Today’s passage: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Helpful thoughts:

• “Jars of clay” is a figure of speech referring to human weakness.  We are frail, easily breakable.  Yet, with God’s power working in us, “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed…struck down, but not destroyed.”
  • These are not words that describe jars of clay.  We persevere due to the power of God in us.
• Being followers of Jesus, even our dying can be used for good and for the good of others.
• For the Christian, our physical death is simply a part of the process in our eternal life.
  • When hardships come, when we endure trials, tribulations, persecutions, even death…we know these things are all temporary.  They are obstacles in the path that God will get us over and will turn for our good.  We’re going to be with God forever.

Questions to consider:

1. Why might a person be offended to be called a “jar of clay?”  Why is it so important we remember that’s what we are?
2. How does knowing who God is and who we are give us the right perspective to live life well?  How does it lead to our proper understanding of the gospel and repentance?  How does it produce greater joy and rest of spirit in us?
3. How long will eternity be?  How can thinking about eternity with the Lord help you endure your days on this earth?

Today’s passage: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Helpful thoughts:

• The truth of the gospel is not seen by all (Those who remained veiled from chapter 3).  But this does not require us to lose heart.  Nor does it require us to devise new strategies to sweeten the gospel.
• Paul’s method of communicating the gospel: The open statement of the truth.
• When someone rejects our open statement of the truth (The gospel), these things must be remembered:
  • Satan blinds minds.
  • They are first rejecting God, not you (“What we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord.”)
  • We have succeeded whether those who hear repent or not.  “The light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” has shone.

Questions to consider:

1. Sometimes we feel like we shouldn’t share the gospel until we have a PhD in apologetics.  How does this passage argue against that feeling?  What is it that we are responsible to share?
2. What other concerns can prevent us from sharing the gospel with others?  What truths must we consider to get over those fears?
3. Though we have no need to change the way we speak or write out the gospel message, where are all the places we could give an open statement of the truth (Maybe even some places Paul never had access to)?  Where (And/or with whom) could you share the gospel today?

Today’s passage: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Helpful thoughts:

• Paul calls the Mosaic Law a “ministry of death” not because there was anything wrong with the Law or the Ten Commandments, but because man is unable to perfectly obey them.  The Law taught man that he is a sinner and deserves death.
• Those who read the laws/rules/commandments of God and thinks they can be good enough are living with a veil over their eyes.  They are blind and remain in their sin.  Those who acknowledge their sin and look to Jesus for forgiveness and freedom have had the veil removed.  They can see the purpose of the law and the grace of God through Christ!
• Staring at the Law and ourselves will never cause us to change and grow.  We look to Jesus.  We rejoice in our salvation in Him.  Beholding the Lord transforms us.

Questions to consider:

1. What must a person believe if he is to think he has performed adequately according to God’s commands to have earned eternal life?  What is wrong in that person’s theology, his understanding of himself, etc.?  In what way has the Law become a stumbling block to him?  Why would he find the gospel of Jesus Christ offensive?
2. What kind of glory does the Law of Moses have if a person does not understand the gospel?  What is the only way the true glory of the Law of Moses can be seen?
3. How should the truth of this passage affect the way we teach and disciple others?  If all we do is teach rules and reward or criticize, what are we missing?  If we never teach rules, what won’t we be able to introduce?  How does centering our teaching and thinking on Jesus and the gospel make all other teaching biblical accurate and constructive?

Today’s passage: 2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Helpful thoughts:

• Paul’s qualification or role as an Apostle was being questioned by the church.  The very existence of the church and its growth was evidence of Paul’s calling.
• The New Covenant is written of in the Old Testament in Ezekiel 36:26-27.  The Corinthians believers were benefactors and participants (As we are) of this New Covenant.
  • Paul used the term “Minister” instead of Apostle in this passage.  Many of the things Paul did to serve the church are things we can and should still do today to carry on the task of building up the church.
• The letter of the law does not give people the ability to obey.  It simply instructs us concerning our inability and guilt.  The Spirit gives life, freedom, and the ability to follow after God.

Questions to consider:

1. Why was the obvious working of God better than a letter from a man?  While references can certainly be a good thing today when we get to know people (Especially candidates for ministry roles), how should we always weigh those references?
2. How was Paul made “sufficient” to be a minister of the New Covenant?  How are any of us made sufficient?  When we are obedient to minister (And the word in the Greek could be translated as a “servant”) who are we putting our confidence in to bear fruit?
3. How does the grace of the New Covenant (Saved by grace through faith in Christ), eliminate legalism?  Why are we able to encourage and teach obedience without being legalistic?  What comes first, justification or obedience?

Today’s passage: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Helpful thoughts:

• Paul was concerned about Titus and the health of the church in Corinth when Titus proved unable to leave Corinth to join him in ministry in Troas.
  • “Open doors” are not signs from God that you’re supposed to go through.  An open door is simply an open door.  If the “door is open” and it would be pleasing to God, go for it.  If the “door is open” but Scriptural principles make it clear it’s not a good thing to do (Or that there is an even better/more pressing option), don’t do it.  The Word of God gives us what we need to discern.
• As Christians follow Christ and speak the gospel, we will make an impact and garner responses from all kinds of people.
  • To those who hear and believe, we are a blessing.
  • To those who hear and reject, we are a nuisance (Or worse).
    • Both responses bring glory to God in the end.
• Our ministry of evangelism and discipleship is not a gimmick.  We aren’t to put up appearances or try to sell people on Jesus.  We are to live in sincerity and speak the truth to those who are perishing, honestly desiring their salvation.

Questions to consider:

1. What are the pitfalls of the “Open door” method of trying to discern God’s directive will?  How could it lead a person astray?
2. Why do the positive and negative responses to the “aroma of Christ” both glorify God in the end?  Why is God to be praised when sinners repent and are justified?  How is God’s righteousness and justice displayed through those who reject Him?
3. To whom are you spreading the aroma of Christ?  Who could you pray for and share the gospel with today/this week?

Today’s passage: 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

Helpful thoughts:

• This passage could refer to the man who was to be disciplined by the church in 1 Corinthians 5, or it could have been someone else (Possibly one who sought to lead people against the teaching/leadership Paul had given).  Either way, the application is the same.
• The sin of this person had a negative effect on all the church.  We can decide whether or not to sin, we don’t get to decide the consequences or how many people it impacts.
• When the man had been unrepentant, the church was right to remove him from membership (Matthew 18:17).  Now that the man was humbled and repentant, restoration was appropriate.
  • Repentance and restoration are always the goal of church discipline!

Questions to consider:

1. Why is it right for us to forgive others (Matthew 18:33)?
2. When is it right for us to forgive others (Matthew 18:15-17)?
3. What should we be hoping for throughout the process of rebuking our brothers or sisters in Christ?  And, how should we approach people when we confront their sin (Galatians 6:1)?

Today’s passage: 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4

Helpful thoughts:

• In a world where we are tempted (And taught) to boast in ourselves, we must instead boast in the grace of God.
  • We are saved through the blood of Jesus, according to the promises recorded in the Word of God, all given to us by the grace of God.
  • In this knowledge and faith, even when we boast of each other, we are boasting in God.
• There was evidently frustration with some in the Corinthian church at what looked like a change in Paul’s plan to come minister to them.  God had other plans, and Paul sent them a letter instead.  The ministry they needed at the time was rebuke, and that’s what Paul gave them (This was how the grace of God pointed them to repentance in Christ at the time).
  • There appears to be two ways these verses refer everything being a “yes” in Christ.
    • Even though the people didn’t get what they initially wanted (Paul’s earlier visit) they did get what they needed (A loving rebuke and time to respond before Paul arrived).  This was God’s working for their good in a way that was better than what they’d hoped for…their “yes.”
    • The promises of God all find their “yes” in Christ.  This refers to the promises of God as found in the Old Testament.  The Old Testament points to and is fulfilled in Jesus (Luke 24:27).

Questions to consider:

1. How does the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer serve as a “seal” and “guarantee?”  What covenant promise does God see and remain committed to when he sees the seal on us, which is the Holy Spirit? (John 10:29, Philippians 1:6)
2. How does verse 24 give us a road map for helping our brothers and sisters in Christ to seek repentance?  What can’t we do for (or to) them?  What can we do?  What is our goal for those who are in sin?
3. Why is Christ the only source of our boasting?  Our only hope of rescue?  Our guarantee of perseverance?

Today’s passage: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Helpful thoughts:

• One of the major fruits/results of suffering in this life is the benefit of receiving comfort from God.  When we receive God’s comfort, we are then equipped to pass that comfort on to others who suffer in the same way.
  • Going through hardships within a community of people (The church) gives us opportunities to learn from the afflictions of others and to share the fruits of our own afflictions with others.
  • How difficult and unfruitful it would be to suffer without a community of believers.
• God allows His people to go through things they cannot handle (Verse 8).
• God can handle anything and everything.  We are to rely on Him.

Questions to consider:

1. What are some ways you have seen fellow Christians struggle that encouraged your faith and growth?  What are some ways you have suffered that have been or could be useful to others?
2. Does 2 Corinthians 1:8 disagree with 1 Corinthians 10:13 (The answer is…no)?  What do we do when we fall into temptation?  If God doesn’t allow us to be tempted beyond our ability, then what are we always able to do, even when we are going through somethings we can not handle on our own?  How could we understand these verses together?  What powerful truth do they convey?
3. How does God ultimately deliver all of His people?  Even if He did allow us to suffer to the point of death, what deliverance will we never lose that makes all other deliverances pale in comparison?