The Reformer

11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons.12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. 13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. Luke 15:11-13 NLT

17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home, even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ 20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. 22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’ 28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends.30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ 31“His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’” Luke 15:17-32 NLT

The Reformer…

Reflects: God’s goodness
Motivation: Being good and right
Need: To be perfect
Avoid: Criticism
Focus: Flaws
Core Sin: Anger
Fear: Being flawed

When unhealthy Reformers can become…

Blinded by anger
- But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord… Acts 9:1 ESV
- Anger is the easiest emotion to express, but the most difficult to understand.
Terrified of their own sins and struggles
Driven by their own sense of Justice
- But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Acts 9:1-2 ESV
- Things can be legal and still be wrong.
Consumed with a critical spirit

When healthy Reformers can…

Get a vision of Jesus
- As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Acts 9:3-6 NLT
Become honest and open about your sins and struggles
- This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 1 Timothy 1:15 NLT
Become full of compassion and love for people despite their flaws
- Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 NLT
Become filled by the Holy Spirit
- So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9:17 ESV

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

We recommend playing some quiet music (preferably without lyrics) to help everyone make space for this time. We can tend toward making mental lists of everything that’s wrong, especially what’s wrong with us, and it can often blind us to the good that God is doing in us. So, begin by making a list of all that is right in your life right now. Write these down in a journal or here in the space below. Consider some questions like, “For what or who are you thankful? In what ways has God blessed you?” Allow yourself plenty of time to stay in this moment. Write down everything you can think of, regardless of how big or small. Next, pay attention to how you feel. Invite God into your list, and ask him to reveal his grace for you as you focus on the blessings in your life. Ask him for the grace for you that you might have a hard time supplying for yourself. Share with your group a few things that made your list.

Discussion Questions

LEADER’S NOTE: Take the first 5-10 minutes of group time to have everyone do the Personal Reflection Guide (linked on the sermon notes). You may want to set a timer, play some soft music, etc. Once you notice people finishing up, transition to group discussion time with a short prayer, then open by asking people to share a few items from their lists that came up for them during the reflection time and what that experience was like.

REAL WITH SELF: In what ways do you relate to both the beauty (goodness, justice) and the brokenness (self-criticism, anger) of the Reformer? In what way have you experienced this style in your life or the lives of those around you?

REAL WITH GOD: In what ways have you seen God love you (or others) who wrestle with perfectionism, self-criticism, and the anger that can often come with having a lot of the Reformer in them? How does that motivate you to love God more?

REAL WITH OTHERS: Read Colossians 3:13. Describe a time in your life where you experienced compassion. How did that experience affect your ability to show compassion to others?

REAL WITH OTHERS: Read Acts 9:17. Just like how Ananias obeyed God and ministered to Paul despite his flaws, take some time to care for those in your group right now—especially those who are self-critical and including those who identify as Reformers. Try writing down (or texting) a compliment (or a few compliments) for each person. Focus on the “character stuff” rather than the superficial. Give them the written compliments so they can read through them. Feel free to use group time for each person to share their experience of reading what was written about them—if they are comfortable doing so.

TAKE ACTION: Encourage your group to read through A Moment For YOU (Bible Reading Plan in the app). In what ways has this tool better helped you understand yourself, God, and others this week? If they’ve not yet engaged with the Bible Reading Plan, talk about what is keeping them from engaging with it. Or, what are they using to help them go deeper with this series on a daily basis?