Week 3: Personal Beliefs

Opening verse:

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV - And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

1 minute pause

Open in prayer

Discussion

These are also known as our worldviews or unspoken principles for our lives. People form their personal beliefs on many factors, including how they were raised as children, what their social environment looked like, their closest relationships and their past experiences. But the Bible tells us as Christ followers that our beliefs shouldn’t be negatively influenced by our world or our culture, but by God’s purpose for us. The Bible says: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV

Common unhelpful beliefs

There are hundreds of different beliefs we have in our lives, some good and some not so much. We would call those not-so-good beliefs “unhelpful” because they don’t line up with what God says about us, and they cause us to react rather than respond. Below are a list of the top categorized unhelpful beliefs most of us experience:

1. I must do well and be approved by others

2. Other people must treat me nice and fairly

3. I must have an easy, happy life or I cannot enjoy living at all

4. I am entitled to everything I think and feel I am entitled to

5. I must be a high achiever and accomplish much

6. Nobody should ever behave badly, and if they do, I should condemn them

7. When I’m under pressure, I must react in sadness

8. When faced with danger, I must make frantic efforts to avoid it at all costs

9. I can avoid being responsible and avoid difficulties while still being fulfilled

10. People aren’t allowed to hurt my feelings

11. My past is the most important part of my life and it dictates everything I do

12. I will be happy in life by making as little effort as possible

13. I am not allowed to experience any frustrations while trying to achieve what I want

Identifying your unhelpful beliefs

Look through this list and identify one personal belief you lean toward the most. After that, rate the extremity of that personal belief on a scale of 1 to 10.

Group questions about each personal beliefs

When you think about this personal belief, where do you think it’s coming from?

What are you noticing about its effect on you?

What do you think God is making known to you?

Read: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Psalm 139:23-24 ESV

How do you want to respond to this personal belief?