Parent : Student Discussion

The discussion is set up to help parents and students to talk about what was talked about in rpm. I believe this could provide for some great discussion. If you decide to use it, let me know what you think. This is just another resource to help you connect as a family. Enjoy!

Real Talk

This week’s study deals with preventing spiritual collapse. All of us probably know someone who once seemed to be spiritually strong, but now is far from the Lord and in a mess. During rpm we talked about several steps that led to Peter’s failure. We will take some time to talk about how to keep it from happening to us. An important concept needs to guide our thinking, It is this: For a Christian, spiritual collapse is never a blow-out, it’s always a slow leak, Even if it appears that someone just suddenly messes up by having an affair or committing a crime, there are always steps leading up to it.

Set the stage, then read Mark 14:27-51, 66-72.

1. Have you ever made a major mistake and then wondered how you could have been so stupid? (Think about a personal story to tell, then let your student share some of their stories. It might be a blown play, a “dumb” relationship, a forgotten assignment, or whatever.)
2. Why are we often blind to our faults or mistakes until it’s too late? How is it that we don’t prevent more mistakes than we do?
3. Spiritually, what sins do people often commit without seeing their mistakes –or the consequences—until it’s too late?
4. Why do you think Peter so grossly overestimated his spiritual strength? One minute he was ready to die for Jesus, the next he was denying him. Why?
5. What similar tests come our way that expose whether or not we’re as strong spiritually as we may claim?
6. What tips could you have given Peter for maintaining his spiritual strength?
7. If a person has already had a major spiritual collapse, how can they recover? How did Peter come back?
8. How does accountability fit into a plan for preventing spiritual collapse?
9. How can we work together to keep ourselves growing and spiritually fit?