Holy Icks | Week 3
Small Group Discussion
Opening Question:
When Jesus talks about removing the plank from your own eye before addressing the speck in someone else’s, what specific ‘planks’ might He be pointing out in your life right now?
Key Scriptures:
Discussion Questions: “Understanding Egocentric Bias“
- Recognizing the Pattern: We gave several examples of egocentric bias (when I’m late vs. when you’re late, when my kids act out vs. when yours do, etc.). Which example resonated most with you? Can you think of an area in your life where you might be applying a double standard?
- The Flashlight vs. The Mirror: Discuss the illustration of walking around with a flashlight (pointing out others’ flaws) versus looking in the mirror (examining ourselves). Why is it so much easier to spot problems in others than in ourselves?
- The Cathedral Story: What did you think about the story of the bus ministry and how perspectives changed when church members actually went to where the kids lived? How does proximity and relationship change our judgment of others?
Key Takeaways: “How to see differently…”
- Admit You Have a Bias: We all see things through our own experiences and perspectives, which aren’t always accurate.
- Ask for God’s Help: Pray Psalm 139:23-24 daily: “Search me, God, and know my heart…”
- Adjust Your Vision of Others: When we receive grace, we extend grace. See people as “miracles in progress” rather than “messes to judge.”
Practical Applications:
Choose at least two of these action steps to practice this week:
- The Daily Prayer Challenge
- Pray Psalm 139:23-24 every morning this week
- Journal what God reveals to you about your own heart
- Share your discoveries with the group next week
- Pause, Look, Assume
- PAUSE – Before judging someone, stop and take a breath
- LOOK FOR GOD – Ask, “How might God be working in their life?”
- ASSUME THE BEST – Give them the same grace you’d want for yourself
- The Relationship Bridge
- Identify someone you’ve judged from a distance
- Take a step to actually meet them, hear their story, or understand their perspective
- Consider: How might proximity change your perspective?
- The Mirror Exercise
- When you’re tempted to criticize someone this week, immediately turn the criticism inward
- Ask: “Do I struggle with this same issue in a different form?”
- Confess your own shortcoming to God before addressing theirs
- The Gratitude Practice
- Each day, identify one person you’ve been critical of
- Write down 3 positive things about them or ways God might be working in their life
- Pray a blessing over them
