Recap

Have you recognized any of your own “planks,” or problems, over the past week? If so, then what steps did you take to grow as a person and become like Christ?

Main Thought

The popular saying “God helps those who help themselves” can be misleading. It might make us think that we need to use our God-given gifts to be “self made,” or to “pull ourselves up by our bootstraps.” We can try to do things in our own strengths] apart from God, but He’ll rarely help us when we’ve left Him out of the picture. Meanwhile, we often ignore or cover up our weaknesses. But God can give us the ability to excel in spite of our weaknesses. God helps those who help themselves, and God helps those who can’t help themselves! If we want God’s help in our strengths and weaknesses, then we need to come to Him in humility and faith for help.

Main Passages

...If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
- Philippians 3:4-7
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
- Luke 15:22-24

Discussion Questions

What can we learn about God based on the main passages above?
Have you ever done something in your own strength, only to realize that you ended up leaving Him out of the process? What happened? What did you learn?
Have you ever excelled or been successful in such a way that made you believe that God helped? What happened?

Apply:

Is there a specific, challenging area in your life right now? How can you come to Him in faith and humility for help?