Fellowship Guide 10

FELLOWSHIP 10

Jars of Clay

2 Corinthians 4:7-10

“7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”

Opening

Break off into groups and have groups share about any major injuries they’ve experienced and the extent of it. Then bring it together by having volunteers share from their groups.

Applying the Word

Share verse 7. Ask why the Bible would compare our bodies to being like jars of clay. (weak, temporary, constantly being molded through life)

Relate physical injuries to things we’ve been through emotionally, spiritually and discuss how often these internal injuries are worse than getting injured physically. Share your own major trial or difficulty you have experienced in life.

Go through the rest of this passage, verses 7-10. Relate the words in passage - hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted to experiences we’ve gone through in describing our feelings during big trials in life. Emphasize contrasting statements in passage (pressed but not crushed, etc.) to relate things we’ve gone through to things we haven’t.

Lead up to the main point in the lesson of why we’re pressed but not crushed - power of God within us.

Briefly remind group of how Jesus came down from Heaven to be a sacrifice on the cross for our sins. He wasn’t guilty of anything but the weight of our sins was put on Him. When he died and was buried, did he stay dead? No! He proved He is God Himself because He rose from the dead! Not a sealed tomb or any soldiers or the power of death could contain His power and might. That same power and might exists in all people who believe in the Lord and have allowed Him to be King of their lives. That same resurrection power that raises the dead to life, that heals all sorts of diseases, that has the ability to forgive sins exists in all believers. Draw upon that power at all times, not just through hard times, and will witness glorious things only God is capable of.

Closing

Close with reminder of the Israelites and the Red Sea. In the Bible, it tells the history of the Israelites and how God delivered them from Egypt. As the Egyptians are chasing the Israelites down, the Israelites come to the Red Sea. On one side are mountains, in front of them is the Red Sea, behind them is the Egyptian army. From the looks of things the Israelites are as good as dead. But with the hand of God on their side, He goes and splits the Red Sea to allow His people to go across and then allows the sea to come down upon the Egyptians. Some of us may be going through things where we feel like we’re as good as dead and we look around to see our enemies coming behind us and we feel trapped. Remember that when God Almighty is on your side, He always will always be there.