Quit worrying about everyone else

Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God… ROMANS 14:10 ESV
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” MATTHEW 7:3-5 NLT

Embrace who Jesus has called you to be

Let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t. ROMANS 12:6 MSG
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well… Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection,and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. ROMANS 12:3-6, 9-11 NLT
I am called to be a servant of Jesus

Own your weakness

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 CORINTHIANS 12:8-10 NLT
The longer the struggle, the sweeter the victory

Change what_ really matters_

For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. PHILIPPIANS 1:10 NLT
All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. PHILIPPIANS 2:21 NLT

Jesus cares more about what’s happening inside me than around me!
What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too. MATTHEW 23:25 NLT

At Sandals Church, our mission is to help you become real about what’s really happening with yourself, God and others.
Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. LUKE 2:52 NLT
We help you figure out being real on the weekends
We help you work it out in groups
We help you live it out on teams

Community Group Discussion Guide

1. If you had a magic wand to add or subtract any one thing to give you the life you’ve always wanted, what would it be?
2. Read Romans 12:3. Do you tend to think too much or too little of yourself and where do you think that comes from?
3. Continue reading Romans 12:4-8. What unique gifts has God given you? How comfortable are you with those gifts?
4. In what ways do you tend to compare yourself to others? How does that affect how you present yourself to others and what you say yes to?
5. Read Matthew 7:3-5. What’s one thing you need to “take out of your eye” that is skewing the way you see reality? How would removing it give you better vision to see others?
6. Read 2 Corinthians 12:8-10. What “weakness” have you faced recently that made you stronger? Is there something in your life that you need to face in order to make this year the best year ever? How can we help?

Personal Reflection Guide

Spend some time quieting yourself before God. Read Psalm 139 slowly, allowing time to pause and contemplate as God leads. Ask him to first reveal any areas in your life where you’re comparing yourself to others. Where is this coming from (e.g. “righteous” judgment, jealousy or personal insecurity)? Intentionally invite God into this space and ask him to change your heart toward yourself. Hand over your insecurity and anger to him and thank God for who he has made you to be. Take time to embrace your strengths, even as you take ownership of your weaknesses. Finally, ask God to show you how you can use your unique combination of challenges and gifts to serve him. What steps can you take to move toward using your gifts for God? Commit to doing one thing this week to move in this direction.