Part 3 - Test Yourself
Leader Guide
There are so many issues that keep us from accomplishing our goals and realizing our dreams. But what about the dangers of reaching them and gaining a measure of success? Let’s spend some time considering our attitudes, testing ourselves and our hearts.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. Would you say you have lots of relationships, from “deep” friendships to routine interactions with the barista? Or would you describe yourself as isolated? Would you say you are “happy”?
2. Test yourself. Read Psalm 139:23-24. Have you ever tested yourself and reviewed your own actions, maybe a personal debrief after an event? Even further, the Bible tells us to invite God into our introspection, asking Him to reveal anything that is evil or offensive. Have you ever asked God’s opinion of your actions or thoughts or sensed direct actions He wanted you to take to change your attitudes, thoughts, or direction?
Leader Note: The Bible says, “Every person’s way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord examines the hearts” (Proverbs 21:2, NASB). We cannot help justifying our own thoughts and actions. We should test ourselves, but we must also invite God into that process to get an accurate perspective of sin, righteousness, and what God desires for us.
3. Give God the credit. Read Genesis 40:8, 41:16, 39:3, and 23. What had Joseph consistently done throughout his life? In what ways does that remind you of Jesus? How do you do this in your own life? Or where do you see this in others and how does it have an impact on you?
Leader Note: There is a difference between a finger pointing in the air after a touch down goal and really talking about God and giving Him the glory for your life and successes in a full interview. It’s the same in the office: are you using God to shrug off a compliment with false humility? Or are you truly giving all credit to Him and using your success as a platform for sharing about Jesus. There is a huge difference!
4. Read Deuteronomy 8:11-18. What things easily translate over to today’s culture? What things are different...and what could they mean to us today (try the first part of verse 13). Where in this passage are you convicted?
Leader Note: After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, the children of Israel are about to cross over into the Promised Land. In the book of the “second law,” Moses refreshes their memory of the commandments, gives final comments, warnings, as he prepares to die. At one point, he outlines the blessings and curses for following God vs. following other gods and idols. But in this passage, Moses clearly outlines the dangers of success.
Are you lax on God’s commandments (like, do you covet, steal from the IRS, or forget the Sabbath)? Do we focus on big houses, accumulating stuff, loving money, becoming proud and “satisfied”?
I think of verse 13 as having employees on my staff, under my supervision and authority.
Do we forget how God has delivered us in the past: from bankruptcy, hunger, disease?
Do you consider yourself a self-made man/woman? Do you return the tithe to the Lord in acknowledgement that all we have is because of Him?
5. Read Philippians 2:3-5. What is the antidote to “selfish ambition”? Is all ambition evil? How do you display humility to others from this passage?
Leader Note: Humility is the opposite and antidote to overwhelming ambition. Ambition to be successful and pursue your dream, if you are also able to focus on others, consider their interests, and love them as Jesus loves them. In other words, if you are balanced: excellence and success with serving and humility.
6. Action Steps:
a. Listen more than you talk: Really listen, not listening just to see how you can insert your story into the next pause. Focus on them, not yourself.
b. Spend time in relationships: Take the time to connect with others, doing what they are interested in doing, not just your hobbies and plans. (It's never too late to start!)
c. Put down your stuff: People are more important than things, so make an effort to stop what you're doing and greet and interact with people.
d. Test yourself: Am I humble and grateful?
e. Ask yourself: Am I willing to pause my dream for people when God tells me to?
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
7. Read Philippians 2:5-8. What attitude did Jesus have and how are we supposed to have the same mindset as He did? Use specific examples from the text and relate them to choices you must make.
Leader’s Note: Some things your group should notice--
Vs 6 - He had the RIGHT to be equal with God, but did not cling, hold on, demand it.
Vs 7 - He “emptied himself” (see also 2 Corinthians 8:9, 2 Corinthians 13:4, Mark 9:12). He became poor so we could be rich, weak so we could have the power of God, suffered so we could be exalted; He became a servant to lead us; became a man to fully identify and empathize with us.
Vs 8 - He humbled Himself, not only to God’s plan, but to the punishment and abuse; He was obedient, though He had the power and free will to refuse; He finally and willingly sacrificed for us all.
8. Contrast the character qualities of selfishness and humility. When have you been selfish? When have you shown humility? Which version of yourself would you like to be around and why?
9. Read Isaiah 53. Consider the way Isaiah describes the Savior of the world. Jot down some adjectives or phrases. One of Jesus’ most prominent characteristics was His humility. In fact, humility is the only character trait that Jesus uses to describe Himself (see Matthew 11:29). List some ways you see humility lived out in His life.
Leader’s Note: When Jesus willingly became a man, He did not even request human beauty or attractiveness, but was apparently average in looks. Yet He drew multitudes through His teaching and His ministry to others. He embraced a life where He was regularly the outcast, where He put Himself in the service of others, and where He had neither a home nor possessions. Despised, rejected, oppressed are difficult words to hear, but perfectly describe the life He knowingly entered. Jesus gave up His right to be glorified as God here on earth and “humbled himself…to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). He displayed servant leadership by washing the filthy feet of His disciples (John 13:1-17), even washing those of His betrayer, Judas Iscariot. If Jesus could humbly wash the feet of not only His friends, but also of His enemy, think about the opportunities you might have to demonstrate this kind of humility.