The Creek Church

Group Questions

Scorekeeper God - February 19

Overview:

It starts early in life and often sticks with us for the rest of our life. It is a belief in a version of God that sees him as the cosmic accountant, always keeping track of how we are doing—how much we are doing wrong, how much we are getting right. Somewhere along the way, people began to think that what we do is more important to God than who we are. Scorekeeper God frustrates and fatigues. It leaves us believing we may not be cut out for faith. However, Jesus introduced us to a God who doesn't keep score, a God of unconditional love and grace.

Discussion:

1. Do you identify with the Scorekeeper God? Where does that idea of God comes from?

2. How does Scorekeeper God make it easy to walk away from faith or make it difficult to come to faith?

3. Why do you think it's so easy to teach children a Scorekeeper version of God? How can we be intentional about teaching them about more than just the Scorekeeper God?

4.  In practical terms, how can we live with the assurance that God has forgiven us and is not keeping score?  

5. From the beginning, God introduced Himself as a God who chases after a rebel people. He declared Himself to be compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Why does this version of God often get overlooked in the Old Testament?

6. What elements of the story of Jesus can dispel the fallacy of the "Scorekeeper God?"

7.  Do you struggle with keeping scores concerning yourself and others? How does it help you with this when you understand God better?

8. The cross reminds us that God came after us, and that he loved us even when we rebelled and resisted Him. What does the cross remind us about loving other people?

Application:

Stop reminding yourself of past failures. Remind yourself of God's grace.

Memorization:

1 John 3:16 (NIV) This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.