Message: YOUR PATH...Understanding the Heart of the matter
Week of May 31, 2009

Thematic Focus
Finding the path to where you want to go, requires breaking the cycle of self-deception.

Main Points
1. Trusting in self leads to a wasteland.
2. Trusting in the Lord leads to a sustainable life.
3. The human heart is deceitful.
4. God promises a reward according to the paths we take.

Too often we pursue "happiness" with our lives instead of what is true. Breaking the cycle of self-deception means we have to take responsibility for where we are, our attitudes, our actions, our personal stuff.

The truth messes with our lives. Telling ourselves the truth can be liberating, but it also can be terrifying.

Summary Points
We can never get to where we want to be if we don't know where we are to begin with.

Scriptural Lens:
· Jeremiah 17:5-10; John 8:32

Pursuing clarity
Use the following structure to guide your discussion:

Opening Prayer
Take a moment to recognize Christ’s presence with you.

Opening Reflection
How would you describe "happiness?" Identify some people who have chosen to do unwise things when they aloud their pursuit of happiness to cloud their better judgment.

Scriptural Focus
Take time to read the suggested Scriptures.

Group Discussion
Use these questions to begin your discussion:

1. Why is it that our problems rarely stem from a lack of information or insight?
2. Do you have a hard time leveling with yourself? Explain.
3. Referencing Jeremiah 17:9-10, how does God describe the human heart? How does this truth complicate things for us?
4. Identify a time you lied to yourself in order to make a bad decision more acceptable. What happened?
5. Have you ever sold yourself on what you wanted to do rather than what you ought to have done? Explain.
6. How does "coming clean" with yourself about the truth behind your choices put you on the verge of freedom?
7. What kind of "truth" is Jesus talking about in John 8:32?