Courage To Lead With Vulnerability

Key Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9–10

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 NASB95

9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

1. Opening Connection (2–3 minutes)

Men are conditioned to hide weakness: “Don’t cry. Don’t admit you’re wrong. Don’t ask for help.”

But Paul flips that mindset: he boasts in weakness, so Christ’s power rests on him.

Key Thought: Hiding weakness makes us fragile. Admitting weakness makes us strong in Christ.

2. Vulnerability in Scripture (5 minutes)

Jesus’ Example:

At His birth: He entered the world in weakness — fully divine, yet fully human. Philippians 2:6–7: He “emptied Himself” and embraced humanity.

In His life: He hungered, thirsted, grew weary, and wept (John 11:35).

In Gethsemane: “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Could you not pray with me?” (Matt. 26:38–40).

At the cross: He endured ultimate vulnerability — stripped, mocked, and crucified — and turned that weakness into the power of salvation.

Paul’s Example: He prayed for his thorn to be removed, but God gave grace instead (2 Cor. 12:9–10). He embraced weakness so Christ’s power would rest on him.

3. Teaching Points (10 minutes)

A. Vulnerability Builds Trust

Patrick Lencioni (Five Dysfunctions of a Team, The Advantage): “The foundation of a healthy team is vulnerability-based trust.”

Without vulnerability, there is no trust. Without trust, there is no team.

Application: Your home is your first team. Vulnerability in your family builds trust with your wife, kids, and even your parents.

True courage is telling your kids: “I was wrong, will you forgive me?”

B. Vulnerability Requires Courage

Anyone can flex strength; it takes real courage to expose weakness.

James 5:16: “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”

Vulnerability isn’t wallowing or oversharing; it’s admitting need and pointing to Christ’s sufficiency.

Where there is no vulnerability, there is no trust. And where there is no trust, relationships wither.

4. Vulnerability Means… (Framework)

1. I willingly embrace humanity.

Jesus, fully divine, chose to embrace the limitations of flesh (Phil. 2:6–7).

Vulnerability admits: I won’t pretend to be above struggle. I embrace my humanity and let Christ’s strength show through it.

2. I am willing to say, “I need you.”

Jesus in Gethsemane: “Could you not pray with me one hour?”

Vulnerability admits: I can’t do this alone; I need brothers beside me.

3. I am willing to be weak in the flesh so I can be strong in the Spirit.

Paul: “I will boast in my weaknesses so Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Cor. 12:9–10)

Vulnerability admits: My limits make room for God’s limitless grace.

4. I am willing to confess my sins and failures.

James 5:16 — Confession opens the door to healing.

Vulnerability admits: I’ve messed up—but I refuse to hide it.

5. I am willing to forgive and ask forgiveness.

Saying to your wife or kids, “I was wrong, please forgive me,” builds trust.

Vulnerability admits: I value the relationship more than my pride.

6. I am willing to listen and be taught.

Proverbs 12:15 — “A wise man listens to advice.”

Vulnerability admits: I don’t know everything. I need counsel.

7. I am willing to risk being misunderstood.

Confrontation, confession, testimony may feel awkward.

Vulnerability admits: I’d rather be misunderstood by men than disobedient to God.

“Real courage isn’t hiding weakness — it’s admitting it, so Christ’s power can rest on you.”