Sense of Competence
     1.   Definition
               a.   feeling of adequacy, courage, hopefulness
               b.   affected positively by successes; negatively by failures (as we view them)
               c.   sense of competence based primarily on past experiences
                         i.   only slightly affect by present experiences
                         ii.  gives us stamina to endure today’s difficulties and failures
     2.   The need
               a.   without a sense of competence, we lose courage and hope, become pessimistic
          about life
               b.   with sense of competence, we endure temporary setbacks.
     3.   A problem
               a.   sometimes our strengths can become limitations — we don’t venture out.
               b.   our strengths can lead us to self-sufficiency instead of dependence on God
               c.   God may lead you into an area where you don’t have self-confidence
                         i.   we rely more on God when we feel inadequate
                         ii.  we ought to rely on God even in  our areas of strength
                         iii. could be stretching experience, develop new abilities & strengths
               d.   If you know who you are in Christ, you’re free to accept your weaknesses,
          faults and mistakes.

Discussion:
     1.   How does the practice of grading students and rating employees affect their sense of
     competence?
               a.   possible to view ratings negatively; possibly due to independent spirit, not
          wanting to be accountable.
               b.   possible to view ratings positively; motivates, sets goals; result: people feel
          better/competent when they perform.
     2.   our relationship with God the Father fulfills our sense of belonging; we belong to
     Father, we’re his children
     3.   our relationship with God the Son fulfills our sense of worthiness; removes our guilt,
     works in our behalf

Sense of competence is fulfilled by relating to the Holy Spirit
     1.   Jn 14:17 “But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
                         i.   Holy Spirit with us continuously; regardless of circumstances
     2.   Jn 14:26 “But the counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,
     will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
               a.   parakletos (counselor) indicates capability for giving aid; general purpose:
          whatever is needed
               b.   used in justice system for legal assistant, counsel for the defense, advocate.
               c.   teaches us all things; Greek may also indicate he’ll teach us
          completely/thoroughly and by every means
                         i.   teach us everything we need
                         ii.  gives us all guidance, directions we need
                         iii. does this in every way and situation — competence!
               d.   remind us everything Jesus taught (assumes we’ve exposed ourselves to it,
          trained ourselves, familiar with scripture)
     3.   Rom 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
     so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
               a.   hope: confident expectation, anticipation of good, optimism
               b.   essential part of competence; sense of competence helps you anticipate good
          results.
               c.   overflow with hope; basis of our hope: power of the Holy Spirit
     4.   Rom 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of
     righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
               a.   joy: attitude of joyfulness, delight; independent of circumstances
               b.   result of having fulfilled sense of competence.
               c.   we know God and we together can do anything (competence); result: joy.

Conclusion
     1.   Sense of competence is one of our basic emotional needs.
     2.   The Holy Spirit in us is more than competent, gives us hope and confidence.