​I am a man so I of course have an opinion on, and solution for any problem you have. Most women would agree that God has created men so that we are problem solvers. Women listen and comfort, (generally) and men jump up trying to save the day (typically). As we begin to realize that we are not in control of our lives, we also begin to see that we are not in control of anyone else’s life either. Our opinions do not clarify an issue unless we are offering it up from within God’s love and for His glory. We cannot solve someone else’s problems, we can only ask for the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom, and move in the life of our friend or loved one. 
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Is there someone in your life right now who you feel needs God’s guidance? 

How do you feel praying for the person might affect their situation? 
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How does knowing that God loves you and wants to help you change your view of prayer?

God has gifted us with free will. Every day we have the choice to choose life (living in God’s will) or death (sin).  This choice does not just affect us. When we choose to ‘live’ our friends, spouse, and children see our dedication to living a Christ-like life. They see how God moves in us and changes us to become His witness. Our dedication and faith becomes something that can inspire our children and shape their spiritual lives as they grow up. On the other hand, when we choose to sin they see that as well, and it too can change and shape their lives but rarely for the better. No matter how independent you may think you are, every action in your life impacts those around you. This impact often stretches beyond those we know to those whom we don't know, like ripples reflected in a pond.
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What does it mean to choose life over death to you?

How do you feel this impacts those around you?

Our pride cries out against the ideas of powerlessness and giving up control.  The more powerless we feel, the more we strive to take control; the more we try to take control the more we come to realize we have no control.  This turns into a maddening self-sustaining cycle of self-destruction. There comes a time when we need to turn to the only one who can defeat those things which try to cause us pain.
Name an area of your life you strive to maintain control over?
What do you think would happen if you turned this over to God?
What holds you back from giving this over to God?
 
Ask God to show you different areas of your life that you still need to release to Him.

Only by submitting to Gods’ power and confessing His authority in our lives can we truly know what it is to be alive. You think you have it all together? Do you believe that your strength can prevail where God's can't? The strongest part of your greatest ability at the top of your game does not come close to the very least God can do in your life. God wants us to be humble, which doesn't mean to think less of ourselves, but to think of ourselves less. Nothing has impacted me during my life so much as when I have leaned into God's grace and admitted to Him, "I can't do it. I'm not strong enough.". And through this admission, God in all of His power and authority moved in my life and provided for His child.

​Where have you turned when you encountered a problem beyond your ability?
 What do you think would happen if you trusted in God during these times?
 
Trusting in God and leaning into His strength does not mean sitting back and doing nothing. It means watching for God's guidance while moving forward and trusting He will take care of the details beyond your control. Ask God to show you some ways He has worked through your weakness.

I know Lord, that a person’s life is not his own.  No one is able to plan his own cause.  So correct me Lord, but please be gentle.  (Jeremiah 10:23-24)
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Correction is never pleasant because it means we have gone off course. In our daily lives out in the natural world, we often lose our spiritual focus and make decisions that are not based on Christ-like principles. This does not mean we are ‘bad Christians’ or that we should give up. When we accepted Jesus as our Lord and His sacrifice for our sins we gave our lives to Him. God’s purpose is now our purpose so when we drift from His will we need correction to bring us back to Him.

Think of a time you allowed your desires to dictate your actions. How did it affect other areas of your life?

Describe how God has corrected you in the past when you tried to live your life for your own purposes.

Can an Ethiopian change the color of his skin?  Can a leopard take away its spots? Neither can you start doing good, for you always do evil. (Jeremiah 13:23)

Until we stop trying to overcome the temptation to sin through our own power, we cannot allow God to begin His good work in us. We cannot do this without Him, the more we try the longer we separate ourselves from many of the blessings God has in store for us. We can do good deeds and choose not to sin in big ways, but we cannot control our thought life, or how our spiritual lives effect our natural lives. Only God can truly heal us from the damaging effects of sin, if we let Him.

What areas of your life have you tried to change without success?

Sometimes the biggest change we can make in our lives is letting go of control and letting God work. What areas of your life do you still try to control?

All have sinned, all fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23)
It is necessary for us to come to terms with this one important fact. We can never be worthy of God’s love through our own efforts. Even our good deeds are an extension of our own selfishness. If we could become worthy of His love through our works alone, Christ’s intersession and sacrifice would not have been needed. God’s grace IS, unmerited favor. We do not deserve it, but God loves us so much He paid the price of our sins. He did this so we could come into a relationship with Him. We should always strive to reach God’s standard even though it is an unobtainable goal. This is one way we can honor Him, turning to God for support and strength every day.

What do you believe is God’s standard for your life?
Give an example of how you try to live up to this standard.
When you sin, do you repent and draw closer to God?