Prepare for Launch
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Luke 15:17-20; Rom. 6:16-17; 7:19-20
“Which One Wins?”
A grandfather tells his grandson, “Two wolves live inside each of us, one that wants to bless us and one that wants to destroy us. They fight for control of our lives.” “Which one wins?” asks the grandson. “The one you feed.”
It’s like Paul, who said “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Rom. 7:15). He’s still in control, but he’s pulled in so many directions that he ends up doing something he — the self underneath all those voices — doesn’t want to do. Ever feel that way? If so, it’s time to face the facts and tell yourself the truth about your thoughts.
We get to choose which inner voice we obey.
THE BIG IDEA
Though our heads can fill with a cacophony of voices, none of those voices define us. We decide which voice is loudest. The one we feed will win.
We can relate to Jesus’ story of the prodigal son, as the boy sat in a pigsty and pined for better days. Ever feel lost, needing to come home? But Jesus teaches that coming home is a two-step process — before the son “came to his Father” (Luke 15:20) he “came to himself” (Luke 15:17). Why does he need to come to himself? Because, as we sometimes say, “he’s not acting like himself.”
So, he reasons with himself, considering his options (Luke 15:17). A brilliant strategy! Then he tells himself what he needs to do (Luke 15:18-19): swallow his pride, own his failures, and beg for mercy. Most people would rather rationalize than do the hard, right thing. But he got up and went home (Luke 15:20).
He could have told himself he was right or had a pity party — but would that have worked? We can all invent stories about our lives to make us feel better, but maybe we should stop listening to our own stories and start telling ourselves the truth.
What’s the hard, right thing you need to do?
THE BIG QUESTION
Facing Facts
Tell Yourself the Truth
INTRODUCTION
Launch the study with a CONVERSATION STARTER on the Big Idea.
Read or watch “Which One Wins?” (above). What do you take from that Big Idea and Big Question? ICE BREAKER — Get everyone engaged and talking.
What are two truths and a lie about yourself?ACT I
LIKE THE TEACHER — Matthew 13:13-15
What do you see Jesus doing here?Why do you think it’s recorded in the book? What’s the point of the passage?What do these words teach you about facing the truth?What insights and applications do you take from Christ’s words here?
ACT II
SCRIPTURE DU JOUR — “Do Not Be Deceived”
All four passages below contain the warning, “do not be deceived.” Read each passage and think through the prompts.Scripture #1 ‑ 1 Corinthians 15:33-34
In context, what’s the point of this passage?Why do you think Paul starts this instruction with a command to “not be deceived”?Scripture #2 — 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
In context, what’s the point of this passage?Why might someone be deceived about these truths?Scripture #3 ‑ Galatians 6:7-8
In context, what’s the point of this passage?Why do you think Paul starts this instruction with the warning, “do not be deceived”?Scripture #4 — James 1:16-17
In context, what’s the point of this passage?Reading the context beginning in verse 13, why might someone be deceived about what James wants to get across?Thinking About These Scriptures
Why do you think this phrase shows up repeatedly in Scripture? How can we protect ourselves from being deceived by others?How can we protect ourselves from deceiving ourselves? What application do you take away from this collection of passages about being deceived?ACT III
REACH OUT — Connect with each other with this question.
What are your blind spots when talking to yourself?WRAP UP
THE CHALLENGE — Ready to put it into practice?
Acknowledge any falsehood in your heart and ask God to forgive you.REQUEST — Go to God in a closing prayer.
For example: "Father, open my eyes to see" (cf. Matt. 13:15).NEXT SESSION — Finding Hope
Prepare by reading Matt. 14:30-32; Ps. 42-43