In Weakness and in Strength

DOWNLOAD the 'Open Your Heart' small groups resources (PDF)

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer, “What do weakness and strength mean to you?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read 2 Corinthians 12:2-10.

Discussion Questions

The theme for today is “Open Your Heart: In Weakness and Strength”

• Have you needed someone else’s help? How did you feel?
• Have you helped someone in great need? How did you feel?

Paul talked about being caught up in the “third heaven” and his being taken up into the heavenly realms where he heard things he kept to himself (2 Corinthians 12:2-4).

• Do you believe it is important to keep some spiritual things or blessings between you and God? Why or Why not?

Paul describes a "thorn in the flesh" given to him by God (2 Corinthians 12:7-8).

• Why do you think God allowed Paul to keep struggling with the painful thorn, even after Paul pleaded three times for it to be removed?
• What are your thoughts on the world’s meaning of wealth and riches versus God’s meaning?

Paul in this text says he is content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for the sake of Christ.

• How is it possible to be "strong" when you are "weak"?
• Have you ever felt strong when you were insulted, faced hardships, or were lied about? How did you stay strong?

The Preaching Notes say, “Notice too that this thorn doesn’t come from God. God doesn’t cause suffering to get us to pay attention or to change our ways or our thinking—despite what some loud voices in our world today are trying to tell us. Suffering isn’t punishment. But God can use any occasion, any circumstance, to help us grow and learn, if we pay attention, if we ask in humility what we could learn.”

• Are there “some loud voices in our world today” that influence our thinking? How might you be able to stop those voices from influencing you?
• This week, in which area of your life do you want to grow and learn?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Prayer: Great and mighty God, help us understand the meaning of being strong even when we are weak, to persevere and stay strong when we are persecuted. Bless us to have joy in our suffering because your grace is sufficient. Amen – We believe it to be so!

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Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand epitomizes grit and leadership excellence, showcasing unwavering commitment and a tireless work ethic across corporate, faith, and governmental realms. She is an acclaimed author, a sought-after speaker, and the recipient of the 2021 Harry Denman Award. She is a wife, mother, author, and consultant; and most important, she loves Jesus.