I'm Not OK

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This weekend, we tackled another honest slogan: “I’m Not OK.” It’s okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay not to know it. All of us have issues. The problem is that we think we know what all of our issues are, but that’s not really true. We know some of them but not all or even most of them. Often, we are the last person to know the biggest flaws or problem areas in our lives.

• Jeff shared how research shows most Americans rate their abilities higher than they actually are, including their driving abilities, intelligence, honesty, and job performance. Why do you think that is?
• Have you ever been in a situation where someone was not self-aware of a blind spot? Did anyone try to drop hints or help that person become more aware?
• Jeff shared how most people tend to be easily critical about the mistakes and motives of others, but they easily explain away their own mistakes and assign the best motives to themselves. Have you found that to be true? How? 

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Discuss Together

King David struggled with self-deception in a big way. He rationalized his adultery with Bathsheba, his deceit, and even his murder of her husband, Uriah. And, for about a year or so, he thought he got away with it all. But then, God reminded him of his self-deception. Read about it in 2 Samuel 12:1-14.

• How did Nathan go about telling David a hard truth? Why do you think he chose this strategy?
• When was the last time you had to tell someone a hard truth? How did it go? What have you learned about sharing hard truths with others?
• How did David receive this hard truth? After a year of living in self-deception and rationalizing sin, why do you think David was open to hearing this message and repenting?
• Have you ever had a “Nathan” share something difficult with you? How were they helpful to you?
• Sometimes a person shares with us feedback that we don’t agree with or don’t think is true. How do you decipher between feedback you need to listen to and feedback you probably need to dismiss?
• Do you currently have a “booger-in-nose” friend, someone who has the freedom to point out potential blind spots in your life? What does it take to develop that type of friendship? What does it look like to give that person permission to be a “Nathan”?

Now, read Psalm 139:23-24 and James 1:22-25.

• Besides friends, how else does God convict us and make us aware of problem areas in our lives? Have you personally experienced Him convicting you in one of these ways? Share with the group.
• How do you make time for God to speak to you? Do you have a regular rhythm? How can you grow in this area?