Sr High Parents update – Jan 11

Parents,

The expectation of perfection is really stupid.  The pressure that we tend to put on ourselves and on others to be perfect is very unrealistic and even silly at times.  We need to come to the realization that each one of us have things about us that are flaws and imperfections.  Whether that be a mistake that we made, or something that we don’t like about ourselves, or things that have happened in our lives, we need to understand that God wants to do something great within our lives despite those flaws.  The battle that each one of needs to face is to work hard to look past those flaws and see ourselves the way God sees us.  Over the next few weeks we are going to look at a few people from scripture who God used despite their flaws.  There is a ton that we can learn from them.  Please take a look at some of the small group material that we covered …

Goals…

• To help the students understand that we all are flawed
• To help the students understand that God loves us despite those flaws
• To take a look at the life of Zacchaeus and learn from it

Conversation Starters…

• High’s and lows … how was the holiday?

Dig a Little Deeper…

• The EXPECTATION of PERFECTION is really STUPID
  • Do you ever feel pressure from people to be perfect?
    • (talk it out)
    • Do you ever put pressure on yourself to be perfect?
      • (talk it out)
    • Do you tend put that pressure on others and judge them when they mess up?
    • FLAWS
      • Do you tens to focus on the things about you that you don’t like?
      • Do you ever beat yourself up about the mistakes that you have made in the past?
      • Does it ever feel like God could not love you because of your flaws?
      • What are some of the different categories of flaws?
      • ZACCHAEUS
        • What is the big thing that he was doing wrong?
        • What did people think of him?
        • What are some things that you can learn from his life?
        • Does his experience with Jesus have any impact on your life?

Personal…

• You could share something about God at work in your own life
• You could share a “flawed”  area of your life or your past that God has helped you work through

Applications…

• Take a look at Psalm 139 and see how unique God created you
• Pray that God would help not allow their Flaws to hold them back
• Pray for those who battle with insecurity
• Ask if anyone prayed tonight to accept Jesus into their lives that they ca talk to you after or in the group

Scriptures…

• Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
• 1 Timothy 2:22 “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
• Luke 19:1-9