Leaders, remind your group we're in a series on Bridges.  Just as an icebreaker, ask your group:

• What literal bridges are around you that you must cross on a regular basis?
• Are there any you avoid? If so, why?

Open in prayer, reminding the group we'll be looking at not literal bridges or gaps, but the gap between us and God.

Have someone read aloud Phil 3:13-14-- 

• Focusing on the word "forgetting," what do you think Paul is seeking to forget?  (refer to 1 Tim. 1:15-16)
  • From what you know of Paul's history, what do you think he would like to forget or move past?
• Don't necessarily make this a group exercise, but take a moment to think about any pain, shame, or failure you struggle to forget. Is there anything that bogs you down?

These are the things that can create a gap between us and God.  Read the Colossians 2 verse, what does Paul tell us about our sins? In your group, choose 2 or more verses from the list below to read and discuss. What do you learn from these verses?

• 1 John 1:9
• Ps. 103:12
• Micah 7:19
• Isaiah 43:25

Pastor Greg uses the illustration of the glass (half-empty/full) to have us ponder, which way we trend. Where do you find yourself focusing?

• Shame
• Regrets
• Failures

• Grace
• Forgiveness
• Healing

Spend a few moments as a group processing the necessity to see these two perspectives in balance. Why is that important? What should we remember and what do we need to move past from? (Psalm 77:11)

Sometimes, no matter what we read, some of us struggle to believe these words really do apply to us- to our sin, to our failures.  As you end the group- ask if anyone struggles to "forget what is behind." Gather around and pray for each person- that they could fully embrace Paul's words of "forgetting what is behind and pressing on..."

Read

Reflect

Do