Any time there is brokenness or hurt in life, the question arises: Is it worth it? The more you love someone, the more you are willing to pay whatever it costs to restore, heal, and fix what is broken. There is a term that is used to describe this concept, and is what we are going to talk about this week; it’s the concept of Redemption.
How did you do with last week’s memory verse? Who in your group can recite it?
This week’s memory verse is 1 Peter 1:18-19. “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ.”
1. The definition of redemption is to cover the cost of repairing what is broken, to buy back what has been lost. What thoughts come to your mind as you think about this term?
2. Read Hosea 1:2. From what you know about the story, how were the Israelites acting towards God at the time? If this is a story of redemption, what were they enslaved to?
3. What parallel can you see between the Israelites of that day and our society?
4. Read Hosea 3:1. How do you think Gomer felt when Hosea found her chained and up for auction?
5. We were created to be loved by God and to love God. However, humans chose to sin, and in our rebellion, we brought upon ourselves horrific consequences. Our sin has broken and enslaved us. In what ways do we find ourselves acting like Gomer? Can you share a specific time when you felt like Gomer?
6. How would you expect Gomer to feel after Hosea redeemed her (bought her back out of slavery)?
7. What do you suppose was going on in Hosea’s mind as he gave everything he had to buy Gomer back? What do you think God felt when Jesus gave everything to redeem you? Do you feel like you were worth it?
8. Read 1 Peter 1:18–19. When Christ redeems us, He completely pays for everything for us to be restored, healed, and set free. No matter how far you’ve strayed, he will take the initiative to find you, and pay whatever it takes to redeem you, so that you no longer have to live enslaved and broken. What is left for you to do to be redeemed? What would be an appropriate response for all that has been done for us?
9. Read Hosea 3:3. Notice that Hosea doesn’t buy her to use her. He buys her to restore her. He did not come to take something, but to restore what was lost. How does this verse reflect God’s heart towards you?
10. Read Hosea 3:5. Who is David’s descendant that is spoken about in this verse? How has God demonstrated His goodness towards you?
11. Read Deuteronomy 30:3 (The Message) "GOD, your God, will restore everything you lost; he’ll have compassion on you; he’ll come back and pick up the pieces from all the places where you were scattered." God knows everything you lost, everything that was broken in your life. He has not forgotten you. God will restore everything you lost at the appointed time. Whatever life has taken from you, God can restore. He may not give you exactly what you think you want, but He will give you what is best. Even when you fall under His corrective hand through disobedience, He will reinstate you to a place of blessing if you repent. Why does repentance have to come before restoration? Is there an area of your life that God is trying to guide you away from so that He can redeem you and guide you toward His goodness?