Here's How (Part 3): Here's How To Be Genuine

TO START

This week, Zane invited us into the third part of a series called Here’s How, a series that invites us to live out our mission to Live Love together through our 7 core behaviors. This week, we leaned into one of the seven ways we practice living love: being genuine

  • How have you seen the practice of being genuine in action in your life? What did it look like? How did it make you feel? (Encourage your group to share how they’ve seen it in this group if they have an example) . 

TO DISCUSS

At the beginning of Zane’s message, he invited us to consider the story of the people that the Bible begins with… two naked people before God with nothing to hide before God or one another. And yet this posture of vulnerability and openness that God had in mind for us has been marred.  

  • What is hard about the commitment to be genuine and vulnerable with God? What is hard about that commitment to be genuine with those around you? Do you often choose to hide something rather than to reveal it?

In order to get to the heart of the posture of vulnerability and genuineness that God desires for God’s people… Read about Paul’s vision in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 together.

In Paul’s day, people would determine another’s spiritual pedigree by the depth and breadth of another’s spiritual experience, but Paul argues that this is a misconception. A meaningful relationship with Jesus is not bolstered solely by miraculous spiritual encounters. Rather, Paul boasts in his meaningful relationship  with God found in his weakness and in his suffering. This tells the true story. 

  • Who do you tend to compare your strengths, gifts or experiences with? Why might you tend to measure your relationship against another's based on the abundance of or lack of powerful spiritual moments you’ve had with God?

Zane points us to the reality that so often we think God is only focused and delighted in our strengths and that he’s burdened by our weaknesses or our shortcomings. Yet it is in our weakness where God is closest. God draws near to us when we are vulnerable with God.  We draw near to God in genuine ways. 

  • What are some examples of weaknesses or instances where you’ve felt powerless? Where has Jesus met you in that powerlessness? Even more, do you often find yourself looking for God to work in your powerlessness? 

Even more in our culture, we hear that reaching independence is the bee's knees. It’s the American dream. When in fact spiritual maturity is the opposite. It’s a call to be utterly dependent on God. 

  • How well do you depend on God? Do you recognize your utter dependence on God? Or are you still grasping at control of your life, your direction, your bank account, etc.?

Near the close of Zane’s sermon, he argues that when we share our weaknesses with God and with others, we share the moments where God’s power is at work. And this genuineness is a necessity for us… 

  • How often do you have a posture where other people in your life feel like they can share their joys and their struggles with you? If not, what would it look like to have a changed posture?

  • Do you go there with people? Do people know when you’re facing your weaknesses? Are there people who see your habits or who know the rough edges of your heart? 

Think about who you need to share with this week. 

TO CLOSE

As a group, pray for the Holy Spirit to enliven them to how God is calling them to be genuine. Invite your group to share a weakness or insecurity in their life with the group. And then close with and adaptation of The Other Serenity Prayer together:

God, grant each of us the serenity to stop beating ourselves up for not doing things perfectly, 

Give us courage to forgive ourselves because we are here and working to do better 

And the wisdom to know that You, God already love us just the way we are. 

God, help us to go there with others and with You. 

Help us to be vulnerable and genuine even when it’s hard. 

Amen. 

Matt DeLano