianna?
Praises & Prayer Requests