Six-Week Program
Week 2 Group Meeting: Recognize and Acknowledge Your Sin.
Leader Guide
Meeting notes & overview
This meeting invites participants to share their experience of Step 2 of the BNL process in a reflective, open, honest way. The goal is not perfection, but awareness—becoming more attentive to what has been happening in both their outward and inward lives.
As people share, some may speak easily, while others may be more reserved. Everyone is welcome. Creating a space of attentiveness, respect, and openness to all is central to this gathering.
Your role in this meeting is not to guide people to conclusions, but to help create a space where honest sharing can happen.
A calm, attentive presence—along with simple encouragement—is often more powerful than many words.
Time allotments are based on a one-hour meeting and can be adjusted as needed.
Opening activities (approx. 15 minutes)
Opening prayer
Open with a brief prayer, or invite someone else to offer one.
Readings
Read the following aloud, or invite one or more attendees to do so.
But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things in the city of Jericho, for Achan took of the accursed things….
Now Joshua said to Achan, “My son, I beg you, give glory to the Lord, and make confession to Him, and tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.” And Achan answered Joshua and said, “Indeed I have sinned against the Lord, and this is what I have done: When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. And there they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, with the silver under it.” So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver under it. And they took them from the midst of the tent, brought them to Joshua and to all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the Lord. (Joshua 7:1, 19-23)Then the prodigal son arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” And they began to be merry. (Luke 15:20-24)
Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner.” I tell you, this man went down to his house justified more than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18:10-14)
Check-in
Invite each person to share a highlight of their day or week, or an opening comment.
To keep the process moving, each person should share only a sentence or two.
During this time, the group simply listens without comment or discussion, though as the leader, you may allow some flexibility.
After each person shares, respond with “Thank you” before moving on.
If the group has more than eight participants, consider breaking into smaller groups of four to eight.
Group business
Share any announcements or decisions that need attention.
If there is nothing to address, skip this portion. Like Check-in, it should move quickly.
Task for this meeting
Read the following aloud:
This past week, your task was Step 2 of the BNL process.
You were to do one of the following:
Review your Step 1 and “Prayer from the Heart” worksheets from last week, and then complete Step 2.
Use a new set of worksheets and go through Step 1, “A Prayer from the Heart,” and Step 2.
You were also to read Section E of the BNL Sourcebook: When You’re at Fault for a Wrongdoing…and When You’re Not.
Pause here and invite any questions before moving into group sharing.
Group sharing (approx. 30 minutes)
Transition by saying something like:
“Let’s take some time to share about your experience of Step 2.”Begin the sharing by asking:
“What was your experience of Step 2.1?”—
“Recognize and Acknowledge Your Sin”As the sharing unfolds, invite reflection on the next part by asking:
“What was your experience of Step 2.2?”—
“Accept Responsibility”Later, continue by asking:
“What was your experience of Step 2.3?”—
“Confess Your Sin Before the Lord”Allow sharing to unfold naturally, giving space for each person to respond as they feel led. If needed, use any of the following questions to encourage further reflection and sharing.
Step 2.1 invites you to reflect on two biblical terms—evil and sin. What is your personal response to one or both of these words? Step 2.1 invites you to reflect on two biblical terms—evil and sin. What is your personal response to one or both of these words? What has shaped that response for you?
In the BNL process, evil refers to anything that goes against God’s purpose, plan, or design in creation—anything genuinely harmful or destructive. It includes anything that opposes God or harms your neighbor, as reflected in the Ten Commandments and the broader Word of God. Sin is understood as evil made personal—taking shape in your actions, words, intentions, and even in the thoughts you dwell on or nurture. It includes anything you do, say, carry within, or intend that goes against these commandments. As you sit with these definitions, what value—or potential value—do you see in using these terms? What role might they play in helping you engage this process more fully?
Step 2.1 asks whether what you uncovered in self-examination might be harmful or destructive—that is, “evil.” What was it like for you to consider that question? What, if anything, became clearer?
You were also asked whether what you uncovered in self-examination might go against any of the Ten Commandments—and if so, which one do they seem to go against the most, and in what way. How was it for you to reflect on that? Did you use one of the Quick References from Section D of the Sourcebook? If so, what was that experience like?
Finally, Step 2.1 asks you to describe, as simply and clearly as you can, the true nature or quality of what you uncovered—perhaps even giving it a short title. What was it like for you to name or summarize it in that way?
Closure (approx. 15 minutes)
Task for the next meeting
Read the following aloud:
Your task for the coming week is Step 3 of the BNL process: Pray to the Lord; Beg for His Help and Power in Resisting Your Sin.
Do one of the following:
Review your worksheets through Step 2, then complete Step 3.
Using a new set of worksheets, go through Steps 1-3.
Come to the next meeting ready to share your experience of Step 3.
Leader for the next meeting
If your group shares leadership, take a moment to decide who will lead the next meeting.
Closing comments
Invite each person to share a brief closing comment.
This is not a time for further sharing—just a simple word or brief reflection.
It’s a time to listen, without comment or discussion.
After each person shares, respond, “Thank you,” before moving on.
If the group is larger than eight, consider breaking into smaller groups of four to eight.
Closing prayer
Invite the group to say the Lord’s Prayer together.