Do Over

Background Information
We’ve all had times in our lives when we have wished we could have a “do over.” You know those times when you wished you didn’t start that relationship with that boy/girl, get in the car with those friends, those words didn’t come out of your mouth, etc. We know in life there isn’t a rewind button, but God does give us a chance for a new life free from guilt and sin.

The Pharisees, the Jewish leaders who prided themselves in following all the laws of the Torah and practicing religion in public, often tried to bait Jesus, so they could destroy him. The scripture above is one such incident. They bring a woman who is caught in adultery to Jesus. They ask Jesus what they should do with the woman.

If Jesus said to stone her as the Jewish law commanded, it would break the Roman law. They think they have Jesus caught where he can’t win. He either is going to have to go against God and the Torah or go against the Roman government. Either way, Jesus is going to be in trouble with someone.

Jesus isn’t thrown off by the men. Jesus challenges the natural order of tradition. There was a certain rank that took place during a stoning. The eldest was to begin by throwing the first stone. Instead, he tells the men that the man without sin should be the first to throw a stone at her, and then he bends down and begins drawing in the sand. We don’t know what he drew. Maybe he listed the names of the sins of the men. Maybe he listed the names of the men’s mistresses. All we know is when he looked up a few minutes later, all the Pharisees were gone. Jesus forgives the woman and tells her not to sin again.

Jesus is the Lord of second chances.

Instructions

1. Navigate to the Discussion using the link below. For your initial post, which is due on day five, discuss the following:

2. Read John 7: 53-8:11, Matthew 18: 21-22, Luke 17:3-5 and background information above
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+7%3a+53-8%3a11&version=NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+18%3a+21-22&version=NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+17%3a3-5&version=NIV

3.Watch Video: “Start Over” by Flame

4. Watch Video: “God Loves Do Overs” by Dr. Dan Erickson

5.Discuss a time in your life when you wanted a “do over.” When did you realize that you had made a mistake and wished you could change the course of your actions?
(That would be when I quit going to school and then I felt that I wanted a “do over.” I realized that I made a mistake when I saw my friends almost graduating and I was only working the regular 9 to 5 jobs.)

6. back to Matthew 18: 21-22, Luke 17:3-5. Do people have to ask for forgiveness for us to give them a “do over?” How often should we forgive people?

7. How do these scriptures give us hope in our lives?