No Filter: See The Real You – Week 1

Opener 
Let’s start with visiting our inner child/young student. Use your phone notes app or a piece of paper & pen. Write the letters of your name vertically. With each letter write a personality trait or attribute. If you are comfortable, share with the group.

For example:

Joyful
Extrovert
Savior
Upliting
Son of God

Opening Prayer:  Gracious and holy God, we thank you for creating us perfectly in Your image. We thank you for our unique qualities and the gift of learning about ourselves through each other and through you. We ask that you lead our conversation and help us discover our true selves. Amen.

Week 1 Overview:
The prophet Isaiah speaks to the people of Israel, reminding them that they are redeemed. This word “redeemed” applied to people who had sold themselves into slavery. It meant to buy back. For a price, someone could “buy back” the slave’s debt and set them free. We now use the term “redeemed” in reference to the ability for a mistake to be forgiven and even used for good. This week, we will talk about the idea that we are redeemed - our mistakes not only are forgiven, but our sins and shortcomings can even become the vehicle for something good.

Scripture Reading:
Isaiah 43:1
But now, says the Lord—
the one who created you, Jacob,
    the one who formed you, Israel:
Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name; you are mine.

Engaging Scripture:  Let’s pause before we think about how these passages make us feel or how it applies to our context. This section can help ground your group in talking about what is written and consider its impact on the original audience.  

1. In this verse, God is speaking to Jacob and the Israelites, who we know made many mistakes again and again.  Yet, God makes it clear that He is compassionate and forgiving.  What words does God use to demonstrate those aspects?
   
   
2. This verse can feel incredibly powerful for those who feel lost to the sin in this world. As you hear the words of this scripture, what resonates most deeply with you?
   
   
3. How does this verse show that God chooses to be in relationship with us?
   
   

Application Questions:

1. Pass the list around reading one word each. These words are synonyms for “Redeemed.”  After reading the list, talk openly about the different words and how they resonate with you. Did any version of the word hit you harder or impact you differently or stronger?
   
   

free	restore	rescue
transform	forgive	cleanse
heal	strengthen	help
recover	cover	redeem

2. “Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinion”  What are your initial thoughts on this quote referenced by Pastor Matt in the sermon? Have you experienced being affected by someone else's opinion of you?
   
   
3. Matt talks about how overcoming trauma, hardship, and struggle all take work. Letting God in to redeem our mistakes, pain, and perceived weakness takes work and awareness. Talk about how you have or can (in the future) take steps to do the work. What is something small you can do this week to show up for you to let God in and restore you?
   
   

Closing Prayer: God, We are so grateful you have formed us, redeemed us, and called us by name. Guide us this week as we go into the world, help us to rely on you and not the opinions of others. In your name we pray, Amen.  

Taking it Further:
 
1. The Enneagram
Throughout the next few weeks we will be digging deeper into our true selves. One strategy to get to know yourself better is the Enneagram personality test. The Enneagram is an ancient tool grounded in Christianity.

Taken from Truity.com:
"The Enneagram is a system of personality typing that describes patterns in how people interpret the world and manage their emotions. The Enneagram describes nine personality types and maps each of these types on a nine-pointed diagram which helps to illustrate how the types relate to one another.

The Enneagram uses a numbers system to designate each type. As it is a horizontal system of growth, no one number is better than another. Individuals may relate to more than one type, but the general opinion is that people do not change from one Enneagram personality to another. Rather, they resonate with different traits depending on their overall levels of health."

If you don’t already know your Enneagram number, you are encouraged to take the “test” this week. Don’t rush through it - take your time and have fun. After you take the online test (link below) share your number with your CoreGroup! We will have follow up questions & information next week to dig deeper.

Take the Enneagram Test Here

2. Watch The Chosen

In Episode 1 of Season 1 of The Chosen, Jesus speaks the words of Isaiah to Mary Magdalene in a powerful scene. You can find The Chosen free on many streaming platforms.  Watch episode 1 HERE.