Session 1: Strong

AS YOU READ, LOOK FOR:

• God’s character.

• How you are seen by God.

• Biblical truths about strength in Christ.

STUDY

THINK IT THROUGH

Strength is a word that’s thrown out a lot in the sports world. We hear how we need to be strong physically, so we spend most of our free time in the weight room. We hear how we need to be strong mentally, so we shift our mindset and focus intently, especially when the game is on the line.

We like the fact that we are strong. We have a visceral competition with our opponents or even our teammates. We even pride ourselves in supporting ourselves when we get our own place and pay our own bills.

There’s satisfaction in being a strong, independent woman. Have you ever felt like a “boss,” after a game, workout or career move? Describe the memories you can recall from boss-like feelings.

Here’s a statement you probably weren’t expecting: There’s greater strength in surrendering.

Freedom comes when we throw off the weight we’re trying to carry on our shoulders and give it to God, letting Him be the one to do the heavy lifting. Let’s dive into what God says about gaining strength in surrendering to Him and His plan.

THE WORD

Go to the Bible tab and look at some key verses. Take 10 minutes to read the following verses and discuss what God is saying to you about strength. As you read through each verse, what are some characteristics of God’s strength?

There is strength in surrendering. In admitting we don’t have it all together, we can’t take on everything on our own. We need help, and that’s okay, because God is our great Helper, our refuge in times of need.

It’s a lonely place when we try to make a way on our own. We’re constantly being told that it’s desirous to be a strong, independent woman. But true strength is bending low to the God who gives us all we need to thrive. Look back at Zechariah 4:6. What can learn from God here?

God’s Spirit gives us strength to stand up to injustice, clothe ourselves in compassion, hold out a hand to the hurting and break down barriers for the sake of the Gospel. We are called to lean on God and let Him empower us to love Him wholeheartedly and to love the people He has placed in front of us like our teammates and coaches, and our church mentors.

Some of the most prominent people in the Bible are known, not for their own strength, wit or courage, but reliance on God.

For Jesus’ mother, Mary, strength was rooted in her gentleness and her willingness to obey and surrender to God. From carrying Jesus in her womb as an unwed mother to giving birth in the middle of the night and placing Him in a manger, to even watching her Son be persecuted and crucified on a cross, Mary trusted God and surrendered her plans to His.

And what resulted in Mary’s surrender? A plan that brought a Savior to the world.

Jesus lived His whole life in humility and strict obedience to His Father. Jesus, Creator of all things, existing as part of the Triune God, came down to earth in human form and followed a plan that led to His earthly death. Fully dependent on God’s direction and willingly placed His life in God’s hands, Jesus’ strength was in surrender. And what resulted in Jesus’ surrender? A heavenly reign that knows no end. See a pattern yet?

If you want to be known for your strength, start by surrendering to God. Dependence and communion with God are the greatest places to begin to build our spiritual muscles. Know that your value comes from God—He sent His Son to rescue you from insecurity, sin and any other enemy that tried to make you feel inferior. Standing firm in His love gives us the strength we desire to live our lives in love with those around us, no matter our situation.

When you look at the life other women are living, shift your gaze back to your blessings. Count them. Ask God to reveal how He has made and equipped you for the good things in His plan. Remember, it’s not what we do that makes us strong, but Whose we are.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

You are God’s beloved daughter. In His love, you are chosen, you are seen, you are enough. You are strong. Prepare yourselves for the strength God has in store for you by surrendering to Him today.

TEAM TIME

Application

1. What’s the difference between worldly strength and the Biblical strength?

2. Have you tried pushing through life on your own strength? How did that make you feel?

3. What are some roadblocks that keep you from submitting to God?

4. How can you apply God’s Word to better understand what strength in God means?

WORK IT OUT

Before the next session be strong in mind and memorize:

PRAYER

As we think about where our strength comes from and how we get it, remember these words as we close in prayer: