Category: Triggered

10-30-22 Triggered: Insecurity & Judging

11/2/2022

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

Have you ever felt judged by others? Tell us about it? How did that feel to you?
Read Matthew 7:1-5. What does the word “judge” mean? (evaluate, decide, or condemn depending on context)
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.
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.
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

Catch It - Have you been judgmental toward anyone recently? What words or phrases do hear yourself saying or thinking when you’re being judgmental?
Name It - What’s the emotion you’re actually experiencing when you’re being judgmental?
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.

10-23-22 Triggered: Insecurity

10/20/2022

ICEBREAKER
Would you rather be rich and ugly or poor and beautiful?
Would you rather lose all your money and possessions or one of your sense (like sight or hearing)?

We’re discussing a new teaching series from Pastor Jim called Triggered and during this series, we’re 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 insecurity and finances.

REVIEW & DISCUSS

What were some financial principles you've been raised with or have adopted in your life?
Where did these principles come from? Parents? Hard lessons learned?
Does any of it come out of insecurity?
Read Matthew 6:28-34.
Jesus is really addressing materialism. How would you define materialism?
At what point does healthy concern about finances becoming worrying about finances or materialism?

TAKEAWAY

Are you worried about your finances?
Catch It - What happens to you when you think about your finances? When you get worried about your finances?
Name It - Worry is not an emotion. As Brene Brown says, "Worry is the thinking side of anxiety." What emotions are you actually experiencing when you worry about your finances? Be specific. Take a look at the Emotions Wheel if you'd like help.
- Do you feel insecure?
- Do you feel afraid of what will happen?
- Do you feel embarrassed?
- Do you feel skeptical that God will provide?
Train It -
1. What are some questions you could ask yourself about those emotions?
  1. What am I afraid of? Why am I afraid of it?
  2. Why am I feeling so insecure?
2. What are some lies you can replace with truths?
  1. I won't be okay if this happens.
  2. God won't provide what I need.
What can you do to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness?

10-16-2022 Triggered: Worry

10/15/2022

ICEBREAKER
Would you rather get a "we need to talk" email from your boss or get a voicemail from your doctor asking you to call them back immediately?
Would you rather get stuck in traffic when your flight boards in an hour or have to parallel park into a tight space during rush-hour traffic?

We’re discussing a new teaching series from Pastor Jim called Triggered and during this series, we’re 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 worry.

REVIEW & DISCUSS

What are some common things that you tend to worry about?
Read Matthew 6:25-27.
What do you know or remember from Jim's message about the meaning behind the word for "worry"? It can be translated as concern, worry, or be anxious.
What's the difference between having concern for someone or about something, being worried about someone or something, and being anxious or having anxiety? Remember, clinical anxiety should be taken seriously and professional help should be sought.
The English word "worry" has its roots in the Old English word "wyrgen" which means "to strangle." A less known use of the modern word "worry" is "to gnaw at, tear, or drag around with the teeth" like a dog "worrying" a bone. How is "worrying" like gnawing on a bone?

TAKEAWAY

What's your bone? What do you tend to worry about or obsess over the most? Finances? Health? Safety? Politics? Image? Job performance?
Catch It - What feelings do you usually have or things do you usually do when you worry? Chew your nails? Have a tight chest? Nervous ticks? Leave extra early? Ponder repetitively?
Name It - Worry is not an emotion. As Brene Brown says, "Worry is the thinking side of anxiety." What emotions are you actually experiencing when you worry? Be specific. Take a look at the Emotions Wheel if you'd like help.
- Do you feel afraid?
- Do you feel dread?
- Do you feel insecure or inferior?
Train It -
1. What are some questions you could ask yourself about those emotions?
  1. What am I dreading? Why do I dread it?
  2. Why am I feeling so insecure?
2. What are some lies you can replace with truths?
  1. I won't be okay if this happens.
  2. I can't control my worry.
Read Philippians 4:4-9. Walk through this passage and have each person name one practical thing that Paul tells us to do and give a real example of how they will do this in their own life.

10-02-22 Triggered: Used

10/1/2022

Be ready with a printed copy of the Wheel of Emotions to hand out to your group or have them download it themselves.

ICEBREAKER
What's the farthest you've ever walked or run? Was it for fun or did you have to do it?

We’re discussing a new teaching series from Pastor Jim called Triggered and during this series, we’ll be exploring various emotions that are easily triggered in us, how they can lead to sin, the commands Jesus gives us about those emotions, and how to manage them. This week we're looking at the emotions that are triggered when we feel like someone is using us for their gain.

REVIEW & DISCUSS

Read or Review Matthew 5:38-42.
What do you know or remember from Jim's message about the meaning behind "If someone forces you to go one mile"?
How would you feel if you were forced by the soldier of an oppressive empire to carry their equipment for a mile?

TAKEAWAY

What examples can you think of where you feel used by someone else or maybe even forced to do something you don't want to do?
Catch It - What was your usual reaction to this? How do you handle it?
Name It - What emotions did it trigger in you? Be specific. Take a look at the Emotions Wheel if you'd like help.
- Do you feel humiliated?
- Do you feel disrespected?
- Do you feel resentful?
Train It -
1. What are some questions you could ask yourself about those emotions?
  1. Why does this feel so humiliating? Is this where my dignity comes from?
  2. Why am I feeling so resentful?
2. What are some lies you can replace with truths?
What can you do when you're struggling to go another mile?
1. Pray another Prayer?
2. Say another verse?
3. Sing another song?

09-25-22 Triggered: Ashamed

9/24/2022

Be ready with a printed copy of the Wheel of Emotions to hand out to your group or have them download it themselves.

ICEBREAKER
When have you had something taken from you? Tell us about it.
We’re discussing a new teaching series from Pastor Jim called Triggered and during this series, we’ll be exploring various emotions that are easily triggered in us, how they can lead to sin, the commands Jesus gives us about those emotions, and how to manage them. This week we're looking at the emotions that are triggered when something we own is taken away from us.

REVIEW & DISCUSS

Read or Review Matthew 5:38-42, Exodus 22:25-27, and Deuteronomy 24:10-13.
What do you know about the difference between Matthew 5:40 and Luke 6:29?
What do you know or remember from Jim's message about a person's right to his coat?
How would you feel if you had to give up both your coat (keeps you warm and is your bedding) and your shirt (which is really your underwear)?

TAKEAWAY

Why is it so hard to give up our rights to our possessions?
Why should we be willing to give them up, even when they are unjustly taken?
Catch It - Think about the time someone took something from you. What was your reaction? Did you fight for it or retaliate?
Name It - What emotions did it trigger in you? Be specific. Take a look at the Emotions Wheel if you'd like help.
- Did you feel violated?
- Were you embarrassed or ashamed?
- Did you feel insecure and worried?
Train It -
1. What are some questions you could ask yourself about those emotions?
2. What are some lies you can replace with truths?
To what kind of response is Christ calling us?

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

09-18-22 Triggered: Offended

9/17/2022

Be ready with a printed copy of the Wheel of Emotions to hand out to your group or have them download it themselves.

ICEBREAKER
Tell of a time when you were insulted as a kid or as an adult.
We’re discussing a new teaching series from Pastor Jim called Triggered and during this series, we’ll be exploring various emotions that are easily triggered in us, how they can lead to sin, the commands Jesus gives us about those emotions, and how to manage them.

REVIEW & DISCUSS

Read or Review Matthew 5:38-42.
What do you know or remember from Jim's message about vs 38 and lex talionis? Take a look at Leviticus 24:17-22 for help.
The Command of Christ here is "Don't resist an evil person."
1. What does or could Jesus mean by "resist"?
2. What does or could Jesus mean by "an evil person?"
The first example that Jesus gives for this "turn the other cheek."
Think about the time that you were insulted by someone. What emotions did it trigger in you? Take a look at the Emotions Wheel if you'd like help.
What was your reaction?
1. Did it lead to sin? Did you hurt the other person back?
2. Did it lead to your own self-doubt? Did you believe them and let the insult hold you down?

TAKEAWAY

Catch It - When you are insulted and start experiencing the urge to retaliate what are some practical ways you can “catch it” in the moment.
Name It - When you were insulted, what emotion do you think you were really experiencing? Was it embarrassment? Insecurity? Fear? Shame?
Train It - When you were insulted, what are some truths about yourself that you could use to train your emotions?

09-11-22 Triggered: Anger

9/10/2022

Be ready with a printed copy of the Wheel of Emotions to hand out to your group or have them download it themselves.

ICEBREAKER
Describe one of your biggest pet peeves.
Well, we’re discussing a new teaching series from Pastor Jim called Triggered and during this series, we’ll be exploring various emotions that are easily triggered in us, how they can lead to sin, the commands Jesus gives us about those emotions, and how to manage them.

REVIEW & DISCUSS

What are some of your anger triggers? Name some things that happen, things people do, or things people say that trigger an emotion in you that feels like anger.
Read or Review Matthew 5:21-26.
1. In what ways can expressing anger toward someone be just as bad as murder? How can anger hurt others?
2. Notice the phrase ‘Raca’ which means “empty headed’ and ‘you fool.’ Do you ever catch yourself using similar phrases or worse?
3. What do verses 23-24 say about God’s priorities?
4. In verse 25, the phrase “settle matters quickly” is a little more like “be favorable quickly” or “be agreeable quickly.” Have you ever had to compromise and become agreeable with something you originally didn’t?
Read or Review 1 Samuel 18:6-9. Notice how Saul was “angry” but, as the NLT and other translations say, “he kept a jealous eye” on David. The initial expression was anger but the real emotion was jealousy.

TAKEAWAY

Download and look at the Wheel of Emotions. Maybe print and hand it out to your group. Many people express anger when their real emotion might actually be found under Bad, Fearful, Angry, Disgust, or perhaps even Sad.
Catch It - When you start experiencing an emotion that feels like anger, what are some practical ways you can “Catch it.”
Name It - What’s an emotion you’ve felt that you thought was anger? “Name it” now. Can you share a story?
Train It - What are some simple things you can do or remind yourself of to train your body to manage your emotions better?
1. Pause, deep breaths, take a walk or a break (some research shows that our bodies need 20 minutes, not 5, to calm down from anger)
2. Replace the lie with the truth, etc.
Read Psalm 4:4-5. The "sacrifices of the righteous" IS "trusting the Lord."
1. How is trusting the Lord a sacrifice?
2. With what specific emotion (Name It) do you need to trust the Lord?

10-30-22 Triggered: Insecurity & Judging

10-23-22 Triggered: Insecurity

10-16-2022 Triggered: Worry

10-02-22 Triggered: Used

09-25-22 Triggered: Ashamed

09-18-22 Triggered: Offended

09-11-22 Triggered: Anger

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