Breaking Ground
What do you consider to be your greatest strength or skill? Why?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our series 12 Words, in which we’re using the 12 Steps as a tool for experiencing Christlike transformation.
In particular, we dove into Step 1: “We admitted we were powerless over ______ & that our lives had become unmanageable” & the spiritual principle of accepting we’re powerless.
How do you respond to this step & the idea that you’re powerless? How does that make you feel? Is this what our world teaches us to believe?
Why do you think this step begins with admitting that we’re powerless over one, specific uncontrollable thing before moving to the broader admission that, in reality, we’re powerless over everything in our lives?
Next, read 2 Corinthians 11:16-30. Here, we find Paul responding to attacks from these figures called the Super Apostles by engaging in boasting; which was an ancient practice of promoting one’s strengths, successes, or achievements in order to prove why you’re more worthy than a rival or opponent. However, what he includes would be the exact opposite of what someone in his culture would expect to find in a Roman boast. That is, he lays out a list of experiences that revealed his powerlessness.
What sorts of things does Paul list here? Do you feel like you would be able to lay out your failures, defeats, & weaknesses so openly & publicly? Why or why not?
Next, read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Here, Paul reveals why he believes this is possible. That is, he believes that we can admit our brokenness, weakness, defeatedness & powerlessness because, in Christ, grace can transform such experiences into the painful, but necessary, pathways of ego death that we must undergo in order to truly surrender to God’s will & healing.
How do you respond to the idea that brokenness, weakness, failure, & defeat are necessary pathways that we must undergo to truly surrender to God? How does this change the way we think about these experiences in our lives?
Why is powerlessness the necessary first step in spiritual transformation? Why must we admit that we’re powerless in order to truly heal & change? What happens if we don’t?
What have you been trying to control in your life that all evidence reveals, in reality, that you can’t? How has this attempt at controlling the uncontrollable impacted you & those around you?
To close, have each person reflect on the fundamental question of this first step by completing the following statement: “I admit that I’m powerless over ______ & that my life is unmanageable.” Invite them to share as much or as little about this admission that they feel comfortable. Offer encouragement & support as needed.
Getting Out of the Hole
In this series, take time each week to reflect upon the Step & Word that we covered in the Sunday sermon.
- Reflect on this first step & word. Where do you need to admit that you’re powerless? Consider people, events, circumstances, patterns, habits, or addictions.
- What experiences from your life reveal this to you? What evidence exists that you are truly powerless over this particular thing?
- How might that admission of powerlessness help you accept & surrender this part of your life to God?
- Close by praying & asking God to help prepare you to fully surrender this part of your life. Ask for His presence, guidance, & healing as we head into the rest of this series.
Additional Resources*
TheBibleProject.com
Breathing Under Water by Richard Rohr
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous by Bill W
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, May 18th: Join us next Sunday as we continue our series 12 Words!
* Please see mye3.org for details.