Bible Study

Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “With Christ I can overcome all obstacles.”

In this activity we are going to identify and discuss a few of the obstacles that we overcome in Christ.   

Have the children look up and read the verses aloud. Lead a discussion with the questions listed below.

Read Hebrews 4:14–16:

¹⁴ So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.¹⁵ This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin.¹⁶ So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

• What are the obstacles this passage talks about? Testing or trials, weaknesses, sinning, needing help with anything.
• How can Jesus understand what help we need to overcome obstacles like temptations, testing, and human weakness? While He was on Earth as a human, He faced everything that we do.
• In verse 16, what can we do when we face these obstacles and need help? Come boldly to God’s throne in prayer.
• In verse 16, what can we count on to help us endure and overcome? Mercy and help.

Read 2 Corinthians 12:5–10:

⁵ That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses.⁶ If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message,⁷ even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. ⁸ Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.⁹ Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. ¹⁰ That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter describing an obstacle that he dealt with in his life. We are not sure what he meant by a thorn in the flesh, but he prayed to the Lord for relief from it.  

• What was the Lord’s answer to Paul’s prayer? His grace - His help was sufficient to overcome.
• What did Paul feel was the purpose of the obstacle in his life and why Christ didn’t completely remove or destroy it? To keep him from being proud; to keep him humble and needing help from Christ to have victory over the obstacle.
• Why would Paul want to be weak in his own ability? To have Christ’s strength and power work in him.
• Do you think it would be difficult to have the attitude of Paul in verse 10 about the obstacles that you will face in life? Why or why not?
• Deeper discussion: Discuss how Paul had victory or overcame the obstacle in his life even though it wasn’t completely removed. Are there some things we must pray to overcome daily?

Read John 14:27–28a: 

²⁷ “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.²⁸ Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again.

• What do you think the obstacle Jesus was talking about that the disciples would face? Anxiety, fear, disappointment, being alone.
• What did Christ give them as a gift to help them overcome the obstacle? His peace in their hearts and minds.
• How do you think the peace of Christ is different from the peace of the world? Not based on outside things or feelings, it never ends, and no one can take it away.
• Have you ever felt alone, troubled or fearful? How can Jesus’ peace help us when we feel that way?
• How can knowing that Jesus is coming back to Earth again comfort us in the midst of any problems we may face?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:56–57:

⁵⁶ For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.⁵⁷ But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

• What are the obstacles this passage talks about? Sin and death.
• What is the result of sin? Death.
• How do we overcome or have victory over sin and death? Faith in Christ Jesus who overcame or defeated sin and death on the cross.

Close in prayer: Thank You Jesus for making us overcomers, no matter what obstacles we face, even sin and death! In Your name we pray, Amen.