For Sunday, September 4, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, September 5, 2010

1) Ephesians 1:1-14
This passage includes a summary of God’s overall plan. What are the main points in this summary? What does each key word mean? What is the role of each member of the Trinity in this plan?

2) Ephesians 1:1-2
How did Paul start the letter? How did he describe the Ephesian Christians? If Paul were writing you, how would he describe you? Verse 2: How are grace and peace related? Pray this blessing on yourself and on someone else today.

3) Ephesians 1:3-6
Romans 8:15-17
If you are adopted into God’s family, what does that mean about God’s authority over you? About your identity? About your inheritance?

4) Ephesians 1:3-14
Verse 3 refers to “every spiritual blessing in Christ.” List the spiritual blessings Paul mentions in the remainder of the passage. Can you add to that list from your personal experience? Do you believe verse 11? What does the life of a person who truly believes verse 11 look like? What is the evidence of their belief in their life?

For Sunday, August 29, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, August 29, 2010

1) 2 Corinthians 10:1-6
How did Paul identify the weapons of a Christian? Why do we need weapons? What does it take to make every thought obedient to Christ? What picture does verse 5 bring to your mind?
Ephesians 6:10-20
Make a prayer out of these verses.

2) 2 Corinthians 11:1-6; 13-15
What aspect of Pau’s relationship with the Corinthian church does he describe in these passages? What does godly jealousy look like in a Christian’s life? How can a person tell if a teaching is from God? What kinds of things lead your mind away form sincere and pure devotion to Christ?

3) 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Why does Paul tell them about this experience? How is God’s power perfected in weakness? How can we share Paul’s attitude and focus about weakness and suffering on a daily basis?

4) 2 Corinthians 13
What does the passage tell us about Paul’s relationship with the Corinthian church? What stands out to you in this chapter? Verse 5: How does a person do this? Verse 14: What is the role of each member of the Trinity described in this verse?

For Sunday, August 22, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, August 22, 2010

1) 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Describe the Macedonian churches’ offering. According to verse 5, what was the order of their gifts? What happens when we get this out of order? To what extent does Jesus’ example of extravagant love and grace motivate your giving? How did Paul say the acceptableness of the gift is judged?

2) 2 Corinthians 9:1-5; Romans 15:25-28
What else do we learn about their offering in these passages? What kinds of promises had the Corinthian church made? What were Paul’s concerns? From the Romans passage, can you (at least somewhat) trace Paul’s journey during this trip?

3) 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
What have you learned about cheerful giving in the past year? Which do you give most easily: your time, talents, energy, finances or what? Which is more difficult? How does truly believing the message of verse 8 make you a better giver? How well does verse 11 describe your life?

4) 2 Corinthians 9:12-15; 8:9
What are some of the positive results of being a cheerful giver? How is giving a demonstration of your faith? How does God’s indescribable gift to us motivate us to be better givers? In 8:9, how does Jesus’ example in giving motivate us to be better givers?

For Sunday, August 15, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, August 15, 2010

1) 2 Corinthians 5:11-13
Do you find comfort or unease in knowing your life is completely open before God? Where do you take pride -- in appearance or in the heart? How could following Jesus look like a mental illness? How would you answer someone who thought this?

2) 2 Corinthians 5:14-16
What does a life look like that is controlled by the love of Christ? How is it different from lives that are lived for ourselves? What changes when you no longer look at Christ from a worldly point of view? What changes when you no longer look at others from a worldly point of view? Which of these descriptions best matches your life?

3) 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
When a person comes to Christ, what “old” is gone? How much of this is immediate, and how much takes time? What is the “new” that has come into their lives? What is reconciliation? How is it a “ministry?” How are you living out this ministry? What kind of an ambassador for Christ are you? What are you relying on for your righteousness?

4) 2 Corinthians 5
How would you summarize Paul’s message in this chapter? Which verse stands out to you most? What is God changing in you based on this chapter?

　

For Sunday, August 8, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, August 8, 2010

I have a prize for anyone who emails, calls or posts on the blog this week that they read this! You must contact me by Saturday, August 7th, at 9:00 pm to qualify.

1) 2 Corinthians 3:1-6
According to these verses, what was the letter of recommendation for Paul’s ministry? Where and how was it written? What has the Holy Spirit written on your heart? Where did Paul look to find his confidence and competence for ministry?

2) 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
How can the gospel be presented wrongly? How did Paul describe the way he presented the gospel message? In what ways has the god of this age blinded the minds and eyes of unbelievers in our community? How has God made His light shine in your heart? How much of that light is shining to others around you?

3) 2 Corinthians 4:7-12; 15-18
Where do people normally store treasures? What did Paul mean by “treasure in jars of clay?” How did Paul view the difficulties and trials he faced? How can your suffering be for others’ benefit spiritually? Examine yourself: which do you spend more time focusing on in your daily life -- the temporary or the eternal?

4) 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
How is this life just a tent for a Christian? What is the “deposit” God has given us on the promise of eternal life? What was Paul’s constant goal (verse 9)? When you allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart, does He find you to be living more by faith or by sight?