Session 3: Insufficient
Suggested Week of Use: March 15, 2020
Core Passage: Romans 2:17-29
News Story Summary
Officer Tom Warwick of the Grand Rapids, Michigan, police department was temporarily suspended and demoted for his participation in covering up the drunk driving of a Kent County prosecutor in 2016.
Realizing he had let people down, Warwick took responsibility for his actions and has worked tirelessly to move forward. For example, a family lost all their Christmas gifts in a house fire. Warwick helped replaced the gifts. Warwick wants to be remembered for those moments rather than his worst mistake. Because of his work since his reinstatement, Warwick was recently named the 2019 Patrol Officer of the Year.
(For more on this story, search the Internet using the term “Tom Warwick GRPD officer of the year”)
Focus Attention
To begin the session, ask the first three questions suggested in the Invite idea under Focus Attention. Then, tell the story of Officer Warwick and how he has sought to redeem himself. Ask: What are some ways we try to address our past missteps? How might our past motivate us for action in the present? Complete the step as written.
Summarize and Challenge
To supplement the Review idea under Summarize and Challenge, review the story of Officer Warwick. Ask: What would you say to Officer Warwick about his attempts to redeem himself? Encourage the group to think about ways we try to redeem ourselves. Say: We can never completely wash away our sins, but by accepting God’s grace, we know that we have been redeemed. Complete the step as written, reviewing the summary statements.