Exemplar Coaching

Live by Design, Not by Default.
Edition  39

Within

Last Edition Recap
How have you applied the last edition to your life?
Opening Prayer
Merciful God, You know us better than we know ourselves; You judge us on what is within the deepest part of our hearts. Guide us in this session to truly turn our hearts over to You. Amen.
Introduction
Technology tracks everything now—where we go, what we like, our daily routines, even predicting our emotions. Your phone can be hacked into a listening device, recording wherever you go, whatever you say. What seemed far-fetched 10 years ago is reality. We cannot hide as easily as people once did. Humanity is being watched and studied constantly. But technology is nothing compared to what God knows about us and sees in our hearts. It’s within our hearts where God finds who we truly are. Will Smith said, “Throughout life people will make you mad, disrespect you and treat you bad. Let God deal with the things they do, cause hate in your heart will consume you too.” But here’s the deeper truth: “You are what is within your heart, you are not what you think is in your heart.” The difference between perception and reality, between our self-image and God’s x-ray vision into our souls. 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us that humans look at outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. No filter, no facade, no fooling Him. The question isn’t what others see or even what you think you are—it’s what God sees within.
Chat Point 1
  1. Which words pop out for you in 1 Samuel 16:7 and why?
  2. What does this verse tell you about God’s perspective versus human perspective?
  3. How does it make you feel knowing your every movement is tracked by technology?
  4. If God sees everything within your heart, what does He find there?
  5. Why might there be a difference between what you think is in your heart and what’s actually there?
Read
1 Samuel 16:7, Luke 18:9-14, Proverbs 28:13-14, James 4:10

Key Focus
James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
Chat Point 2
  1. What similarities do the Pharisee and Tax Collector share, yet what makes them so different?
  2. Which one’s heart is pride-filled and which is humble—and how can you tell?
  3. Why does the Pharisee “play church,” and how do we play church today?
  4. What’s the danger of having a pride-filled heart according to the Pharisee’s prayer?
  5. Why does God exalt the humble heart but resist the proud?
Final Thought
The downward spiral of a pride-filled heart: When you are NOT humble at heart, you will be blinded by pride. Then you cannot see your own sin. When you cannot see your own sin, you cannot acknowledge it. If you cannot acknowledge your own sin, you don’t think you have anything to repent for. If you don’t think you have anything to repent for, you will not ask God for forgiveness. If you do not ask God for forgiveness, you will not be forgiven. And if you are not forgiven, you cannot be saved. This is a major problem for God because God wants you to be saved—even if that means divinely humbling you Himself. Jesus says God will have no problem humbling us if our hearts are filled with pride. The good news? Jesus tells us this parable so we may have a chance to humble ourselves before God HAS to do it for us. God’s plan is to save you, and He will do whatever it takes. This is His mercy in action. Technology may track your location, but God tracks your heart’s condition. The Pharisee stood confident in his righteousness, listing his accomplishments. The Tax Collector couldn’t even look up, beating his chest, crying for mercy. One went home justified. The other went home still blind to what was within.
My Action
What key insight or learning from this session resonates most with me, and what do I sense God is inviting me to do in response?
Shared Prayer
What are your prayer requests?​
Closing Prayer
Merciful Lord, even when we don’t recognise Your mercy, You are merciful; help us turn from pride and be humble before it’s too late. Amen.
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In-Between Chats: Personal Reflection
  1. Tax Collector or Pharisee—are you humble at heart or is your heart pride-filled? What evidence supports your answer?
  2. Why has God given you a chance to humble yourself, and what must you do about it?
  3. What is truly within your heart that no one else sees but God knows?
Edition Writer: Rev Kevin Zondagh

Methodist Minister, Personal Development Specialist, Life Coach, Relationship Coach and Executive Coach. Founder and Owner of Exemplar Coaching Pty Ltd and CoffeeChatConnect. "We should have the desire to custom design the only life we have. After-all, we buy designer everything. How much more should we Live by Design, not by default?"