GRACE >: YOU CAN’T OUTRUN THE GRACE OF GOD

2 Corinthians 6:1-13

“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; and that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.”  Hebrews 12:15 ESV

OPENING: What is pain?  What types of pain can you think of?  How has pain impacted or changed your life?  In your life is pain > grace or is grace > pain?

TEXT: Read 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 in The Message and also in your preferred translation.

1. Paul starts this section by using the phrase, “working together with him.”  Paul is referring to Jesus. Does pain limit/prevent/remove us from working with God?  If so, how? Does working with God to bring salvation to people help us make God’s grace greater than our pain?  Read 2 Corinthians 1:4. What is this verse telling us about working with God in our pain?

2. In 2 Corinthians 6:8-10, Paul gives us a list of contrasting statements.  The first in each pair is a negative and the second is a positive. Paul is using these contrasting statements to show the difference of how we think when pain > grace and how we think when grace > pain.  Do you find a connection with the negative statements when you are experiencing pain? Do those terms match the internal conversation we have with ourselves during painful times? How do the positive statements help us make grace > pain?  Read 2 Corinthians 10:4-5. How do these verses help us? How do they apply? Read Romans 12:2-3. How do these verses help us? How do they apply?

3. Here is the list that Paul gave us to make grace > pain: purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, the power of God, weapons of righteousness.  Which of these is the easiest for you to understand and apply to help make grace > pain? Why? Which of these is the most difficult to apply? Why? Which do you think HCC does well in making               grace > pain? Which do we need to use more of?

4. Read 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 in The Message.  Has pain ever caused you to live your life smaller?  Have you seen pain cause others to live a smaller life?  Why does pain do that to us? Is it fear? Is it our need to control?  What does it mean to live openly and expansively? What does it look like in your life?  What does it look like in the life of a church? Imagine what the world could look like if ALL of Jesus followers lived openly and expansively and truly lived a lifestyle that showed that grace > pain.

5. DIG DEEPER: Read Ephesians 6:10-17 and 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.  How do these verses fit together? How do these verses help us make grace > pain?  How do these verses remind us that we cannot outrun God’s grace? How do these verses help us in sharing the good news of Jesus with those who do not believe?  What piece of armor do you need right now to help make grace > pain? Where is pain keeping you from being an ambassador of God and allowing Him to plead through you?

NEXT STEP: Acknowledge your pain.  Use the resources God has given you.  Use truth to overcome the lies. Begin to work with God.  Live openly and expansively towards people.