Reality Christianity

My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
II Corinthians 12:9a The Message


In our increasingly "virtual reality world," we often wonder what or who is real. Paul shows what it means to be real in II Corinthians, even when that means facing suffering, failure, criticism, and weakness. He reveals the truth that we can, with unveiled faces, radiate the glory of God to those around us as we embrace Jesus Christ and his power in our cracked lives. II Corinthians deals with the paradox of God's grace being sufficient (even activated) in our weakness.

"So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever." II Corinthians 4:16-18 The Message

Through this study, I pray you will:

• Increasingly know and love the real Christ, and relish and radiate Him.
• Increasingly know and love the real "you" and drop veils to reveal yourself to others.
• Increasingly embrace the reality that "real" ministry is through Christ's power in your brokenness and weakness.

This 13-week II Corinthians Bible Study is part of the Beholding-is-Becoming Series which reorients Christians to remember the truth of who they are and will become for the Kingdom of God. In Christ, God sees believers as His beloved. In His Spirit, they can fully, freely, and confidently behold Jesus Christ through Scripture and become more like Him. The Beholding-is-Becoming series connect people to the love of Christ through intelligent, intimate, and accessible Scripture studies using an integrated "head/heart/hands" rhythm with the following features:

• 10-minute daily devotional questions
• Discovery sheets for deeper, personal connection with Scripture
• Concise commentary
• Guides for teachers and small-group facilitators

Nancy speaks, teaches, provides soul care, and leads retreats. She is president of InSpero, Inc. which inspires Birmingham's creative community to bring beauty and hope to the city and its churches. She has a master's degree in theological studies from Beeson Divinity School, taught Bible Study Fellowship, and led her own communications firm