This week we are looking at a false narrative that attaches itself to virtuous people. It's not really much of a problem for people who struggle with a lot of vices. It is more of a problem for those who think they have overcome much of the sinful behavior of their past and who are endeavoring to move forward with living the good life. This false narrative is based on the idea that our value is based on what others think of us. It is about our need for our performance and appearance to be appreciated by others. This narrative says that unless we perceive others' value us we have no value. The truth is that we are valued by God in spite of our performance or appearance but this is often not the way we have learned to perceive of reality. The false narrative leads us to act in ways that we will receive the applause of others. In fact we begin to act, not out of a desire to do well, but out of a desire to be praised. It is an issue of wrong motives. This creeps into the way we give to others, the way we pray and even the way we fast. Jesus warns us that when we perform for the sake of vainglory (an old word for this sin) we will not receive any other reward than the immediate reward of the praise of people. Notice how this vice (vainglory) attaches itself to virtues. It makes it very difficult to do good things just for the sake of goodness. It is so easy for our desire for praise to creep in and taint our efforts. This is a common sin among good people and perhaps you recognize it in yourself. The Kingdom narrative is that we are valued in God's eyes no matter what we do; no matter how we look. Our value is not dependent upon our performance. When we do good things we can do them out of love for him, leaving the results to him. Questions for Discussion: 1. Slide 2-4. Discuss how positive reinforcement of good behavior is important, especially in children. When or how does the reward for good behavior become so important that the focus is on the reward rather than the behavior? What happens when we begin to determine our personal self-worth from the affirmations of others rather than from the Lord’s view of us? 2. In your own words can you describe the essence of vainglory? 3. Have you ever caught yourself doing some good deed not for the sake of helping others but for the prize of praise? If you are comfortable, talk about it with your group. 4. What are the rewards of vainglory? What are God's rewards? 5. How could you apply the Puritan saying to "live for an audience of One" to your spiritual practices? 6. Read Colossians 3:1 What does it mean to set our minds and hearts on things above? In the context of our discussion, why is this important?