Don’t believe the lie that in order to feel good about yourself you have to be approved by certain people.
Talking Points:
- The Lie: If I’m approved by others, then I have value. The preoccupation with how others view us and seeking their approval can so consume us that it becomes an addiction. Galatians 1:10
- The fear of rejection can bring out unhealthy emotions of anger and resentment towards those who reject us. We might become controlling people because we work hard to create the perception we want others to have of us. Or, we can become closed off to authentic relationships and hide behind the facade we’ve created for ourselves.
- Reconciliation means we go from being enemies of God to friends of God. This is what Jesus did for us when he died for our sins. He made us worthy of God’s love because he took away our brokenness and replaced it with his goodness. Colossians 1:21-22, Romans 8:38-39
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- How big of a role does social media play in your life? Explain.
- What do you think people’s motives are in what they choose to post on social media? What would you say are typically your motives for what you choose to post?
- Who are the people in your life for whom you seek approval? What does their approval mean to you?
- As a way to prove yourself, have you ever overcommitted to something or someone? Why did you do it? What would you do differently today?
- Have you been rejected by someone before? Explain. How did that rejection affect your life?
- Read Colossians 1:21-22. Identify everything this passage says about Jesus and you. What does it mean to you that you can be a friend of God because of Jesus?
- Read Romans 8:38-39. How much does God love you? How should knowing that you are fully accepted by God change the way you view yourself? What’s holding you back from fully embracing God’s love and acceptance?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Adapted from the book The Search For Significance by Robert McGee
