We’re on week two of the study! Today we are going to learn about self-sufficiency. Open your bibles to John 15:1-11 and 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
In today’s cultural we are surrounded by self-sufficiency. We are always seeing things like, self-love, self-care, and self-help. No one else is enough so I will do things all on my own. Being independent is get, but there is a difference between the two. Independence is being free from outside control, not depending on another for livelihood, and capable of thinking or acting for oneself. Self-Sufficiency is needing no outside help in satisfying one’s basic needs or emotionally and intellectually independent. See the difference? We NEED Jesus. We cannot satisfy our own basic needs, but He can. We need His love, His strength, and His peace. We cannot do these things on our own.
Being self-sufficient looks differently for everyone. It can look like being vulnerable and not displaying weakness. We might want to ask for forgiveness for our behaviors by thinking we can modify them and be better the next time. We might avoid asking others for help in order to appear that we have everything together. Whatever it maybe it can lead to relying on ourselves and making it an idol. We can believe that life revolves around us which can lead to a daily denial that we need Jesus.
This effort can be exhausting. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own stuff that we forget that Jesus is supposed to satisfy us- not ourselves. We can grow exhausted from our efforts. The Bible reveals to us that we are not enough, but Jesus is. Romans 10:9 says, “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” If we try to look within ourselves for satisfaction and self-sufficiency we will always fall short. Thankfully we have a God who offers us fulfillment and abundant hope in Him.
Let’s discuss what we just read. I have some questions that I want you to think about, write them down, and if you’d like to comment below we can discuss them together!
- In what ways are you tempted to cling to the idol of self-sufficiency?
- How does it affect your relationship with God and others?
- How does the gospel free you from the need to be self-sufficient on your own?
When we read John 15 we saw that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. When we place our source in Him, we produce much fruit, but apart from Him we produce nothing. He is where we get our joy, our hope, our goodness. Pray and surrender from the idol of self-sufficiency. It is not a weakness, we are acknowledging our own limits. We cannot do it all-but He can. Jesus says that His power is perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). When we are tempted to fall into the lies that we can do things on our own, ask God to remind us of His Word.
I hope you enjoy this study and decide to come back. Tomorrow, we’ll learn about comfort and learn how it can become an idol. I hope you enjoy the beautiful sunset that was made by our loving Father and y’all have a wonderful night.