The Case For Unselfishness - Leader

THE CASE FOR UNSELFISHNESS

YOUNG ADULT CELLS AUGUST 2006

THE CASE FOR UNSELFISHNESS IMPT NOTE: The important thing in this lesson is to understand that none of us are spared from this disease called “self”. Tell members we can be victorious over our “self-centeredness”. Jesus modeled the way for us to break this curse which will be discussed in this lesson. Use this lesson to encourage members to make it their choice to place others above themselves in their lives. For a start, invite members to write down one action point towards the end of this lesson.

Leader’s Notes Objective: At the end of this lesson, you will be able to: 1. Know the origin and effects of “selfcenteredness” in our lives. 2. Identify how you can be victorious over your “self”. 3. Take one action point home to serve others above self.

Q1. and Q2. are set to allow members to start thinking about possible motives behind blogging. This will probably help to lead to the next point that we are all often “self” focused.

II. We Are All Infected With A Disease 1) Eve saw that the fruit was good for food and pleasing to the eye and so she ate it. Gen 3:6 specifically mentioned that she also desired to gain wisdom, to be like God. We all want to be in the “know”. The bottom-line is we want control. This also points out the fact that we are all prone to disobedience. We are tempted to test the boundaries drawn out by God to us. 2) They were “opened” to themselves. Before this, they were totally unselfish. They were focused on God and others, totally lacking of selfconsciousness. But after eating the fruit, they became aware of themselves. We have a tendency to be “self focused” rather than “others focused”. Our self-interest supersedes the interests of others. 3) They disobeyed God and were ashamed of themselves. 4) Instead of enjoying an open and unguarded relationship with God, they started to conceal, withdraw and veil themselves from God. When we disobeyed God, we tend to avoid or withdraw from God. We become afraid of being honest with God.

The LORD God formed the man [a] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Gen 2:7

5) They started blaming one another. Adam even blamed God for sending Eve to him, who tempted him with the fruit. They accused others except themselves as the cause for their disobedience. They would not admit that they did wrong. Their concern was to protect themselves at the expense of others. We are all guilty of this, blame, accuse, deny, lie. We all have the tendency to be defensive so as to protect ourselves, to “save face” rather than admitting our faults. This tendency not only affects our relationship with God but also affect our relationship with others.

III. Jesus Came To Show Us A Higher Way 1) Obedience to God and His love for people. You may pause to help members evaluate themselves if you want. How much do they love God? Jesus said that “If you love Me, you will obey my command”. Do they love people with God’s love? 2) Jesus gave up His life for others. He gave up his title, position to come down on earth as a mere man so that we may be saved. 3) Invite members to share. We need to surrender our lives to God and

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Member’s Notes Page 1 of 2

THE CASE FOR UNSELFISHNESS

YOUNG ADULT CELLS AUGUST 2006

allow Him to take control and direct us in our lives.

IV. We Can Live A Higher Way 1) Affirm members as they share their experiences with the cell. This is meant to encourage members to continue to place others above self.

6Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death —even death on a cross! Phil 2:3-8

2) Share any insights if you have any with them as they share this. Remember to pray for them later. 3) Encourage members to write down one specific action point that can be executed immediately in their “field” such as school, army camp, workplace or home. E.g. if they are in school, write something that’s related to people in school etc.

V. Conclusion Get members into smaller groups of three or four to share their thoughts about the lesson and pray for one another. 0.5

Member’s Notes Page 2 of 2