You don't want to be me!

TDA 

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

Garth Heckman 

 

 

Title: Created to Be You: Embracing God's Design

Introduction:

• Begin by acknowledging that in today's world, there's a lot of pressure to conform, to fit into certain molds. But what does God's Word say about our individuality?
• Ask the group: "Have you ever felt pressure to be someone you're not? Where does that pressure come from?"

Scripture Readings:

• Psalm 139:13-16:
  • "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."  
    
    
    
    
  • Discussion points:
    • What does it mean to be "fearfully and wonderfully made"?
    • How does this passage emphasize God's intentionality in creating each of us?
    • How does the fact that God saw your "unformed body" and ordained your days, indicate his personal involvement in our lives?
• Genesis 1:27:
  • "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."  
    
    

I have learned early on if I am singing a song that I wrote… don’t worry about how my voice lines up to anyone else’s… Do you think Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Kim Carnes, Ronnie James Dio, Louis Armstrong, Tom Waits, Stephen Pearcy… I could go on and on… do you think they wished they sounded like Adelle? NOT a chance, they would not be famous right now… they are themselves and famous because of it. 

 

If I preach a sermon… I have many times wished I could preach like other pastors and communicators… their set up, their delivery, their insight, their knowledge beyond scripture… WOW… but I have learned I am always at my best when I am just me.

• • Discussion points:
    • What does it mean to be created "in God's image”? IT TRULY MEANS TO BE WHO HE CREATED YOU TO BE. 
    • How does this verse establish our inherent worth and dignity?
    • How does this verse indicate that all humans have value, and are created uniquely?
• 1 Corinthians 12:12-27:
  • This passage speaks of the body of Christ, with each member having a unique and vital function.
  • Discussion points:
    • How does this analogy illustrate the importance of our individual gifts and contributions?
    • How does this passage encourage us to value our differences and recognize our interdependence?
    • How does this apply to our individual personalities, and giftings?
• Romans 12:2:
  • "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
  • Discussion points:
    • What does it mean to "not conform to the pattern of this world"?
    • How does the renewing of our minds help us embrace our true selves?
    • How does knowing God's will relate to being our authentic selves?

Key Takeaways:

• God's intentional design: God created each of us with unique gifts, talents, and personalities.
• Value in individuality: Our differences are not flaws but essential parts of God's plan.
• Freedom from conformity: We are called to live authentically, not to imitate the world's standards.
• God's image: Each person bears the image of God, therefore each person has great value.
• The body of Christ: Our individual uniqueness is vital to the body of Christ.

Application:

• Encourage participants to reflect on their own unique qualities and how they can use them to serve God and others.
• Discuss practical ways to resist the pressure to conform and embrace their true selves.
• Pray for the group, that they may find the strength to be whom God created them to be.

Closing:

• Remind everyone that God loves them unconditionally and celebrates their individuality.
• Encourage them to walk in confidence, knowing that they are fearfully and wonderfully made