2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Three reasons why weakness is grace:

1. Weakness invites us to authenticity.
   

   • When I am honest and admit that I am weak, I draw near to grace.
     

2. Weakness protects us from pride.
   

   • We are idol making factories.
     

   • We fundamentally cannot experience God’s grace until we are in a posture of weakness.
     

   • God will use satan to defeat himself.
     

3. Weakness brings us into the sufficiency of grace.
   
   
   

   “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” —2 Corinthians 12:9a
   

   
   

   • God allowed Paul to suffer so that He would find Jesus sufficient.
     
     
     “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” —2 Corinthians 12:9b
     

   • Jesus sets up camp in my weakness.
     

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Discipleship Guide

Let’s Connect

• Have you ever experienced something painful that became a blessing later? Describe that experience.

Let’s Talk About It

We naturally assume that God’s grace comes to us through blessed circumstances. In 2 Corinthians, Paul describes a powerful encounter of God’s grace amidst unrelenting pain and suffering. No matter how much he prayed, this torment did not depart. One might assume that Paul was cursed, but Paul concludes the opposite. He says that he boasts in his weakness and even delights in it because through the suffering and pain he has experienced more of God’s grace. How could this be true?

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

• Which part of the message made an impact, caught your attention or challenged you?

• Please read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. Have you ever experienced a “thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan”—something that hurts that doesn’t go away with prayer? How did you react to it? How did it affect your view of God?

• Why does God give Paul this particular thorn? Why is conceit or pride so dangerous? How does suffering humble us?

• Reread verse 9. How do we come to know the sufficiency of God’s grace amidst our suffering? What does it mean that God’s power is “made perfect in weakness”? Give personal examples.

• In contrast to what Paul is describing in this passage, sometimes pain pulls us away from God instead of drawing us closer. What makes the difference?

• Paul insists on boasting of his weakness instead of his strength. How are our testimonies of weakness more relevant to the lost and broken than the boasts of our victories and trophies?

Take a Step

• What step can you take to live in a greater appreciation of God’s grace in your pain and suffering?

Here’s My Prayer

• Lord, thank You for Your grace that sustains me in trouble. None of my pain and suffering go unnoticed. I can trust You because You have never left my side during my time of trouble. Thank You for always being with me.