The Power of Healthy Boundaries

Boundaries are easy to see in the physical world: fences to define property, lines in the road to define lanes, and boundaries at a sporting event to define what is in and out-of-bounds. Physical boundaries are for our good, and for the good of those around us.

In our spiritual, relational, and emotional worlds, boundaries are just as real, but often harder to see. Establishing healthy boundaries increases our ability to love, interact, lead and care for others in a way that God is honored. It also empowers us to have healthy hearts and healthy relationships.

Join us for today’s episode where we dive in on the power of establishing healthy boundaries.

DISCUSSION GUIDE

If you could go back and relive one moment of your life, what would it be and why? If you had to forget one moment of your life, what would it be?

Scott mentions that healthy boundaries do two things. (1) They protect what belongs to us and what's under our care and concern. (2) They keep the wrong things out and the wrong people out. What are some examples of both of these purposes for setting up healthy boundaries? What do we need to protect? What do we need to keep out? Are what we need to protect and what we need to keep out related to either memory you would relive or forget?

Sometimes hindsight is the best teacher. Has there ever been a time when you wish you had set up a boundary that might have protected you or someone you care about?

After listening to the episode, on a scale of 1-10, how important did you think healthy boundaries were? Do your current boundaries, or lack of boundaries, reflect your answer?

Read Ephesians 5:15-17 | How can setting healthy boundaries with others help us to make the most of every situation as Paul is encouraging us to do?

It isn’t always natural for men to set boundaries. We don’t always think about them, and we end up in situations where we realize we need to set a boundary. Are there any areas in your life where you may need to set up a boundary to protect what is most important? What area is that?

Read Proverbs 4:23 | Setting boundaries cannot be an optional thing we do. It is something we HAVE to do. What specific boundary do we need to set in order to protect ourselves and those we care about?

Who can you ask in your life to help hold you accountable to the necessary healthy boundaries that you are going to set up? Maybe your wife, your roommate, your small group? Set up a plan to talk to them right now.

Many of us probably wish there was someone in our lives at some point who could have pointed out the need for setting a healthy boundary? Is there anyone in your life that might benefit from being told about the need to set healthy boundaries? Can you be the person to gently point them in the right direction?

What else from the podcast spoke to you?

What did God/Holy Spirit speak/prompt/say to you?  What’s God asking you to do?  What does He want to give you?  What does He want you to lay down?

RECOMMENDED BOOKS

• Boundaries, Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend

• 9 Things You Simply Must Do, Dr. Henry Cloud

• Boundaries For Leaders, Dr. Henry Cloud

• Necessary Endings, Dr. Henry Cloud

NEXT STEPS 

• Sign up for Men’s Retreat (October 18-20) at southland.church/men

• Join a Group at southland.church/groups

• For any other questions or comments email lockerroom@southland.church