It’s time to start the sixth week of the study. We will be talking about chapter five – Transparency with Others.
Being transparent with others seems so violating at times. It might sound a bit dramatic, but have you ever felt like you just sold your soul when you shared something very personal and someone else took that bit of information and shared it with others? It can be a hurtful time.
God never intended for us to get hurt by being transparent. We are to love each other and see each other through God’s eyes. This means we hold others accountable to becoming the person God intended, as well as allowing others to hold us accountable. This can be hard. We don’t always like to hear the truth — especially when it involves change!
Transparency with others can be made more difficult when we try to compare and/or compete with those around us.
By trying to one-up someone else, it prohibits true openness. Getting to the place of contentment in our lives will allow the proper perspective of knowing who we are so we know how to tell others who we are: being transparent.
Even Jesus had different levels of transparency in His life. He had the multitudes where He would speak the truth. He had the 12 disciples and He had the 3 closest to Him: Peter, James, and John. This proves to me that we are not required to share all of our story to the multitudes. We might allude to some parts of our story, but the details might be reserved for our intimate 3 friends.
Let’s delve into what prohibits our transparency with others and what enables proper transparency. Most importantly, though, may we constantly lean upon the Holy Spirit each and every day to know with whom and how much information we are to share with others.
Don’t forget: questions will be posted in the comment section below.
Here’s your assignment for the week:
- Watch the video below.
- Answer the questions in the comments section. This is where we will communicate and grow together as a community.
- Return a couple of hours later to see what other comments were left and feel free to comment to others’ comments.
- Tell your friends to join you on this transparency journey.
- Read chapter 6 (our last chapter) and answer the questions at the end of the chapter.
- Pray. Pray that God will open your eyes to ways you can improve. Pray for others who are doing this study that God would work in their lives. Pray for personal revival in the hearts of all Christians and those who don’t know Jesus as their personal Savior.
© 2016 Susan M. Sims
Join the online Bible Study here every Thursday, June 16th – July 28th!
Follow me on Twitter or Facebook.
Buy the books here: Being Transparent: With Yourself, God, and Others and the Leader’s Discussion Guide
Question #1 – What first comes to your mind when you think about being transparent with others? Is it a positive experience or a negative one? How have your interactions with others affected your transparency?
Negative! I don’t like sharing my deepest, private thoughts, feelings & experiences! In general, I am transparent on a very surface level!
Mine used to be negative and shallow. After experiencin a true and deeper study with others, though, I log for true transparency. I constantly ask God when I should go deeper with others because they might not be ready for me to go deeper with them!
Question #2 – My struggle with perfection has affected my transparency with others because I didn’t want them to know I had failed and wasn’t perfect. Do you struggle with perfection? Or, what area in your life makes it difficult for you to admit to others that you’re struggling? In what ways can we overcome this struggle?
Of course, we don’t like others to see our mistakes or weaknesses! Again, like I’ve said in past weeks, I feel like I have to be the “strong one” for everyone & feel like I can’t let them see me struggle or see that I sm weak dometimes too!
Even in being the strong one, as long as we can cry out to God, as you alluded to earlier, you acknowledge your weaknesses to His strength.
Question #3 – Does selfishness inhibit transparency for you?
I don’t feel like it’s selfishness! Maybe pride?!
Agreed. Pride seems to be the root of a lot. Plus, sometimes I just don’t want people in my business. 😉
Question #4 – Murdering someone’s reputation is a major inhibitor of transparency. What did you think about Steve Kalas’ article? How do you trust others after they have hurt you and broken your trust?
It takes them a long time for them to earn back my trust! I will be kind and cordial to them but once they’ve burned that bridge, I kind of hold a grudge! Not in a mean way, just not going to put myself out there again with certain people! I guess it’s like they’ve lost the privilege of getting close to me again!
Yes, there has to be a healthy boundary so you’re not abused by someone else and their lack of boundaries. Praying for them has helped me see them in God’s eyes.
Question #5 – Does pride and self-reliance go hand-in-hand for you or are they two different issues?
Separate! I am very self-reliance & independent & I think it’s a good asset! But prideful is not something I’m proud of! I try to guard against it but sometimes it does come into play when it comes to being transparent! I think we all don’t mind people seeing/knowing our strengths but we try to hide our weaknesses/struggles!
For me, it depends on the circumstances. If I’m independent and others could help me, I might be taking away their gift of helping when they actually want to help. I do think it’s appropriate for us to carry our own stuff and not put it on others if unnecessary.
Question #6 – What impact has materialism had on your life now or in the past? Do you say it impacts your transparency with others in a positive or negative way?
No impact! I am not materialistic! The only thing someone might argue with me about that is that I do like fashionable clothes! Lol! But I always shop the clearance racks, Goodwill, consignment shops, etc. I like the challenge of dressing fashionably on a budget! P.S. Do you sell Lula Roe?
It has not been a struggle for me, but I’ve seen it impact others in such a sad way. No to Lula Roe, but yes to essential oils.
Question #7 – How has your prayer life impacted your ability to be transparent with others?
I try to pray & ask for guidance on when to be open & transparent and when not to! It can be tricky!
Amen!
Will you be doing one more video next week?
Yes, ma’am! One more week!