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A Vision to be Real

As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” MARK 10:17-23 NLT

How do we become real?

I must get real about my value and worth to God

Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. MARK 10:21 NLT

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. GENESIS 1:27 ESV

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! PSALM 139:17-18 NLT

One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at a table at Jesus’ side. JOHN 13:23 NIV

I am deeply loved by God but deeply broken by sin

I must get real about my struggles and sin

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: …” MARK 10:21 ESV

And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. ROMANS 7:18-23 NLT

Root Sins manifest themselves in…

1. Anger    2. Pride    3. Lying    4. Envy    5. Greed 

6. Fear    7. Gluttony    8. Lust    9. Laziness

Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”  MARK 10:22-23 ESV

I must invite Jesus to help me become what he made me to be

your real life is hidden with Christ in God. COLOSSIANS  3:3 NLT

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. MATTHEW 11:28-29 MSG

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. ROMANS 5:8 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place that will help you calm your thoughts and feelings. Wait until you sense you are reasonably still with God. If you need to, take a few deep breaths or go for a walk. When you are ready, ask God to guide your time with Him. Read Psalm 139:1-24 (NLT) slowly and reflect on it. Think about the truth that God deeply loves all of us even though we are all deeply broken by sin. As you reflect on how God sees you, what are your feelings and thoughts about how important and loved you are by God? How does this help you to be more real with Him? We all sin in some way. Ask God to search your heart and reveal a truth about yourself that doesn’t reflect who He made you to be. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you to face this truth and receive God’s forgiveness and grace through Jesus. Picture what your life would look like if you were healed and transformed in this area. Pray He will guide you to an action He wants you to take to cooperate with Him in this transformation.

Discussion Questions

Choose a couple of the following questions from each section that best fit your group. Or have everyone read the questions, choosing which one(s) from each section they feel led to respond to.

  1. START HERE: Why are people more real at a bar than at a church?
  2. START HERE: How does the world perceive Christians and the Church?
  3. START HERE: Why do you think it’s so easy for people to be religious and so hard to be real?
  4. START HERE: What do you see when you look in the mirror?
  5. KEEP GOING: Finish this sentence: “If people knew the real me, they would…”
  6. KEEP GOING: Read Psalm 139:17-18 (NLT) and John 3:16-17 (NLT). What is your biggest barrier to truly seeing yourself as deeply loved and valued by God?
  7. KEEP GOING: Read Romans 7:18-23 (NLT). Where do you see the brokenness in the world and in yourself? (Note for the Group: As each person shares, the group should practice listening and being a safe space for people to be real, and affirm your love for one another.)
  8. KEEP GOING: Read Mark 10:21 (NLT). It’s easy to miss your real struggle. The rich young ruler missed his pride and greed. How can you get help recognizing your blindspots of sin?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: How has the vision of being real impacted your life? How would a regular practice of being real with ourselves set you free?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: What could you do to value and love others the way God loves them (and you)?