Envy/Jealousy (Trapped Series)(Youth)

Announcements

Abbie will be a student leader

Games

Ice breaker Questions

Question: What is the name of Wendy’s dog in Peter Pan? Answer: Nana.

Question: Who trained Hercules to be a hero? Answer: Philoctetes/Phil.

Question: What is the name of the toy store in Toy Story 2? Answer: Al’s Toy Barn.

Question: How many brothers does Prince Hans of the Southern Isles have in Frozen? Answer: 12.

Question: What is the name of Andy’s neighbor in Toy Story? Answer: Sid.

Question: What are the names of Cinderella’s stepsisters? Answer: Anastasia and Drizella.

Question: What is the name of Ariel and Prince Eric’s daughter? Answer: Princess Melody.

Question: What does Hakuna Matata mean? Answer: No worries.

Question: Genie was stuck in the lamp for how many years before Aladdin found him? Answer: 10,000 years.

Question: Who is Mufasa’s trusted advisor in The Lion King? Answer: Zazu.

Question: Who is the fashion designer in The Incredibles? Answer: Edna Mode.

Question: What is the name of Belle’s father in Beauty and the Beast? Answer: Maurice.

Question: Who serves a Pinocchio’s conscience? Answer: Jiminy Cricket.

Question: Emperor Kuzco turns into what animal in The Emperor’s New Groove? Answer: Llama.

Question: What is Tarzan’s adopted mother’s name? Answer: Kala.

Question: Rapunzel’s chameleon in Tangled is called what? Answer: Pascal.

Question: Who said: “Fish are friends not food”? Answer: Bruce.

Question: What were Mickey Mouse’s first spoken words ever? Answer: Hot dog!

Question: Mowgli was raised by what animals in The Jungle Book? Answer: Wolves.

Question: What are the names of the little fox and the hound from 1981’s The Fox and the Hound? Answer: Tod (fox) and Copper (hound dog).

Question: Quasimodo was the bell-ringer of which famous cathedral? Answer: Notre Dame.

Question: In Monster’s, Inc., there’s nothing more toxic or deadly than what? Answer: A human child.

Question: Which character tells Buzz that he’s his father?  Answer: Zurg.

Question: Dory suffers from what? Answer: Short-term memory loss.

Game - Kickball

Lesson Summary

Summary – Envy will tell us things like: “You deserve more than what you have!” or “You won’t be happy until….”. Envy causes us to compare and compete with others in an unhealthy and ungodly way. It brings arrogance when we’re winning and discouragement when we’re not. According to James 3:16, it can lead to every vile practice. But envy doesn’t have to control us.

Main Idea – “Envy is when you count someone else’s blessings instead of your own.”

Prayer Point – Pray that our students would find such security in God’s call in their lives, that envy finds no place in their hearts. Pray that God would give them insight in the areas of their lives where envy wants to creep in, and that they would guard their hearts!

Small Group Questions:

What is the difference between envy and jealousy? What do they share in common?

Envy is every person’s problem—more or less. What are you most inclined to envy in others?

What currently triggers the strongest feelings of envy for you? Is it social media, work, family, or something else? Explain.

In an effort to decrease envy, who is someone you can celebrate, congratulate, or thank? How could doing that help?

Last Week Summary

Last week we talked about the dangers of comparison

The fastest way to ruin something good is to compare it to something else!

Tonight I want to talk about one of the specific dangers that comparison can pose and that social media can feed

Envy

Jealousy vs Envy

In the Bible, the words translated envy or jealousy are the same words

But there is a little bit of a distinction between the two

Envy - When we lack a desired attribute enjoyed by another

Envy is a two person situation and is a reaction to lacking something

I lack or wish I had his or her looks, abilities, material possessions, lifestyles, etc...

Jealousy - When something we already posses is threatened by a third person

Jealousy is a three-person/thing situation, and is a reaction to the threat of losing something or someone

Position at a job is threatened by a more charismatic leader

Your spot on the football team is threatened by someone who is faster and stronger than you

Your friend relationship is threatened by that cool person everyone wants to hang out with

Why do we Envy?

Dissatisfaction or Ungratefullness Focusing on what one doesn’t have rather than what one does have.

You ever heard the saying, “count your blessings?”

“Envy is when you count someone else’s blessings instead of your own.”

Proverbs 14:30 “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”

A healthy heart…one that is contented will give life, but envy will eat us up inside

Insecurity/Low self-esteem. An individual who do not feel good about their self often seeks significance in their circumstances rather than their true self

“Envy is a form of hatred built on insecurity.”

Pride. The false idea that one deserves a life filled with personal gain and satisfaction. It makes life more about you than about God.

You feel like life or maybe even God owes you something.

James 3:14-16 “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”

“The envious man stands in his own light. He thinks his candle cannot shine in the presence of another’s sun. Commentary

The word used for jealousy is often translated as “Zeal”

There can be positive forms of zeal, but the negative ones are translated as envy or jealousy

This kind of zeal seeks the best for oneself, regardless of what might be good for another person, always wishing for others to have less than oneself, whether with possessions or with opportunities.

Story of stuffing my brother in basketball

James explains this envy or jealousy can open the door to all manner of wickedness.

James leaves no room for people who seek their own glory within the church.

He links jealousy and selfish ambition to the demonically inspired false “wisdom.”

So how do you know if you are being envious?

Expressions of Envy (Enemy of Wisdom)

Resentment toward others. Being highly judgmental and critical of others.

Competition in relationships. An individual’s desire to be better than those around them.  Exhibition of a tendency toward overachievement or a superior attitude to others.

Lack of contentment. A constant desire for greater material gain and the belief that it will bring greater happiness.

Gossip about others. Constant verbal criticism of others.

What to do to fight envy

Develop a lifestyle of gratitude.  Think about what you do have and be grateful.

“What would it feel like, if when you woke up this morning, all you had left today, are the things you thanked God for yesterday?”

Avoid activities that encourage comparison. 

If being on social media feeds this obsessions with evny, then take a break from it or get rid of it completely

Pursue love

1 Corinthians 13:4 “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant”

Ask God to continually fill your heart with love

Envy cannot survive in a heart that is growing with love.

Envy is the opposite of the Gospel, because it makes life about us

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

https://www.pammorrisonministries.com/blog/guide-to-overcoming-envy/

https://thriveboston.com/counseling/envy-and-jealousy-information-on-overcoming-the-effects-of-envy-and-jealousy/