Second Chances

From First to Third
Written By Patrick Burch

OPENING THOUGHT

Stefan Thomas is a German-born programmer living in the U.S. who acquired 7,002 Bitcoins in 2011 and stored them in an encrypted digital wallet. Unfortunately, he wrote down the password on a piece of paper—one that he later lost. Now he can’t for the life of him remember it.

The kicker? The wallet only allows ten attempts before permanently locking itself. After eight failed attempts, Thomas now has just two chances left to guess the right password before the Bitcoin is lost forever.

Today, 7,002 in Bitcoin is worth over $780 million! Thomas agonizes over knowing he has only two chances left and then all hope is lost.

What if there were no second chances? What if God demanded that we live perfect lives, and if we sinned there was no more hope? We’d all be lost!

Thankfully, God is merciful. He gives us second chances. 

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD

Micah 7:18-20

  • What qualities does Micah see in our unparalleled God?

  • What are some of the images the prophet uses to describe God’s forgiveness?

  • Did Micah believe in second chances? How do his words challenge the way we sometimes talk about God?

Luke 22:31-34

  • What did Jesus mean when he said Satan wanted to “sift” Peter like wheat?

  • Why do you think Jesus prayed specifically for Peter’s faith, rather than for him to avoid failure altogether?

  • What is Peter’s state of mind? How does pride cause us to make big mistakes?

  • What would be Peter’s big mistake?

  • What was Jesus’ prayer for Peter?

  • What was the Lord’s expectation for Peter following his failure? Why should his reassurances encourage us?

2 Corinthians 7:9-12

  • What should we do with second chances?

  • The Greek word for “repentance” is metanoia, which can mean “second mind.” How does this help us understand the meaning of repentance?

  • Paul says something has to precede repentance. What is it and why is it necessary?

Acts 15:36-41

  • Why do you think Mark withdrew from Paul and Barnabas?

  • Paul and Barnabas fell into a sharp disagreement over whether Mark should be allowed to accompany them on their second missionary journey. Who do you think had the strongest case?

  • Was God able to use this disagreement? What was the result?

  • At the end of his life, Paul tells Timothy to “get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). What would have become of Mark if Barnabas had not given him a second chance?

  • Does the God of second chances expect us to give others a second chance? (see Matt. 6:14-15; 18:21-35; James 2:13).

Patrick Burch
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