CHATROOM DISCUSSION GUIDE — WEEK 3
THE REFLECTION WAR
Romans 5–7 (NLT)
WELCOME & ICEBREAKER
Icebreaker:
“What’s something you believed when you were younger that turned out not to be true?”
(Examples: gum stays in your stomach for 7 years, cracking your knuckles causes arthritis, etc.)
Purpose:
Tonight we’re talking about how wrong beliefs shape wrong living — and how Jesus corrects our misbeliefs through grace.
LEADER SUMMARY (60–90 Seconds)
Tonight’s discussion builds on Sunday’s message, The Reflection War.
We learned that we live between two mirrors:
Adam’s reflection — cracked, condemned, shame-filled
Christ’s reflection — righteous, alive, grace-filled
Sanctification isn’t God teaching us to behave better — it’s Him teaching us to believe better.
Because sin doesn’t start with misbehaving… it starts with misbelieving.
Even when we step away, Jesus still stands in front of our mirror.
He intercedes for us, represents us, and calls us back into alignment.
Sanctification is not working harder — it is realigning faster.
OPENING SCRIPTURE (READ TOGETHER)
Romans 6:11–14 (NLT)
“So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin
and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
Do not let sin control the way you live;
do not give in to sinful desires.
Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin.
Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life.
So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.
Sin is no longer your master,
for you no longer live under the requirements of the law.
Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Which “old reflection” still tries to speak into your life the loudest?
Shame? Condemnation? Fear? Identity?
Paul understood this tension:
Romans 7:15 (NLT)
“I don’t really understand myself,
for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it.
Instead, I do what I hate.”
Prompt:
• Where does Adam’s reflection try to reappear in your week?
• What does it say?
• How do you normally respond?
2. Why is sin more about misbelief than misbehavior?
John 3:30 (NLT)
“He must become greater and greater,
and I must become less and less.”
Prompt:
• What lie tends to sneak in before you act out?
• How have wrong beliefs shaped wrong behaviors for you?
Leader Insight:
This helps the group understand that sanctification happens internally first, not externally.
3. How does the mirror illustration help you understand sanctification?
Jesus stands between us and the mirror — even when we walk away.
Hebrews 7:25 (NLT)
“He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.”
Prompt:
• What part of that picture hits home for you?
• What does it mean to “realign faster”?
4. Who in your life is fighting their own reflection war — and how can you show grace?
We saw this Sunday:
In your mirror, someone else is “others”…
But in their mirror, they are “self” — and you are “others.”
Romans 8:34 (NLT)
“…he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand,
pleading for us.”
Prompt:
• Who is difficult to love right now?
• How can you see them through the reflection of Christ instead of the reflection of Adam?
5. What is one way you can “realign” your reflection this week?
James 1:23–24 (NLT)
“For if you listen to the word and don’t obey,
it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.
You see yourself, walk away,
and forget what you look like.”
Prompt:
• What practical step will help you keep Jesus in front of your mirror?
• Reading Romans 6–8?
• Morning alignment prayer?
• Catching the lie before the behavior?
ADDITIONAL LEADER INSIGHTS (OPTIONAL)
• Keep bringing people back to “misbelief → misbehavior.”
• Avoid letting the group slip into performance talk — keep the focus on belief and identity.
• Remind them: Jesus never steps out of the mirror. We do.
• Reinforce grace for self and grace for others.
PRAYER FOCUS
“Jesus, thank You for standing in front of our mirror.
Help us align our beliefs with Your truth.
Correct our misbeliefs, quiet the lies,
and help us see others the way You see them.
Bring us back quickly when we drift —
and let Your reflection define us this week. Amen.”
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