What is backsliding?

Intro: Are you one who Likes to Drive very Fast, or very slow? and why?

Study

  1. Jer 2:19, Jer 3:22 Backsliding is the state of falling away from God, of slowly falling more in love with the sinful things of the world, and less in love with Jesus Christ
    1. Rev 2:4 Christians don’t  fall away from God overnight, rather it is usually a slow process that happens over time, one compromise at a time.
      1. Rev 3:16, 1 John 2:15  The bible tells us that we are to be hot or cold in our faith, most backsliders try to live a lukewarm Christian life, and this wont work.
      2. Mt 6:24 Many people who backslide have some reason that they feel justifies their  actions, they ignore their convictions, and try to serve both the world, and God
    2. Prov 26:11, Num 11:4-6 Many who backslide forget how miserable they were before Christ, and actually miss the way things were before they were saved
  2. James 1:5, Ps 119:105 We as Christians, and as leaders must use wisdom, following Gods word so that we will not backslide, and slowly turn away from God.
    1. Hosea 4:6 Many times Christians lack wisdom, and put themselves into compromising situations over and over, then wonder how they fell away from God.
      1. Hebrews 10:25 We must remain active, and committed to the ministry, many people backslide simply because they neglect meeting with other Christians.
      2. Mt 4:4, 1 Thess 5:17 We must also pray, and read the word of God daily, this requires discipline, because undisciplined people will backslide.
    2. Eph 4:2, 1 Pet 5:5-6 We must remain humble, and teachable, the greatest and quickest way to backslide is to think you know it all, and not listen to spiritual authority.

Discussion

  1. What are some of the excuses, or reasons that you have heard people give to try to justify their backsliding?
  2. What are some things that we can do to help keep ourselves from backsliding? What are some things we can do to help keep others around us from backsliding?
  3. What are some of the things that try to distract you from your commitment to God, and your faithfulness to the ministry?
  4. Have you ever personally backslidden and slowly turned away from God? How did you feel in that state?

End: Pray for any who would admit that they have backslidden, offer to pray the sinners prayer with them, then take requests