Sermon Discussion Guides

We want you to know, brothers,about the grace of God that has beengiven among the churches of Macedonia,2for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy andtheir extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.3For they gaveaccording to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,4begging us earnestlyfor...

9Let love be genuine.Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.10Love one another with brotherly affection.Outdo one another in showing honor.11Do not be slothful in zeal,be fervent in spirit,serve the Lord.12Rejoice in hope,be patient in tribulation,be constant in prayer.13Contribute to the needs of the saints andseek to show hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute ...

14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Forwhat partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Orwhat fellowship has light with darkness?15What accord has Christ with Belial?Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?16What agreement has the temple of God with idols? Forwe are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among...

17Therefore, if anyone isin Christ, he isa new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.18All this is from God,who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave usthe ministry of reconciliation;19that is, in Christ God was reconcilingthe world to himself,not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to usthe message of reconciliation.20T...

1.) Paul makes it his aim to please God (v 9). Who is someone you know who personifies this? What quality stands out most about their life? 2.) What are some characteristics of a life which would be pleasing to God? Of those characteristics, which one do you feel you exhibit most? Which one do you struggle with the most? 3.) As Christians, how does knowing that we ...

1) Paul was "afflicted...but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed" because of the power of God in his life. How has God's power carried you through difficult situations? 2) How has enduring through suffering helped to enhance your witness for Christ? How can your endurance through those trials b...

Discussion Questions How is the glory of God in the Old Covenant different from his glory in the New Covenant? What is the relationship between hope and boldness (v 12)? How can we have a stronger hope and greater boldness? How does this hope help us live courageous and unashamed lives for the gospel? What does it mean to be changed from "one degree of glory to anoth...

Discussion Questions Paul understood what it was like to feel inadequate ministering to others. Can you relate? If so, how do these verses speak into that? How are the Corinthians themselves a letter of recommendation for Paul? In your own life, who has modeled for you how to follow Christ? Who are your "letters", those you're investing in right now? How would...

Discussion Questions What does it mean to be "the aroma of Christ" among those around us (2:15)? What two responses do people tend to have to this aroma (2:16)? How have you seen these very different responses to the gospel message from those around you? How important is it for us to have pure, sincere motives when ministering to other people (2:17)? How can...

Discussion Questions What evidences do you see in this passage of Paul's love for the Corinthians? Many times we must say hard truths to those we minister to. How does love for them impact the way we do that? What instructions does Paul give the Corinthians for the individual who has sinned (2:5-11)? What is the ultimate goal when disciplining someone for th...