God heals us when we repent of our sin.

SCRIPTURE | Numbers 21:1-9

CENTRAL TRUTH

We choose sin, even though we know it’s harmful, and inevitably face some type of consequence. But this cycle is broken when we repent of our sin and turn toward God.

Key question

The Israelites’ wandering in the wilderness was marked by a cycle of sin and repentance. How do we follow this pattern today?

Keep in Mind

Some students may struggle with understanding the difference between feeling guilt and true repentance. It’s more than just feeling guilty or being upset for getting caught; it’s an action. It involves confessing our sin to God—and quite possibly to others who are affected—and asking for forgiveness. It also involves us actively walking away from the sin itself. Repentance is movement toward God and away from sin. Consider offering this example: If you’ve struggled with the sin of pornography, repentance may look like confessing it to God; confessing it to a trusted person for accountability; and putting boundaries in place, like parental controls and placing your phone in your parents’ bedroom at night. When we sin, the Holy Spirit will convict us of our sin and draw us to repentance.

APPLICATION

Should our circumstances change how we view God? Why or why not?

THE WIN

FOR THE STUDENT: While God never changes, our circumstances do. But God isn’t defined by our students’ life circumstances. And praise Him for that! He is good even when life isn’t.

FOR THE LEADER: Many of us have experienced the highs and lows that life brings. But we can look back and see that God was constant—steady. When we share about God’s consistency in our own lives, we can be a source of encouragement to our students when they walk through difficult seasons.