Imperfect Parents

JAN 08, 2023  / Sunday | Series: God Could Use Someone Like You – Read Luke 2:41-5

Overview: What kind of parents would leave their child behind in a big city, and then–finding them days later–lay blame with the kid?

09 / Mon – Imperfect people  |  Read Luke 2:41-52

Wouldn’t you have chosen two perfect people to raise the Son of God? Joseph and Mary were a godly couple who had obedient hearts but they were not perfect. First, how does one lose a child? And then, why did they scold him when he was doing God’s will? Having imperfect parents is part of the human experience. If you had been raised by perfect parents, would you have felt a need to connect with your heavenly Father?

10 / Tue – Jaw-dropping choices  |  Read Judges 13:1-5, 24-25 and 16:20-31

Samson’s beginning shows his birth was divinely ordained and that God’s Spirit was upon him. As he grew into a young man, what do you notice about his character? What were his priorities? His weaknesses? What led to his being stripped of physical strength, captured by his enemies and then gaining his final victory? We may have rejected him for his failures but God did not (Heb. 11:32-34). What does this teach you about judging others, or even yourself, as worthy of being used by God?

11 / Wed – All in the same boat  |  Read Romans 3:23

Isn’t this a comforting verse? Everyone has sinned and fallen short. We are all in the same boat, but the situation is not hopeless because, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). This  may be a familiar theme but go back and read these verses in context. What do they tell you about yourself, about God, about hope? God is not deterred by your lack of talent or abilities or imperfect living. Why? Because he knows more than you do and he has a plan. Are you willing to say yes?

12 / Thu – Weakness is not disdained by God  |  Read 2 Corinthians 12:9

Weakness is considered a bad thing in our culture but not by God. Why? Is it because, when we acknowledge that we are weak, it opens the way for him to do what he does best? Paul faced his own recurring weakness but came to revel in the fact. What might happen if you admitted to God your weaknesses and asked him to use you anyway?

13 / Fri – Perfect?!  |  Read Matthew 5:48

What a difficult command! This is a hard verse for some people to understand. Be perfect?! How can anyone be perfect? It is not possible, they’d say. But would Jesus command something that is impossible? The original word for perfect is shlemim which means complete or finished. If you are feeling discouraged about your imperfections, ask Jesus for help. He truly is the author and finisher of your faith (Heb. 12:2 KJV) and will present you faultless (Jude 1:24 KJV). Do you believe this?

14 / Sat – Willing  |  Read Isaiah 6:1-8

God can and will use anyone to accomplish his purposes. Although the Sovereign Lord needs no one because he is completely self-sufficient, he chooses to let us participate in his amazing story. When God first called Isaiah, he felt completely unworthy. Yet when God asked who would go, he raised his hand. Where might God want to use you? If you pause to listen, he will show you. And when you say yes, he will give you what you need to do what he’s called you to do.