Integrity — Living Whole
Sunday, May 31, 2026
Big Idea
Integrity isn't about being perfect. It's about being the same person everywhere.
Hook — Two-Faced
Ask: "How many of you act differently at school than you do at home? Different around your friends than your parents?"
Hand goes up for everyone. "That's normal. But here's the question: who is the REAL you?"
Reference social media: "On TikTok you're one person. In a group chat you're another. At home you're another. In church you're another. How many versions of you exist?" The word for this is compartmentalization — cutting your life into boxes so no one sees the whole picture. It's exhausting and it's lonely.
Scripture — Psalm 139:23-24 and Proverbs 10:9
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Proverbs 10:9
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
- Psalm 139:23-24 — David wrote this. David — the king, the warrior, the man after God's own heart — is asking God to expose him. Not because he thinks he's perfect, but because he wants to be whole. He doesn't want hidden corners. Ask: "Would you pray that prayer? 'God, show me the parts of me that are fake'? That's terrifying. But it's the only way to become real."
- Proverbs 10:9 — This isn't a threat — it's a promise and a warning. Living divided takes energy. Living whole gives you peace. And eventually, the mask slips.
Connect — The Picture of Dorian Gray
Dorian Gray is young and beautiful. A portrait is painted. He makes a wish: stays young forever, painting ages instead. It works — but every time he does something corrupt, the painting gets uglier while he stays flawless. He hides it in the attic. No one can see what he's really becoming.
The parallel: We all have a "painting in the attic" — the version of ourselves we hide from everyone. Social media is our public face. Group chats are our semi-private face. The painting is who we are when no one's watching. The question is: will you let anyone see it?
Dorian's story ends in destruction because he refuses to face what he's become. David's story ends in redemption because he says "search me."
Cancel culture: People get "exposed" for old tweets or hidden behavior. The world loves exposure. God offers something better — not exposure for shame, but searching for healing. When God "searches you," it's not to cancel you. It's to make you whole.
Land the Plane
"Integrity means you're the same person on Monday morning that you are on Sunday morning. Not because you're perfect, but because you don't have anything to hide. That's not easy — it's terrifying. But it's the only way to actually be free. You've spent 7 weeks learning about the story, the Father, truth, Jesus, the Spirit, the church, and the future. Now: will you live like you believe it?"
Discussion Questions
- What's one area of your life where you feel like you're wearing a mask?
- Would you pray "search me, God"? What are you afraid he'd find?
- What's one thing you can do this week to be more authentic — more real?
Handout
One Thing to Remember: Integrity isn't about being perfect. It's about being the same person everywhere.
The Painting in the Attic
In The Picture of Dorian Gray, the painting shows who Dorian really is — while his face stays young and perfect. The painting gets uglier every time he does something corrupt. He hides it so no one can see. We all have a "painting in the attic" — the version of ourselves we hide.
Exercise: How Many Versions of You Exist?
Be honest. Fill in who you are in each context — not who you want to be, but who you actually are:
- Instagram / TikTok / Social Media —
- Group chat with friends —
- With my parents —
- At school —
- At church —
- When no one is watching —
How many different versions did you write? Are they all the same person?
Exercise: The Search Me Prayer
David prayed: "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." That's a dangerous prayer. It invites God to show you what you've been hiding. Would you pray this right now?
Exercise: The Mask Chart
Integrity means the same person shows up everywhere. Where are you wearing a mask? Pick ONE mask. What would it look like to take it off this week — just in one small way?
Exercise: Cancel Culture vs. God's Searching
The world loves to "expose" people. When God "searches you," it's not to cancel you. It's to heal you. What's the difference between being exposed and being searched?
This Week's Challenge
Tell one person ONE true thing about yourself this week — something you normally hide. Not for shock value. Just to practice being real.
End of Semester Reflection
You've spent 8 weeks learning about: The Story We're In, The Father Heart of God, What Is Truth, Who Is God, Who Is Jesus, Who Is the Holy Spirit, The Church & The Future, Integrity.
- Which topic hit you hardest? Why?
- What's one thing you'll carry forward from these 8 weeks?
- What's one thing you're still wrestling with?
Reflection Guide
Core Question for Reflection
If someone followed you around for one full week — school, home, social media, church, alone time — would they recognize the same person in every setting?
Questions to Help You Dig Deeper
- How Many Versions of You Exist? — How many different versions did you identify? Which version is closest to the real you? Which one feels most like a performance?
- The Painting in the Attic — What's in your "attic"? What's the part of you that nobody gets to see? What's the difference between being exposed by the world and being searched by God?
- "Search Me, God" — When you read Psalm 139:23-24, what was your gut reaction? Comfort? Fear? Resistance? Are you more afraid of God seeing your hidden parts, or other people?
- The Last Eight Weeks — Which week of this series hit you the hardest? Is there anything you learned that you're still not sure you believe? What's the gap between what you say you believe and how you actually live?
Personal Application
Choose ONE concrete action:
- Tell one person ONE true thing about yourself this week — something you normally hide
- Pray Psalm 139:23-24 once a day for a week and write down anything that comes up
- Pick one "mask" and commit to not wearing it in one specific situation this week
- Write a letter to yourself about who you want to be — the real version, not the performing version
End of Semester Reflection
Which topic hit you hardest? What's one thing you'll carry forward? What's one question you still don't have an answer to? Write it down and come back to it in three months.
Journal Prompt
You've spent eight weeks going deep. If you could tell yourself on Week 1 one thing you know now, what would you say?