Empowered 2 ActEmpowered 2 ActLesson 1: Empowered by God’s Lesson 1: Empowered by God’s

WordWordEmpowerment is not Empowerment is not found from within a found from within a person, but rather person, but rather from God and His from God and His Word.Word.

Being empowered Being empowered means seeking God’s means seeking God’s commands and commands and glorifying Him in our glorifying Him in our decisions.decisions.

Providing the FoundationProviding the Foundation

Take a look at these Take a look at these pictures.  Rank pictures.  Rank these people these people according to their according to their power.power.

GoalsGoals

• Real strength comes from God.Real strength comes from God.

• God’s Word provides direction.God’s Word provides direction.

• Motive must be focused on glorifying God.Motive must be focused on glorifying God.

• God’s plan for your life is the best.God’s plan for your life is the best.

• God provides forgiveness when we fail.God provides forgiveness when we fail.

DiscussionDiscussion

What do the following book titles have in What do the following book titles have in commoncommon: Lose Thirty Pounds in Two Weeks: Lose Thirty Pounds in Two Weeks, , How How to Meet Your Perfect Matchto Meet Your Perfect Match, , Six Steps to Six Steps to Becoming a MillionaireBecoming a Millionaire, and , and Organizing Your Life Organizing Your Life for Successfor Success??

DiscussionDiscussion

Why are self-help guides so popular today? Why are self-help guides so popular today?

DiscussionDiscussion

What methods are incorporated by What methods are incorporated by advertisers to convince you that you need advertisers to convince you that you need to buy their products? to buy their products?

DiscussionDiscussion

What does the word “empowered” mean to you? What does the word “empowered” mean to you?

DiscussionDiscussion

In many cases, the world tells you In many cases, the world tells you that you have the power within you, that you have the power within you, but you need to find it and release it. but you need to find it and release it. Once you have gained control over Once you have gained control over that ability, you have been that ability, you have been empowered. What are the truths and empowered. What are the truths and lies about this process?lies about this process?

DiscussionDiscussion

How is God’s empowerment different than How is God’s empowerment different than a humanistic empowerment? a humanistic empowerment?

DiscussionDiscussion

Compare and contrast these two Compare and contrast these two statements:statements:

A. God helps those who help themselves.A. God helps those who help themselves.

B. God has determined the course for our B. God has determined the course for our lives lives so we can’t do anything about it so we can’t do anything about it anyway.anyway.

DiscussionDiscussion

Is the concept of God empowering me just Is the concept of God empowering me just another way of saying I have no freedom another way of saying I have no freedom because God wants me to obey His laws? because God wants me to obey His laws?

DiscussionDiscussion

At times, I feel a lot of pressure to do sinful At times, I feel a lot of pressure to do sinful things. How is God’s empowerment going things. How is God’s empowerment going to help me avoid certain temptations? to help me avoid certain temptations?

Activity: Empowerment Activity: Empowerment PartnerPartner

Pick an “Empowerment Partner” who shares Pick an “Empowerment Partner” who shares encouragement from God’s Word with you. encouragement from God’s Word with you. Make a point to keep each other focused on Make a point to keep each other focused on glorifying God in your actions.glorifying God in your actions.