January 20, 2025

HOW TO BE "WE"

Don't Mind the Mess

Icebreaker:
In the winter, would you rather have gray skies and warmer temperatures or blue skies and colder temperatures?
Discussion:

1. Skim the couple of chapters before chapter 12. Read especially 11:1-15.
   1. Why did Paul have to defend his ministry?
   2. What are some things Paul names that he could "boast" about to prove his apostleship?
2. Review 2 Corinthians 12:1-10.
   1. Paul refers to a "thorn" in his flesh and his "weakness." Given what Pastor Jim said on Sunday or what you've read or heard elsewhere, what do you think this is? 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 refers to this weakness, as well.
   2. How do you think this thorn and weakness affected Paul?
   3. This thorn functioned as a "messenger of the accuser ('satan')." What might that message have been?
3. God's counter message to Paul, found in 2 Corinthians 12:9, was "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
   1. What does this mean?
   2. In what ways can God's grace be sufficient for us in weakness?
   3. In what ways is God's power made perfect in our weakness?

Application

1. What are some of your weaknesses that make you insecure?
   Leader/Facilitator Note: This might be a time when you could lead by example and share a weakness of yours that makes you feel insecure.
2. How do you see God's grace being sufficient for you in that weakness?
3. How can you see God's power being made perfect in that weakness? Maybe help each other with this. Sometimes it's hard to see it yourself.
4. How do these weaknesses hold us back from making healthy friendships in the church?
   
5. How can we overcome this?

Prayer
Take time to ask for personal prayer requests and pray for each other.