1) Share some of your precious achievements of the past which you have cherished for a long time? What qualities of your self contributed towards your success?
2) Do you carry some ‘setbacks’* that constantly nag & keep coming back to you & how you always wished to see an end of it? How do you feel when you are reminded of it? ( encourage the group to share a weakness-or a ‘bent’ that they may be carrying, be careful to differentiate between a habitual sin & weakness )
3) Read Luke 9:58, 14:25-28. Discuss your experience when you walk in the world around you as a Christian. What does it require of you to follow Christ & yet relate with the world around?
· May face difficulties, struggles
· May cast burden on us, make us weary.
· Can strain relationships
· We may be walking with pretensions
4) If we feel like following Christ can be a constant struggle & challenge, what can it do to our hearts
· We may loose Joy
· Become gritty
· We may become bitter
· We may loose courage
· other
5) Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-6. What mountain top experience is Paul mentioning in vs. 2-4? How does he view achievement?
6) In contrast to our achievements & experiences in our own life we may have various ‘setbacks’ which we would have never wished for, (refer to discussion on question #2) what nature of suffering is Paul talking about in vs. 7? What Godly purpose do we see in Paul’s ‘Thorn in my flesh’? (Also read Galatians 4:13-15)
7) Paul approach God 3 times for the suffering to be taken away from him. How do we approach God over our weakness? What change in perspective over our weakness can we see from 2 Corinthians 12: 9?
8) Look for scriptures across the Bible where God looks for weakness over strength. Rediscover the hidden strength of the Lord in our weakness, as we realize the purpose behind it.
9) We realize that it is indeed not easy to be a true follower of Christ. There are bound to be conflicts, pressures & struggles. Many times for some people, emotional suffering is more painful than physical ones.
Pray to the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth that lies in our understanding over our weakness, which actually is our strength, vice versa. Pray for any pride or boasting that we may be carrying in our flesh. Pray for each others needs especially for finding joy, releasing oneself from struggle & bitterness, gaining Godly courage even when we are going through difficulties.
