SERIES TITLE
What’s On Your Mind?
series overview
So, what’s on your mind these days? Really. We can paint on a smile and play the image management games, but inside we all struggle with our thoughts, our stress, our confusion, our fears. Let’s face it…life is hard. Jesus told us it would be. And the past couple of years have a lot of us mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually at a breaking point. So maybe it would do us all some good to honestly talk about it. To remove any stigma, any embarrassment, any “faking fine,” and as a family open up some life-giving dialogue and invite God to meet us there.
sermon TITLE
I’m Fine
weekend in review
This week we discuss pretending things are “fine” when they are not and why we do it. We look at how honest examination of what is going on within us and in all God has offered us in Christ will bring us real confidence, joy, and peace within.
WARM UP
Begin with some conversation, checking in on how people are doing. You can talk about whatever you’d like, but here are a few potential questions to get the conversation going.
- What did you like to pretend or find it necessary to pretend when you were a child? How did you feel when you did that?
DISCUSSion
- Read all of Psalm 32. In verse 7 it says, “You are my hiding place.” David was a strong warrior who understood that struggling in silence, denying reality, would be wrong. Is God your hiding place? How so?
- Do you tend to suffer in silence? How can you break free from the tyranny of “fine”?
- Read Psalm 36:5, 7. Jake asked, “what if told you that the thing you’re trying to earn, you’re trying to show, is already available to you in Jesus?”
- Read Ephesians 2:4-5. Share a way you have experienced God’s love and grace before you had your act together.
- Read 1 John 3:1. What qualities does this verse show us about God?
- Read James 5:13-16. Social distancing has turned into relational isolation. The best remedy for grief or isolation is being authentic, even vulnerable with others. What step could you take to be more vulnerable with someone you trust?
- Do you have people in which you can share all your life with? Who do you celebrate with?
- James tells us that confession leads to healing. Have you ever experienced the freedom of sharing something you had held in silence for a long time? What did it feel like?
- How would you encourage someone holding onto the shame of their past?
application
- As a group, talk about ways you can support each other. Your group might enjoy playing a game called Peak and Pits. Each person shares a hardship or challenge they are facing as well as something they can celebrate.
- Is there someone in your life that needs to be encouraged to find freedom? Pray for them and reach out to them this week with encouragement.
WRAP UP & PRAYER
Share prayer requests and spend time praying for each other.