Stress Fractures Week 2: Why Can’t You Be Normal

SERIES TITLE

Stress Fractures

series overview

This week Gene teaches about understanding and appreciating our God-given differences while allowing God to transform us into the best versions of ourselves. He gives practical wisdom on how to deal with conflict God’s way and encourages us to investigate opportunities where God might be calling us to use our unique gifts and wiring.

sermon TITLE

Why Can’t You Be Normal Like Me?

weekend in review

An athlete can always tell if something is not quite right inside. There is no glaring injury, but they can still feel the hidden pain. If left unattended, this tiny problem will eventually break. The same thing is true in relationships. On the surface, things look fine, but underneath, we know something is off. The past year has created a lot of stress fractures in marriages, families, friendships, even churches. Join us for a relational MRI, and we’ll examine the little things that can help heal the relationships most important to us.

WARM UP

Begin with some conversation, checking in on how people are doing. You can talk about whatever you’d like, but is a potential question to get the conversation going.

  • Have you ever taken a personality test like Meyers-Briggs, the Enneagram, or StrengthsFinder? How did the results make you feel?
    DISCUSSion
    Select 5-6 questions from the list below to guide your discussion time.

      • Read Genesis 1:27 and Proverbs 22:6. How does it make you feel knowing we are made in God’s image? How does it affect your relationship with God and with other people? Your children?

      • How can examining ourselves by asking the following four questions help you navigate relationships both at home and work?
        • Am I an initiator or responder?
        • Am I an extrovert or an introvert?
        • Am I a thinker or a feeler?
        • Am I structured or unstructured?
      • Gene explained, “You can’t change another person. You can only change yourself,” adding that discovering this will set you free. When did you discover this? How did it change things in your life?
      • Read Galatians 6:4-5. Sometimes we are our own personal bully, beating ourselves up by comparing ourselves negatively with others. What helps you to feel confident in the unique gifts God has given you?
      • Is there someone in your life who encourages you in how God has wired you? How can you encourage others to be the best version of who God created them to be?
      • Read Psalm 141:3. The first practical-wisdom statement Gene gave to deal with conflict is “I will act, not react.” What healthy practices did Gene mention that can help you when conflict is brewing in your life?
      • Read Philippians 4:8. Gene’s second statement to employ in dealing with conflict is “I will focus on the good things in you.” How does this change the game in addressing our conflicts?
      • Read Philippians 2:4. Gene’s third conflict-resolving statement gives us strength: “I will remember God’s grace to me and apply it to you.” How can focusing on the forgiveness and grace God has given you transform your relationships with others?
      • The Bible tells us, don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. How does knowing this affect your will to apply grace, forgiveness, and kindness in your relationships?
    application
      • Share one takeaway from this week’s message and how the group can pray for you this week.
      • If you serve as a Change Maker, share what role you serve in. If you don’t yet, would you consider serving? What role fits with your giftings?
    WRAP UP & PRAYER

    Share prayer requests and spend time praying the My Relationship Rehab Prayer. Pray for each other as you move toward healing in fractured relationships.

    “So, God, we come to you asking you to do a work in each of us. It’s not them, but it’s me God, standing in the need of prayer. God, I ask you to transform me. I pray that I would every day die to self, and that I would be crucified with Christ so that I no longer live, but Jesus would live in every corner of my heart and soul.”

    We want to help you heal the relational stress fractures in your life. Please click on the button below to check out these helpful resources: