UNMASKED
GROUP FACILITATOR GUIDE
Helping People Move from False Identity to True Identity in Christ
INTRODUCTION TO FACILITATORS
Welcome to UNMASKED.
This is more than a Bible study.
More than a discussion group.
More than self-help.
UNMASKED is a transformational journey designed to help people:
- recognize false identities,
- understand the wounds beneath them,
- encounter the Gospel honestly,
- and rediscover their true identity in Christ.
- fix people,
- preach at people,
- dominate discussions,
- or become the expert in the room.
create a safe environment where honesty, reflection, healing, and transformation can begin.
The goal is not perfection.
The goal is authenticity.
THE HEART OF UNMASKED
The foundational belief behind this experience is simple:
Humanity has been hiding since Genesis 3.
Adam and Eve sinned…
and immediately covered themselves with fig leaves.
Shame created hiding.
And human beings have been sewing fig leaves ever since.
Some people hide behind:
- performance,
- achievement,
- religion,
- control,
- approval,
- success,
- emotional distance,
- or constant distraction.
The Gospel invites us:
out of hiding and into authentic life in Christ.
CORE FACILITATOR PRINCIPLES
1. SAFETY BEFORE TRANSFORMATION
People cannot heal where they feel unsafe.
Your first responsibility is creating:
- emotional safety,
- non-judgment,
- confidentiality,
- and compassion.
2. HONESTY OVER PERFORMANCE
Many participants will initially try to:
- sound spiritual,
- avoid vulnerability,
- intellectualize emotions,
- or hide behind humor.
Transformation begins where pretending ends.
3. DO NOT RUSH PEOPLE
Some participants may:
- cry,
- shut down,
- become defensive,
- or resist vulnerability.
Healing is a process.
4. LISTEN MORE THAN YOU SPEAK
Facilitators often talk too much.
Your job is not to dominate the room.
Your job is to:
- ask thoughtful questions,
- create space,
- and guide reflection.
5. THIS IS NOT THERAPY
UNMASKED can be emotionally powerful.
However:
- facilitators are not acting as licensed therapists,
- and should not attempt deep trauma counseling.
GROUP EXPECTATIONS
At the beginning of Session 1 establish:
Confidentiality
“What is shared here stays here.”
Respect
No mocking.
No fixing.
No shaming.
Honesty
Participants are invited to be real.
Grace
Everyone is in process.
IDEAL GROUP FORMAT
Recommended Group Size
6–12 participants.
Large enough for discussion.
Small enough for vulnerability.
SESSION LENGTH
75–120 minutes.
IDEAL FLOW
1. Welcome & Opening Prayer
5 minutes
2. Icebreaker / Check-In
10–15 minutes
3. Teaching Video or Reading
15–20 minutes
4. Group Discussion
30–45 minutes
5. Reflection Exercise
10–15 minutes
6. Prayer & Closing
10 minutes
FACILITATOR POSTURE
Participants do NOT need:
- another religious performer,
- another lecturer,
- another person pretending to have it all together.
- authenticity,
- compassion,
- wisdom,
- and emotional honesty.
6-WEEK GROUP OUTLINE
WEEK 1
THE FIG LEAVES OF SHAME
“Why Humans Hide”
Big Idea
Human beings have been hiding behind false identities since Genesis 3.
Key Scripture
Genesis 3:7–10
Focus
- shame,
- nakedness,
- hiding,
- false identity,
- fig leaves.
Discussion Questions
1. What masks do people commonly wear today?
2. Why do humans fear vulnerability?
3. What does “I am not enough” look like practically?
4. Which fig leaves do you personally recognize in yourself?
Reflection Exercise
Ask participants:
“What role do you tend to play when you feel emotionally unsafe?”
WEEK 2
THE PERFORMER & THE PLEASER
“Looking Good”
Big Idea
Many people build identity around approval and performance.
Key Scriptures
Luke 3:22
Galatians 1:10
Focus
- approval addiction,
- achievement,
- people pleasing,
- exhaustion.
Discussion Questions
1. How does performance culture shape identity?
2. What happens when approval becomes emotional survival?
3. Why is rest difficult for some people?
4. How does God’s acceptance challenge performance identity?
Reflection Exercise
“What would happen if you stopped trying to prove your worth?”
WEEK 3
THE CONTROLLER & THE CHAMELEON
“Being Right”
Big Idea
Fear often drives both control and conformity.
Key Scriptures
Proverbs 3:5
Romans 12:2
Focus
- control,
- fear,
- insecurity,
- adaptation,
- identity loss.
Discussion Questions
1. What fear often exists beneath control?
2. Why do people lose themselves trying to fit in?
3. How does insecurity shape behavior?
4. What does authentic identity look like?
Reflection Exercise
“Where do you struggle most to trust God?”
WEEK 4
THE ESCAPIST & THE LONE WOLF
“Avoiding Pain”
Big Idea
Many false identities exist to avoid emotional pain.
Key Scriptures
Psalm 34:18
Ecclesiastes 4:9
Focus
- emotional avoidance,
- isolation,
- distraction,
- loneliness,
- vulnerability.
Discussion Questions
1. What distractions do people use to avoid pain?
2. Why is vulnerability difficult?
3. How does isolation affect emotional health?
4. What does healthy connection require?
Reflection Exercise
“What emotions do you most avoid feeling?”
WEEK 5
THE RELIGIOUS MASK
“Pretending to Be Okay”
Big Idea
Spiritual performance can become another form of hiding.
Key Scriptures
Psalm 51:6
Matthew 23
Focus
- spiritual performance,
- hypocrisy,
- shame,
- fear of exposure.
Discussion Questions
1. Why is it easy to hide in church culture?
2. What is the difference between holiness and performance?
3. Why is honesty spiritually difficult?
4. What does authentic spirituality look like?
Reflection Exercise
“What part of yourself do you most fear exposing?”
WEEK 6
TRUE IDENTITY IN CHRIST
“Coming Out of Hiding”
Big Idea
The Gospel restores authentic identity.
Key Scriptures
Galatians 2:20
2 Corinthians 5:17
Romans 8:15
Focus
- crucified with Christ,
- adoption,
- authenticity,
- freedom,
- transformation.
Discussion Questions
1. What does it mean to live authentically in Christ?
2. What false identities are hardest to release?
3. What fears emerge when masks come off?
4. What would freedom look like practically?
Reflection Exercise
Invite participants to write:
“What identity is God inviting me to leave behind?”
FACILITATOR TIPS FOR DIFFICULT MOMENTS
IF SOMEONE DOMINATES
Gently redirect:
“Thank you for sharing. I’d love to hear from others too.”
IF SOMEONE BECOMES VERY EMOTIONAL
Do not panic.
Do not rush to fix them.
Allow space.
Show compassion.
Ask:
“Would you like a moment?”
IF SOMEONE SHUTS DOWN
Do not force vulnerability.
Safety creates openness over time.
IF THE GROUP BECOMES TOO THEOLOGICAL
Redirect toward application:
“How does this affect real life emotionally?”
IF SOMEONE CONFESSES DEEP TRAUMA
Listen compassionately.
Do not attempt therapy.
Recommend professional support if appropriate.
THE GOAL OF UNMASKED
The goal is not:
- behavior modification,
- perfectionism,
- or religious performance.
helping people come out of hiding.
Because the Gospel is not merely about making people religious.
It is about making people free.
FINAL FACILITATOR ENCOURAGEMENT
You do not need to be perfect to facilitate this journey.
You simply need:
- humility,
- honesty,
- compassion,
- and willingness to create safe space for truth.
Because people are exhausted from environments where everyone pretends.
UNMASKED invites people into something different: