Generosity Encouraged - 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Understand It
- What had God given to the Macedonian Christians? (8:1)
- Out of what circumstances did the Macedonian Christians give? (8:2)
- What attitude did the Macedonians have in their giving? (8:3-4)
- What three things did the Macedonian Christians do that impressed Paul? (8:3-5)
- What surprised Paul about the Macedonians’ giving? (8:5)
- What was it that Titus had begun to do? (8:6)
- In what area did Paul want the Corinthians to excel? (8:7)
- Why did Paul avoid commanding the Corinthians to give? (8:8)
- What example did Christ set for us? (8:9)
- Why did Paul use the actions of the Macedonian Christians to motivate the Corinthians to give? (8:11)
- What is it about a gift to the Lord that makes it acceptable? (8:12)
- What end does God want our charitable giving to achieve? (8:13)
- What Old Testament example guides our giving? How? (8:15)
Apply It
- What step can you take this week to review and improve your financial support of the Lord’s work?
- In what ways besides giving money can you be generous to others in the name of Christ this week?
Titus Sent to Corinth - 2 Corinthians 8:16-9:5
Understand It
- Why did Paul and Titus share the same concern for the Christians at Corinth? (8:16)
- Why was Titus traveling to Corinth? (8:17)
- Why did Paul send two other Christians along with Titus to Corinth? (8:18-23; 9:3-5)
- How did Paul instruct the Corinthian church to treat Titus and his fellow worker? (8:23-24)
- Why did Paul explain there was no need for him to write the Corinthians? (9:1)
- How did Paul motivate the Macedonians to join in the collection for the Christians of Jerusalem? (9:2-3)
- How would Paul’s boasting have been hollow? (9:3)
- Why did Paul send Titus to collect the gift from the Corinthian church? (9:3-5)
- What attitude did Paul want the Corinthians to have regarding their gift? (9:5)
Apply It
- What step can you take this week to foster a willing attitude in your giving?
- What is one setting in which you can strive to avoid criticism for the way you live your Christian life? How?
