Points to Ponder

These questions are intended as a study aid, to spur further thought on the concepts discussed in this lesson and to help you apply them on a personal level.

These questions are intended as a study aid, to spur further thought on the concepts discussed in this lesson and to help you apply them on a personal level. We suggest you take the time to write out your answers to these questions and compare them to the scriptures given. Please feel free to write us with any comments or suggestions, including questions about the course or this lesson.

• How does the Bible define sin, and how widespread is it? (1 John 3:4; Deuteronomy 10:4; Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 3:10-12, 20, 23).
• Are some sins obvious while others are hidden within us? (Galatians 5:19-21; Mark 7:20-23; 1 Timothy 5:24).
• What within us leads us to sin? What must we do to deal with and to overcome self-deception? (Romans 8:6-8; Jeremiah 17:9; Proverbs 14:12; 1 John 1:8-10).
• What influences outside ourselves can tempt us to sin? (Acts 5:3; Mark 4:15, 18-19; Matthew 13:20-21; Ephesians 2:1-3).
• Is God's help necessary to even start to repent of sin and turn to God? (John 6:44; Hebrews 4:15-16; Romans 2:4).
• Must everyone repent? (2 Peter 3:9; Acts 17:30; Luke 13:1-3).
• What is repentance, and what are some of its fruits? (Psalm 51:1-3, 6-10; Luke 18:13; 3:7-9; James 1:23-25).
• Why is baptism important? What does it represent, and what responsibility comes with it? (Mark 16:16; Romans 6:4, 11-13, 17-18).
• Without God's great mercy and grace, is there any way to be made right with Him? (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 5:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-10).
• Does God's Spirit make it possible for us to carry out our commitment to God? (Matthew 19:25-26; Acts 1:8; 2:38; Philippians 2:13).