Rules of Engagement - #3 Honor God's Name

Icebreaker

What's one thing people assume about you based on first impressions that's totally wrong?

Discussion

1. You Carry God's Breath

Scripture: Genesis 2:7; Psalm 139:13-16

From the very beginning, God personally breathed His life into humanity. That means you carry His name, His character, His reputation—not because you earned it, but because He made you. That's both a privilege and a responsibility.

Discussion starter: Where do you feel the tension between wanting God's identity ("I follow Jesus") but struggling with the responsibility of representing Him well?

2. The Gap Between What We Claim and How We Live

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16; James 3:1-12

People watch our lives and draw conclusions about what God is like. When there's a gap between what we say we believe and how we actually live—our words, our reactions, our priorities—we paint a distorted picture of God. And that matters because over 80% of people have no problem with God, but a huge problem with Christians who misrepresent Him.

Discussion starter: Think about your closest relationships or daily interactions—what do they reveal about what you really think of God?

3. Stop Using God to Justify Yourself

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:16-22; James 4:1-10

It's easy to attach God's name to our own desires: "God wants me to be happy," or "God told me..." when really, we just want it. That's not following God—that's using Him. Honoring His name means aligning our will with His, even when it costs us something.

Discussion starter: Is there an area in your life where you might be saying "God wants this" when you really just want it?

Prayer Prompts

• What are you celebrating this week?

• What are you praying about this week?

• Pray for transformation: Ask God to show you where there's a gap between what you claim and how you live. Pray for the courage to close that gap—for yourself, for unity in this group, and for others in your life who are watching to see what God is really like.

Closing Reflection

Your life is the paintbrush God is using to paint a picture of Himself to a broken world. Not perfectly—but honestly, consistently, intentionally. Let's go live in a way that honors His name this week.