Paul's Change of Plans - 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4
Understand It
- How did Paul support his claim that he had been sincere with the Corinthians? (1:12)
- What accusation from the Corinthians was Paul most likely responding to? (1:12-14)
- Why did Paul say that the Corinthians could boast of him just as he would boast of them? (1:14)
- Why had Paul planned to visit the Corinthian church? (1:15)
- Why did Paul change his travel plans? (1:15-16)
- How did Paul’s opponents at Corinth use his change of plans against him? (1:17)
- What is the chief feature of God’s promises? (1:18-22)
- How did Paul explain how reliable his words were? (1:18-23)
- What did Paul emphasize to strengthen his self-defense? (1:22)
- How does God’s Spirit act as a deposit? (1:22)
- What is guaranteed to come? (1:22)
- Why did Paul decide not to return to Corinth? (1:23)
- What was Paul’s main purpose in working with the Corinthian church? (1:24)
- What were Paul’s visits to Corinth like? (2:1)
- Why did Paul write about his distress and anguish? (2:4)
Apply It
- How can you remind yourself to listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and direction in your daily life?
- What is one interpersonal conflict that you need to try to work out this week?
Forgiveness for the Sinner - 2 Corinthians 2:5-11
Understand It
- What situation is Paul responding to in this passage? (2:5)
- What did Paul mean when he said that the sinner in the Corinthian church had hurt all of the Corinthians? (2:5)
- How did the Corinthians finally respond to the person who hurt Paul? (2:6)
- What was the man’s reaction to the Corinthian’s discipline? (2:7)
- What advice did Paul give the Corinthians regarding the man who had sinned? (2:7-8)
- How were the Corinthians to reaffirm their love for the man they disciplined? (2:8)
- Why did Paul write to the Corinthians? (2:9)
- Why was it important that the Corinthians forgive the man whom they disciplined? (2:10-11)
- In what way can Satan outwit us? (2:10-11)
- What danger did Paul want to avoid? (2:11)
- What were the Corinthian Christians not naive about? (2:11)
Apply It
- What is the first step you should take this week to forgive and reaffirm your love for someone who has sinned against you?
- How do you plan to seek forgiveness the next time you wrong someone?
Ministers of the New Covenant - 2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6
Understand It
- Why was Paul willing to leave Troas, despite the opportunities there? (2:12-13)
- Why was Paul thankful to the Lord? (2:14)
- How can knowledge of Christ be a fragrance? (2:14)
- By what method did Paul expect the gospel to be spread? (2:14)
- In what way are Christians the aroma of Christ? (2:15)
- Which two groups of people are affected by how Christians live? (2:15)
- In what way are Christians the smell of death to some and the fragrance of life to others? (2:16)
- How did some people of Paul’s day misuse the Word of God? (2:17)
- Who might have needed letters of recommendation? Why? (3:1)
- In what sense were the Corinthians a record of Paul’s values and concerns? (3:2-3)
- In what sense were the Corinthians a record of God’s values and concerns? (3:2-3)
- Where did Paul get his competence? (3:5-6)
- What’s the difference between the letter and the Spirit? (3:6)
Apply It
- When could you talk with your pastor to learn of your church’s concerns and thus be able to pray for these needs more effectively?
- What about Christ do you want people to "read" in you this week?
