Living Weird in a God Way

Weird is Better: * Who is someone that you would describe as being weird in a God way? Psalm 69:9-12 says: 9 for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. 10 When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn; 11 when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me. 12 Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards. In this Psalm, David describes being insulted and ridiculed for being different for his faith in God. *In what ways have you been insulted for your faith in Christ. * How do you respond when people insult you because of your faith? 1 Samuel 15:24-25 says: 24 Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I violated the Lord's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them.25 Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord." John 15:18-20 says: 18 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.20 Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.'t If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. Mathew 5:10-12 says: 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. These passages show us two barriers on the road to being weird: the need to please and criticism. * How consumed are you with what people think? How has that influenced your actions. * Why is it important that we are not obsessed with what people think of us? * How can being criticized for your faith be good for your relationship with Christ? * Who is someone you admire for handling criticism for their faith? 1 Thessalonians 2:4 says: 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts Proverbs 29:25 says: 25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. These verses show us that we cant please everyone, but we can please God. *What are some of the blessings you have experienced as a result of your pleasing God? * What are some things you can do this week to help you focus more on pleasing God instead of others? Talk it Over with God: *Thank God for making you weird in His own unique way. Tell Him how that has impacted your life. * Ask God to help you overcome any criticism you are facing because of your faith * Confess to God those areas of your life where you are consumed with what others think about you. * Commit to God that you will strive to please Him and not others in all areas of your life. * Ask God to Help you remove all your barriers that are keeping you from becoming weird in a God way.