10-30-22 Triggered: Insecurity & Judging

ICEBREAKER
Would you rather have time stop every time you go to sleep so you don’t waste any time or only need to sleep for two hours and feel fully rested?

This is the last week of discussing a teaching series from Pastor Jim called Triggered. During this series, we’ve been exploring various emotions that are easily triggered in us, the commands Jesus gives us about those emotions, and how to manage them. This week we're talking about own fear and insecurity and how it can lead to judging others.

REVIEW & DISCUSS

1. Have you ever felt judged by others? Tell us about it? How did that feel to you?
2. Read Matthew 7:1-5. What does the word “judge” mean? (evaluate, decide, or condemn depending on context)
3. Let’s review what Jesus does NOT mean when he says “do not judge.” What are your thoughts on these?
   1. It’s wrong to think critically for making wise decisions
   2. It’s wrong to evaluate doctrinal or moral issues.
   3. It’s wrong to confront those in error.
   4. It’s wrong to have a system of courts and judges.
4. Let’s review what Jesus DOES mean when he says “do not judge.”
   1. It’s wrong to judge by appearances (John 7:24)
   2. I’s wrong to judge hypocritically (Matthew 7:5)
   3. It’s wrong to judge harshly (Matthew 5:7).
   4. It’s wrong to judge self-righteously (Luke 18:14).
   5. It’s wrong to judge personally (Romans 2:1). Leave that to God.
5. Let’s review some of the emotions that can lead us to judging others.
   1. How can our own insecurity lead us to judge others?
   2. How can …
      1. … fear of change (cultural change, organizational change, political change, etc.) lead us to be judgmental toward those who bring or represent that change?
      2. … fear of loss (loss of comfort, loss of stability, loss of relationship, loss of status, etc. lead us to be judgmental toward those who bring or represent that loss?
   3. How can a feeling of helplessness, rejection, or protectiveness lead us to being judgmental toward others?

TAKEAWAY

1. Catch It - Have you been judgmental toward anyone recently? What words or phrases do hear yourself saying or thinking when you’re being judgmental?
2. Name It - What’s the emotion you’re actually experiencing when you’re being judgmental?
3. Train It -
   1. What are some questions you could ask yourself about those emotions?
   2. What are some lies you can replace with truths?​

PRAYER
First, take some time to ask people to identify prayer needs related to the discussion about feeling used by others. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in prayer.