Know Yourself That You May Know God: Becoming Your Authentic Self

ANNOUNCEMENTS - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11th 

Food Boxes for Those In Need

We are partnering with the Union Gospel Mission to serve our city and meet practical needs this Fall.

One way you can help us do that is connecting us with families that are in need. We want to bless local families with food boxes during this difficult time.

Each food box weighs approximately 20 pounds and contains protein, produce, and dairy products for families in need. 

We're happy to give these food boxes away at no cost as a way to care for and share the gospel with struggling families in our area. 

If your know of families in need, please reach out to us so we can bless them with some food boxes in this difficult season.

Baptism Sunday

Sunday, November 8th

Join us on Sunday, November 8th as we celebrate baptisms during our morning worship service.

Are you Interested in getting baptized?

Talk with Pastor Kyle on Sunday or email him at kyle@rainiervalleychurch.com



Weekly Community Groups


Sabalza CG

Sundays

@Ken Sabalza 

11:30-1pm

online/in person


Pratts CG

Tuesdays

@Steve Pratt & @Kyrsten Pratt

7:30-9pm

online


Les CG

Tuesdays

@Minh/@Mickey Loudon

7:30-9pm

Online/in person


Foreman CG

Wednesdays

@Doug F @Irene Yung / @Brendan Shearer

7:30pm-9pm

Online/In person


Van Tines CG

Thursdays

@Kyle Van Tine & @Crystal Van Tine 

7:30-9pm

Online/In Person


Men’s Discipleship/Bible Study 

Saturdays

@Corey Hunt & @Mickey Loudon

Noon-1pm

In Person - This week will be hosted by Sharon and @Manny Pastre at their house in Federal Way.



Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Week #2

Community Group Video and Discussion Questions



Introduction

Self-awareness is intricately related to our relationship with God. In fact, the challenge of Scripture to shed our old "false" self in order to live authentically in our new "true" self strikes at the very core of true spirituality. In AD 500 Augustine wrote in the Confessions, "How can you draw close to God when you are far from your own self?" He prayed: "Grant, Lord, that I may know myself that I may know thee." In 1530, John Calvin wrote in his opening of the Institutes of the Christian Religion: Our wisdom...consists almost entirely of two parts: the Knowledge of God and of ourselves. But as these are connected together by many ties, it is not easy to determine which of the two precedes and give birth to the other." The vast majority of us go to our graves without knowing who we are. Without being fully aware of it, we live someone else's life, or at least someone else's expectations for us. This does violence to ourselves, to our relationship with God, and ultimately to others.



Group Discussion



Starters (10 minutes)

The journey of genuine transformation to emotionally healthy spirituality begins with a commitment to allow yourself to feel. Feelings are an essential part of our humanity and unique personhood as men and women created in God's image. Scripture reveals God as an emotional being who feels as a person. Having been created in his image, we also are created with the gift to feel and experience emotions. Some of us may have learned that feelings are not to be trusted; that they are dangerous and can lead us us away from God's will for us. While it is true that we are not to be led by our emotions, they do serve a critical function in our discipleship and discernment of God's will.

To better understand your emotions, respond to these questions.

• What are you angry about?
• What are you sad about?
• What are you anxious about?
• What are you glad about?

Bible Study: 1 Samuel 17:26-45 (35 minutes)

1. In your own words, what are some of David's thoughts and feelings when he hears Goliath's challenge to Israel (v 26)?
2. What are some of the accusations and messages David receives from the people around him? From his family (v 28), from Saul (v 33, 38), and from Goliath (v 41-45).
3. What feelings might you be experiencing if you were David? (in response to family, authority figures, and enemies)
4. What enables David to live out of his true self against the powerful forces and pressures that seek to mold him into someone he is not?
5. Where in your life, or with whom, is it difficult to be your true self (ex. to speak honestly, say "no" or not be afraid of what others think).

Application (15 minutes)



What might it look like for you to take off the armor that you are currently wearing that does not fit you?



Many of us are so unaccustomed to distinguishing our true self from our false self that it may seem difficult to know where to begin. Complete the following sentence, and then share it with your group as a first step: What I am beginning to realize about myself is...