This section isn't mandatory, but we recommend that you go through it together. We take some of the main ideas from our "Truth of the Month" video and explore them further using specific examples, stories, and videos that flesh them out in unique ways. Each main idea has a few quick discussion questions to get you thinking before you jump into your lengthier calibration discussion for the month.
Click through the titles in the green menu below to explore further.
Truth #1
"The sources we go to about our true identity determine our life's direction (how we become men) and, ultimately, our destination (the kind of man we become). Write that down and keep it in mind as we continue today. Our source determines our life's direction, and ultimately, our destination."
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Let's take a simple question as an example. Let's say you ask, "Should I study for my math exam tomorrow?" Now, if you take that question to your mom, her answer would be a resounding YOU BETTER STUDY FOR THAT EXAM. You listen (it may be a first) and study, memorizing the theorems and equations you need. You take the test and get an A. Because you went to your mom as the source, you went in the direction of studying for the test, and ended up at the destination of a glorious "A."
Now, what if you ask your Brawl Stars team the same question? I am betting the answer would be different, "Let's play tonight!" So you do, and man, what a night. You win every game you play AND collect enough credits to FINALLY unlock that brawler you've wanted for a while. But when you sit down for the test the next day, you take a major "L." Because you went to your friends as the source, you went in the direction of gaming instead of studying and ended up at the destination of a solid D at best.
One of those sources was more reliable than the other, and if the destination of an "A" was the goal, your Brawl Star team is not the right source to go to with that question.
Quick Discussion Questions
- What other areas do you see Source-Direction-Destination playing out in your life?
- What sources do you often take your questions to?
Truth #2
"We broke close, trusting relationship we had with God and each other, and we separated ourselves, first from one another, then from our Creator. We isolated in fear and shame. When our True Source finally finds us, we come out from our hiding place, and instead of admitting our mistake and asking for forgiveness, we widen the gap between us and God by blaming each other and the serpent."
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Have you ever done something you knew was wrong or made a mistake and lied about it because you were ashamed of your choice? Maybe you've done this with your parents a time or two. Maybe you hurt your brother, and when your parents ask you about it, you lie to save your skin. Or perhaps you broke something expensive, and instead of telling your parents, you hide it and hope no one finds you out. Or maybe your parents told you not to touch the hot stove, but you don't listen; you burn your finger, and you lie when your parents ask you what happened. We've all done things like this before, and when we do, we break our relationship with our parents. Instead of trusting our parents and telling them the truth, we wedge a lie between us and them. We can't have a close relationship if trust doesn't exist between our parents and us. Separation defines our relationship. I'm sure you've even FELT that separation after a moment like this. You know something isn't right between you and your parents, and when you see them, your lie floods your heart and you feel ashamed and alone. Or you live in fear of them "finding out." That is like the consequence we felt in Garden. We wedged blame, fear, and shame between God and us; the result was an intense separation in that once close relationship.
Quick Discussion Questions
- Can you think of any other times where you felt separated from someone because of a bad decision you made?
- Did you ever try to bridge the separation? If so, how?
Truth #3
"God knew that if separated from Him, Humanity would forever struggle to choose him as our True Source. We would worsen the separation over time and lose all clarity about our true identity. Confusion would set in as other sources offered new answers to our questions claiming they are the "right" answers. These sources apart from God would send us along paths that He did not design us for- toward the same destination over and over again: more separation and confusion."
"Our world is more separated and confused than ever, and we continually end up at that destination as we look for our answers in all the wrong places."
"As soon as we stepped off the Path of our True Source, he began to make a way for us to walk it again. We can return to our Garden State IF we go to our Creator and make him our True Source."
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We face separation and confusion every day in many ways. All of humanity struggles to choose to trust our True Source over the sources that present themselves as "good." When we do things our way apart from God, we perpetuate separation and confusion. But that destination doesn't have to be final.
As soon as we stepped away from God's Path, he made a way for us to walk it again. Watch the few videos below. They showcase separation, confusion, and God's path back to our Garden State through the narrative of the Bible. They do a great job giving us examples of the life our True Source invites us into:
All rights reserved to The Bible Project. TNF does not own anything in this video and uses it for educational purposes only. We make no money on this video. We will remove this video at the request of The Bible Project and its representatives. For more information about The Bible Project, go to their webpage.Quick Discussion Questions
- Did the videos help you see separation and confusion in your life? How?
- Where are you experiencing separation from someone or confusion about what to do because you're not trusting your True Source and his Path for you? What is one thing you can do to trust Him in that situation?
Truth #4
"'You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.' Why did he say this? Well, God wanted us to be creatures with choice or free will. He wanted us to choose relationship with Him, but that also meant we had the option to reject him altogether. This command to not eat from that specific tree set up the choice he wanted us to have. Would Humanity trust our True Source, choose relationship with him, and refuse to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil or would we choose another path?"
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Spend a few minutes and watch this video from the Bible Project. Then, continue below.
Every man faces moments of testing in their life. Moments where the stakes are high, and the cost of failure is unbearable. Sometimes, these moments of testing feel cruel or unfair. Still, in these moments, we learn what we are capable of as men- where we answer the question, "Do I have what it takes to prevail in the test?"
This moment in Genesis 3 was no different. God tested humanity to see if we would choose to trust him or go our own way. It was an opportunity for humanity to see that "Yes, we can prevail in the test!" Instead, we chose our own path, and it ended in tragedy. But that test was not the only one; every day, we can choose God as our True Source. When we do, we prevail and learn the strength we have rooted in our true identity. But, we can only know that if we choose to engage in the tests God asks us to step into and go to him as our guide on HOW to prevail. Here's a practical example of a "test" like this from the Hartenstein's story- a "test" from a father to his son.
Chris' Perspective (The Tester)
When they were younger, I (Chris) pushed our kids in a few ways. I wanted to teach them they had what it took, so we did things that "tested" their limits. I always prayed about each "test" before we did them because my sons were in different places emotionally, mentally, and physically. One "test" I looked into was rock climbing. Jared, being the youngest and still very much developing physically, was my biggest concern. I wanted to make sure the activity fit where he was at; it needed to be challenging, yet not so much so that failure was inevitable or it would scare him off. None of us had ever climbed before, so when my kids and I decided to do this, I knew we would need someone to mentor us- someone who had walked the "rock climbing path" and could lead us well. We needed a reliable source that could be our "True Source" for the adventure ahead. I found a local gentleman who led novices on rock climbing expeditions in the Red River Gorge, Kentucky. We were all nervous when we arrived at the Gorge, but as our "True Source" talked us through the climbing process, we settled in, asking him questions and following his lead. There was a moment when Jared really struggled. As I prayed for him, I wanted to tell him what to do, but quickly realized I had to let him listen to the "True Source." My job was just to remind him, "You have what it takes, son!" He listened to our rock climbing mentor, trusted his voice, and made it through the climb! It was a wonderful experience. By the end, we all climbed a 60-plus foot cliff and repelled down 100 feet. It may not be much to a pro, but it was an epic adventure for us! I was so proud of the boys- their efforts and growth. None of us came home the same people that day. I was a better dad, and my sons believed even more that they had what it takes.
Jared's Perspective (The Testee)
When Dad suggested rock climbing in Kentucky, I (Jared) wasn't in the best physical shape. At the time, I was a pudgy kid with some muscle from football, but I wasn't a prodigy in athleticism by any means. The idea of rock climbing IN THE WILD made me nervous. It felt like an immense test. But I trusted my dad enough to step into it. I still remember my first climb. I got about halfway up our thirty-foot mark; the next handhold was tricky, and I feared falling if I tried to reach it. My hands ached from gripping the rocks. The jagged edges tore into my fingers. My legs shook with fatigue and fright. I pressed my forehead against the rock, tears in my eyes. You can't do this. You're too fat. You're not strong enough. Just give up, I thought, The test is too hard. I just wanted to be done. But the voice of our rock climbing mentor (our "True Source" for the day) broke through. The mentor, kind in his tone, asked me to focus on his voice. I knew I had to listen and trust him if I was going to overcome this test. I fought against my fear and listened. He walked me, step by step, through the rest of the climb. I battled through constant fear and self-doubt, but I chose to believe I had what it took to reach the top. When I did, a cry of celebration rang from the ground. I had overcome the test! It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless. On my return to the ground, I wasn't the same person I was when I started. I was more confident in what I could do and who God made me to be- enough to continue to the 60-foot climb and 100-foot repel.
Quick Discussion Questions
- Have you ever faced a "Test" as we explain it above? What happened? Did you prevail? Or did you struggle?
- What "test" are you facing right now that you're struggling with or avoiding? How can you go to your True Source to help you prevail in the test?
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