Jesus Over Everything Week 2 — Being Real

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. — John 8:32 NIV

WELCOME

Today we’re talking about something so simple, and yet, so very important: being real. And we’re tackling two choices most crucial to being real: choosing real over pretty and honesty over hiding. These two go hand in hand because you can’t be real without being honest. Choosing to hide parts of ourselves by not being real is actually the choice to manage and control our lives instead of trusting God to do so. When we do this, we’re on a constant quest for other people’s approval, thinking their approval will simplify our lives when in reality it only complicates things.

It’s like we’re managing our own personal PR campaign so that the prettiest and most likeable version of ourselves is what others get from us every waking moment. The truth is, that’s just plain exhausting. Not only is it exhausting, it’s contrary to the life God created us to live, and it affects how we live out the good news of Jesus in the world around us. If we’re always seeking pretty instead of real, and if we go on hiding from the truth in our lives, we lose focus on what it means to put Jesus first and we lose our conviction to share the gospel message. Being real is a gift. It’s a gift we give to ourselves and a gift we give to others. When we choose to be real, it inspires others to be real too.

The hope for us moving forward with this Jesus-over-everything journey is that we will see the truth about what is complicating our lives and learn how to uncomplicate them by putting Jesus first. So let’s start today by being real.

This week in your study:

1. Watch the video for session two of Jesus Over Everything on our study home page and take notes in your study guide on pages 31-37 but DON’T GO AWAY just yet! Hang out for the conversation with our OBS community afterward!
2. Grab your Bible and enjoy your personal study this week on pages 38-50.
3. Join the conversations about this week’s teaching and get to know our community in our private Facebook group.