Managing Negative Emotion: Inferiority

September 25, 2011 Vol. 11, No. 190

WORSHIP
Suggested Worship Songs: Forever / Turn It Around / Your Grace Is Enough / I will Sing / For All Youve Done / Revelation Song /

WELCOME
Icebreaker: I Am a New Creation
Fold a paper in two. On the left fold write down how you describe yourself before you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; then at the bottom, write the old has gone. On the right fold, write down how you describe yourself today as Gods child through His saving grace in Jesus. On top of the right fold write: If anyone is in Christ is a new creation, and below the fold, the new has come. After three to five sharers from your group, say this aloud all together: I am a new creation, the old has gone, and the new has come!

WORD

Managing Negative Emotions: Inferiority

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! Inferiority is a state of being lower in place, rank, condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. excellence, value, worth, talents, age, race, etc. 5. Shame (Joel 2:27) Inferiority complex is a persistent sense of inadequacy The Holy Spirit convicts us of our shame for what or a tendency to self diminishment, sometimes resulting weve done, but we dont have to live under a cloud of in excessive aggressiveness through overcompensation. shame walking around with that perpetual inferiority; Jesus bore our shame and He will never put His people Many of us at some points struggle from feeling inferior to shame. i.e. shy, insecure, embarrassed, inhibited, ashamed, inadequate, etc. Understandably, feeling of inferiority is Biblical Examples of Inferiority: hard to overcome, due to the forces of life, our Moses Israelites David background, experiences and even culture. Joshua Timothy Side Effects of Inferiority: Over-striving to be accepted trying to 1. False Humility (Colossians 2:18; Titus 3:2) overcompensate to please others succumbing to peer Self-denigration is an example of false humility, putting pressure. yourself down all the time, seeing yourself of little worth who is unworthy of respect. Over-acting to be what we are not this is similar to lying and hypocrisy, falsehood and deception, 2. Fear of Man (Proverbs 29:25) putting up a false front; wearing different masks Being afraid of what others think about you to the everywhere; it will soon backfire on you. point of trying to please all of them. Over-trying to be loved it is normal to long for love but over-trying it will lead you in trouble. 3. Guilt (Romans 8:1) Sometimes we can be driven by guilt, walking around How do we overcome Inferiority? hearing the accusers say about the past sins weve done It is not easy to do by yourself alone; you have to turn and live in a pit of despair and insecurity. to the Lord and His word to build our life on a foundation of: 4. Condemnation (1John 3:20) Gods truth is His word; the truth is there is now no 1. Acceptance mans standard for acceptance is Biblical Definition of Inferiority:

oftentimes based on external appearance, past sins, behavior and performance, but God loved us and forgave us, by His grace. In Christ we are accepted by God; He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph 1:3-6). Stand on this foundation. We dont need to try hard to earn what He has already given to us - His favor, love, grace and acceptance. 2. Truth make it a habit to love, read, and study, memorize, ingest, engage in it and live out Gods word. If we read at least three chapters of the Bible a day, we will finish reading it in one year. Abiding in Gods word and living it out is a mark of a true disciple of Christ (Psalm 111:7). Live the truth for life. God is against lying because of who He istrue and faithful
impossible for God to lie. You are safe with God, and that is for

sure. God is against lying because of who Satan isliar and deceiver (John 8:44). When we live in dishonest life, trying to be what we are not, were going against God. God is against lying because of what Love iskind and true (1 Corinthians 13:4-6). Love and truth are inseparable. Love rejoices in truth. God is against lying because of what it doeshurt and ruins (Proverbs 22:2). It hurts to walk in lies. Lying will ruin your reputation.

3. Love - stand on the truth of Gods love. God made us, were valuable to Him; He loved us; the more we can relate to that, believe and live in Gods love, the less well struggle on inferiority and inadequacy. (Exodus 20:15-16; 1 John 5:6b; Hebrews 6:18). It is (Luke 12:7; 1 John 4:9-10; Isaiah 43:1-4)

Discussion Questions:
(Leaders: Please choose questions that are appropriate to the level of spiritual maturity of your members)

1. I am Who I am. Suppose you are in a job interview for CCF, and your Area Pastor asked you, Describe yourself, how would you describe yourself? 2. I am Embarrassed. What is your most embarrassing experience so far? How did it affect you after? What did you learn from that experience? 3. What youve got. Read and internalize Ephesians 1:3-7. What did God already give you in Jesus, which you find yourself still trying to earn and to work hard for? What makes it difficult for you to believe that He has already given you every spiritual blessing when you are in Christ? How can your dgroup help you stand on this foundational truth?

WORKS
The Old Has Gone! The New Has Come!
Which of the Biblical Definition of Inferiority Using the material you made in the Icebreaker: I Am a New can you relate the most? In pairs, share about Creation which is your very own life story; try to practice your struggles on this kind of inferiority based sharing the Gospel with your group mates by pairs. on your personal experience and background. The more you stand on the foundation of the truth that God Read aloud the suggested scripture references and other loved you and accepted you through Jesus Christ, the less applicable verses that will help you build your life on, to you struggle on the negative feeling of inferiority. Sharing your very own life in Christ, and how God loved and accepted overcome the negative feelings. Pray together after. you as His valuable child, will help you overcome inferiority. With your dgroup partner, share your life testimony using 1. False Humility (Colossians 2:18; Titus 3:2) your Icebreaker illustration with this testimony outline: 2. Fear of Man (Proverbs 29:25)

3. Guilt (Romans 8:1) 4. Condemnation (1John 3:20) 5. Shame (Joel 2:27)

1. 2. 3. 4.

Your old self and lifestyle Your new found faith and personal relationship with Jesus Why Jesus loved you, and what He did for you Your new self and purpose-driven life