Don't Drink the Poison Part 2

TALK-IT-OUT

Go through each main point and scripture from the message and use the corresponding questions in discussion with your group. Encourage your group to pull this post up on their own device to follow along.

DON'T DRINK THE POISON OF UNFULFILLED EXPECTATIONS

Matthew 11:2-6 (NKJV)
And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

TALK-IT-OUT: What stands out to you about this scripture OR what questions do you have about this scripture?

Likely John is feeling from prison as if Jesus did not live up to what John expected of him, because he is still in a dark, dirty prison after proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. 

TALK-IT-OUT: Can you relate to the feeling of being abandoned after you had done a lot for someone?

THERE ARE THREE COMMON TYPES OF UNFULFILLED EXPECTATIONS.

1. UNSPOKEN EXPECTATIONS

Jesus did not tell John that if he proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah then he will never face opposition or prison.

Unspoken expectations are commonly expressed in statements like this: "If they would have  _________, then I would be ___________."

For example, "If they would have helped me more, then I would be successful."

TALK-IT-OUT: Who in your life do you find yourself having the most unspoken expectations of? (This could be a boss, a spouse, parent, friend, etc.)

2. UNMET EXPECTATIONS

This occurs when someone says or does something to you that you feel is wrong and is short of your expectations of them. Some people become social poison drinkers. Every social interaction becomes an opportunity to share the poison of their offense. This then limits their ability to have positive conversations. 

TALK-IT-OUT: How can you steer a poisonous conversation in the right direction?

3. UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

We often have unrealistic expectations of people that we do not know enough about. For example, unrealistic expectations of a sports star, a pastor, a business owner, or a politician. We have expectations but lack understanding of what it would actually be like to do what they do. 

TALK-IT-OUT: Who do you find yourself having unrealistic expectations of?

TALK-IT-OUT: What is one practical thing you can do this week to limit the offenses caused by unfulfilled expectations in your life?