What if God's Power Shines Most When You Stop Pretending?

Discussion Questions for 2 Corinthians 11-13:

1. Why does Paul spend so much time "boasting" about his sufferings and weaknesses in chapter 11? What point is he making?
2. In 2 Corinthians 12:2–4, Paul mentions being "caught up to the third heaven." What does this mean, and what might Paul have experienced or seen there?
3. Why do you think Paul refers to himself in the third person when describing this heavenly vision? What does this tell us about Paul and his purpose in sharing it?
4. What do you think Paul's "thorn in the flesh" might have been? Why do you think God allowed it to remain?
5. Read verse 9. What does it mean for God's grace to be sufficient for you? How can you practically "boast in weakness" so that Christ's power may rest on you?
6. Read verse 10. Reflect on this paradox: "When I am weak, then I am strong." What does this look like in real life? Can you think of a time when God's strength showed most clearly through your weakness?
7. Read 13:5. What is the true test of salvation according to this passage? How does that differ from assessing our works or inspecting our fruit?