Live in the Narthex, Sunday at 9:00 am
Our normal cadence is:
- Brief discussion previous week, with thought questions that will tie into the lesson.
- Open with prayer
- Read the section of scripture. Try to let everyone read a few verses, but will modify as needed.
- Work through the prepared questions … at our own pace.
- Close with prayer after ~ 45 minutes.
Hope you can join us live and participate in the study. We always enjoy interaction. Or you can use the guide to study on your own. Feel free to share with others.
Step1: Opening and Introduction to the lesson – Personal Testimonies and or any Reflections? When sick or hurt as a child, what expression of care did you find most comforting??
Step 2: Hear – Read: 2 Cor 1:1 – 11. Intro 2nd Corinthians; The God of All Comfort.
Step 3: Explore – Discover the Passage
- Paul writes this second letter to the Corinthians after he receives reassuring news from Titus about the Corinthian church and its problems. This may be a combination of two letters, chapters 1-9 when Titus reports situation rectified. Then when Titus returned to Corinth others apostles were back in charge, on hearing this Paul wrote another letter chapters 10-13 in sharp contrast to earlier. List what Paul states concerning the nature and activities of God.
- What’s the relationship between God’s ability to comfort us and our ability to comfort others (v.5)? How does Paul understand his afflictions in relation to the comfort of God?
- If Paul is sure he will be released from Prison, why, do you think, does he request prayer from the Corinthians?
- When have you been the recipient of this comfort? How are Christ’s and Paul’s suffering related to the Corinthians? What pressures is Paul facing that would cause him to despair even of life (see 7:5-7 and Acts 19:23-41)?
Step 4: Connect – Apply the Passage:
- What pressures are causing you to despair? How do you react in times of difficulty and stress?
- Paul found that intense pressures led him to depend on God all the more (v. 9). How do you respond to intense pressures? Do they deepen your walk with God or drive you away from him?
- Whom do you know who is under intense pressure? How would Paul have you pray for them? A friend asks, why do you have to bother praying, since God knows what’s going to happen anyway? What is your answer?
Step 5: Reflect: give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
