Comparison Trap (Trapped Series)(Youth)

Announcements

IceBreaker - Time Frame

Questions: 1. What year did the Pilgrims land on Plymouth Rock? (1620) 2. What year did Neil Armstrong land on the moon? (1969) 3. What year did Michelangelo finish painting the Sistine Chapel? (1512) 5. In what year did the Buffalo Bills lose their first Super Bowl to the New York Giants? (1991) 6. In what year was the movie “The Lion King” released in movie theaters? (1994) 7. What year did Johannes Gutenberg first use a printing press? (1439) 8. What year did the Civil War begin? (1861) 9. In what year did California become a state? (1850) 10. In what year was the Statue of Liberty completed? (1886) 11. In what year was the first World Series of baseball played? (1903)

Game - Kickball

Lesson Summary

Summary - One of the traps we can so easily run into with social media, but in life in general, is the comparison trap. We compare our “behind-the-scenes” with everyone else’s “highlight reel”, and it leaves us feeling like our life is inferior, boring, and unimportant. Don’t let comparison be the thief of your joy!

Main Idea - The fastest way to ruin something good is to compare it to something else.

Prayer Points - Pray that the students will let thanksgiving reign over comparison.

Small Group Questions:

What are some things in your life that you compare with others? (Whether it’s social media or in person)

Do you ever stress out because you don’t have the same personality, possessions, or opportunities that others have? Why do you think that is?

Is it entirely wrong to want to have what someone else has? Why or why not?

Why do you think it is easy to struggle with being content or thankful?

Sermon is not full....syncing messed up

Series Introduction

We are starting a new series this month called “Trapped.”

Social-media can be a great thing, but it also can come with a host of traps.

That’s because it often caters to some of our disorder desires and can inflame many of our insecurities…things like Comparison, Envy, Self-absorption, etc…

This month we will delve deeper into some of the traps of social media, that we need to be on the lookout for.

But this series is not just about social media, because the reality is, the things that we are going to be talking about are problems for many who aren’t even on social media…it’s just that social media can heighten these things

Our topic tonight is on Comparison

What are some things that we usually compare with other people…whether we are on social media or not?

Bodies

She eat’s junk food all the time, and yet stays so skinny....if I did that, I would gain 50 pounds!

He’s only in 9th grade and is 6’3” tall and is being scouted by the best college basket teams in the nation…and he doesn’t even train that hard.

Possessions

She wears brand name items I could never afford

I drive a honda civic, or don’t even have a car, and their parents bought them a mustang

Status

She’s not even that interesting and yet has so many more followers and likes than I do.

He’s only popular because his dad makes a ton of money and he can afford to buy cool things.

Relationships

She seems happy all the time with their boyfriend…when am I going to find someone? Or why am I not as happy as she seems.

Lifestyles

They travel the world trying new foods and going on adventures, I’m stuck working at Burger King 3 days a week.

Abilities

They are a much better singer, athlete, artist, etc…than I’ll ever be.

Whether you have ever made these specific comparisons or not, you have and do make comparisons with other people, whether it is on social media or not.

In a way it is just human nature

But why is comparison bad…you might say, “ok, so I make comparisons, whats the big deal?”

What people present to the outside world is usually an edited version of their reality.

How many of you when asked how you are doing have said “fine” when you were really upset or hurting?

"The reason we feel insecure is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlight reel."

You always see everyone else at their best and happiest

In movies, people’s lives always seem so much cooler than real life…that’s because it only highlights the fun stuff.

You ever notice you barely ever see the common every day stuff of a persons life movies

Grocery shopping

Mowing the yard

making dinner

Doing chores

It’s damaging to your sense of self

Comparing breeds feelings of:

Envy

Never satisfied with what we have, because we could always have more

The generation we live in today is the most anxious depressed generation of all time, and part of that is brought about to the comparions that are being made specifically on social media

Comparison is the thief of joy.—THEODORE ROOSEVELT

Joy in other people’s mifortune

We take pleasure in someone else's failures or misfortunes in order to feel adequate ourselves

It’s a losing battle

You never have enough (things)

You are never good enough (talents/abilities)

You can never be enough (relationships)

How To Overcome Comparison

Be aware of when you are comparing

Listen to the language you speak or think

Set limits on social media

If you start to realize that certain pages make you insecure, etc…unfollow them

Remind yourself about where your worth comes from

Part of what makes comparison so dangerous is our identities can be so wrapped up in the possessions and abilities we have.

We did a series on identity a couple of months ago…remember where your worth comes from

Thankfulness

Philippians 4:10-13 “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Salvation Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus I believe you're the son of God. I believe that on the cross you took my sin, my shame, and my guilt, and you died for it. You faced hell for me so I wouldn't have to go. You rose from the dead to give me a place in heaven, a purpose on earth, and a relationship with your father. Today Lord Jesus I turn from my sin to be born again. God is my father, Jesus is my savior, the Holy Spirit is my helper, and heaven is my home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sources

Source 1 - https://parentingteensandtweens.com/helping-our-tweens-and-teens-tackle-the-comparison-trap/

Source 2 - https://www.huffpost.com/entry/comparing-yourself_b_4441288