3.31.19 - Messy People (Kenny Camacho; story by Molly McGettrick)
SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10; 2 Corinthians 7:8-12
There are no perfect people; it's a truism we can all agree on. But unfortunately, it's not one we often live out: many of us work extremely hard to seem 'put together' in our public lives and even sometimes in our intimate relationships; we strive to look our best, even if that means hiding the struggles with which we most need help. This week, we want to talk about why accepting and safely sharing our own stories is a critical part of becoming healthy, as well as a crucial function of Christian community. We need to be a church where vulnerability is encouraged, humility is cherished, repentance is lovingly welcomed, and forgiveness abounds.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Why do you think it sometimes seems easier to hide a mess instead of facing it? Do you think this is ultimately true?
This week, we talked about 3 ways we can respond to other people’s messes: we can be overaccomodating, denying that it’s really a mess at all (unhelpful); we can be judgmental, blaming someone for how the mess happened (unhelpful); or we can acknowledge the mess that’s there and walk alongside someone as it gets put back together. Do you have experience with any of these responses, either as the person whose mess was in the open...or the person who responded to that mess?
Do you ever confuse transparency about past struggles with vulnerability about current ones? How can you build relational routines into your life to help you avoid this mistake? How can you help build a culture in your friendships or your small group that can help with this?
Where are you fighting forgiveness in your life (either giving it or receiving it)? Who can you share this with who might be able to walk with you as you are challenged in this?