How Do We Balance Our Expectations of Life, Ourselves, Our Future While #BiblicalAdulting?

Discussion Questions:

• What are some expectations you have for yourself? (Make a List)
  • …for your future?
  • Where did they originate?
  • When did they come about?
• How do you feel about your expectations? (Positively or Negatively?)
  • Why?
• Synonyms for Expectations:
  • Apprehension, design, belief, assumption, dependence, destiny, parameters
• More Discussion questions after scriptures

Related Scriptures (NIV):

• Proverbs 11:7 (On expectations placed on man)
  • “Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing.”
• Luke 12:15-21 (On expectations of financial success/security)
  • “Then he said to them, ‘watch out! Be on our guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’
    And he told them this parable: ‘the ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘what shall I do? I have no place to store my crops?’
    Then he said, ‘this is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘you have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’
    But God said to him, ‘you fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
    This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.'”
• Luke 12:22-32 (On worry)
  • “Then Jesus Said to His disciples: ‘therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more that food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
    Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you — you of little fait! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
    Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Gather has been pleased to give you the kingdom.'”
• James 3:2a (On perfectionism)
  • “We all stumble in many ways.”
• Proverbs 13:12 (Hope vs expectations)
  • “Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    But a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”
• Proverbs 10:28 (Difference where expectations are founded)
  • “The prospect of the righteous is joy,
    but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing”
• James 1 (On knowing oneself)
  • https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1&version=NIV 
• Psalm 62:5, 8, 9, 11-12
  • “Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from Him”
  • “Trust in Him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.”
  • “Surely the lowborn are but a breath,
    the highborn are but a lie.
    If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
    together they are only a breath.”
  • “One thing God has spoken,
    two things I have heard:
    ‘power belongs to you, God,
    and with you, Lord, is unfailing love.’;
    and, ‘you reward everyone
    according to what they have done.'”
• Proverbs 3:5-6 (On where to put your trust for the future)
  • “Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
    in all your ways submit to Him,
    and He will make your paths straight.”
• Psalm 19:7-11 (Where to go for guidance)
  • “The law of the Lord is perfect,
    refreshing the soul.
    The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
    The precepts of the Lord are right,
    giving joy to the heart.
    The commands of the Lord are radiant,
    giving light to the eyes.
    The fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever.
    The decrees of the Lord are firm,
    and all of them are righteous.
    They are more precious than gold,
    than much pure gold;
    they are sweeter than honey,
    the honey from the honeycomb.
    By them your servant is warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.”

Further Discussion:

• Look back at the list you just wrote about your expectations:
  • What does/doesn’t the Bible say about those expectations we have on ourselves?