Wounded Hearts, 2 Corinthians, Booklet

8/9/2019 Wounded Hearts, 2 Corinthians, Booklet

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Introduction

This Home Discussion Guide is the take-home companion to the spring sermon seriesWounded Hearts.

The guide is fairly simple. It follows the pattern of the sermon series, with a weekly excerptfrom 2 Corinthians, a brief word of encouragement, prayer prompts, and discussion questions. Thegoal of this guide is to stimulate and continue conversation at home about the book of 2Corinthians.

Hopefully, this guide can be placed on your dinner table, in the car, on the refrigerator, or insome other prominent place in your home or apartment. Throughout the week, take five minutes orso to focus on one part of the guide at a time, perhaps as part of your familys devotional time orsimply to prompt spiritual conversations. Below are some examples of how the guide could be used:

Talk about a discussion question during the evening meal together

Read the encouragement thought and discuss during the morning commute.

Use the prayer prompt to begin your evening prayers individually or with others.

Read a portion of the weekly passage from 2 Corinthians during your morning breakfast.

Our prayer is that this guide will continue to direct our thoughts and conversations towardsGods transforming work in our midst so that we can be a community becoming like Christ.

Southside Church of ChristSpring 2015


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A Brief Sketch of Pauls Relationship with the Corinthians

A.D 50 Paul visits Corinth on his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-18).

Paul stays with Priscilla and Aquila.

He plants the church and stays for about 18 months.

Paul is brought to court before Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia.

A.D. 52 Paul sends his first letter to the Corinthians, which is not preserved today. This letter addresses the

sexual immorality of the surrounding culture (1 Cor. 5:9).

A.D. 52 Paul receives correspondence from the Corinthians about certain questions regarding morality, church

order, and unity (1 Cor. 1:11).

A.D. 52 Paul writes a second letter, which we call 1 Corinthians, from Ephesus that addresses the questions

and concerns shared with him.

Timothy is sent to Corinth to help in teaching and encouraging (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10).

A.D. 54 Paul briefly visits Corinth and is seriously hurt and humiliated by the church (2 Cor. 2:1).

Possibly Paul is confronted by a church member who had been influenced by other enemies of

Paul (2 Cor. 2:5-6).

A.D. 54 Paul writes a third letter, which is not preserved today. This emotional letter rebukes the church for its

lack of support and defense of Paul (2 Cor. 2:4; 7:8).

Titus delivers this letter to the church and spends time in Corinth.

A.D. 55 Titus meets Paul in Macedonia and shares that the Corinthians are remorseful about their previous

actions (2 Cor. 7:5-7, 13-16; cf. Acts 20:1-2).

A.D. 56 Paul writes a fourth letter, which we call 2 Corinthians. This personal letter is Pauls attempt to bring

renewal to the wounded relationship between him and the church.

Titus takes the letter to the church and collects their gift for the poor Christians in Jerusalem (2

Cor. 8:16-24).


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Week 1: How Their Hearts Were Wounded

2 Corinthians 1:1-2

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God in Corinth, together with all his holy people throughout Achaia:2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


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Week 1: How Their Hearts Were Wounded

Encouragement Thought:

Some believe that this is the fourth letter that Paul wrote to the church in Corinth. At this

point, both Paul and the church are wounded over past hurts. Paul feels betrayed as the

church has second-guessed his apostleship and ministry. The church is discouraged

because of previous rebukes and disappointments. Paul begins this letter to help them

both mend their hearts and understand how God is transforming them during this

difficult journey.

Prayer:

Lord, life is not always easy. Suffering, disappointments, and grief can break and wound

our hearts. Help us know that even in the darkest of times, you are at work to bring

about transformation.

Discussion Questions:1. What do you know about the church in Corinth?

2. How do you think Paul feels as he begins to write this letter?

3. Have there been times recently when your heart has been wounded?


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Week 2: The Comfort of God

2 Corinthians 1:3-11

1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and

the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in anytrouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly inthe sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6If we are distressed, it isfor your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in

you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, becausewe know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles weexperienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability toendure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence ofdeath. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises thedead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him wehave set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Thenmany will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of

many.


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Week 2: The Comfort of God


In 1:3-7, Paul uses a form of the word comfort ten times. He describes a circle of

comfort: God provides comfort to us, and this allows us to provide comfort to others

who can then also comfort us in our time of need. Paul promises that when we patiently

endure suffering, through Christ our comfort overflows (v. 5).

Prayer:

Lord, suffering and pain can be overwhelming at times, yet your comfort always comes.Thank you for being a God of comfort, who strengthens and sustains us during our most

difficult times.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does the word comfort mean?

2. Explain in your own words the circle of comfort described in the passage.

3. Who has brought comfort to you in a time of need?


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Week 3: Offering Forgiveness


2:5 If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to

some extentnot to put it too severely. 6 The punishment inflicted on him by the majority issufficient. 7 Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not beoverwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love forhim. 9 Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient ineverything. 10 Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgivenif there wasanything to forgiveI have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order thatSatan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.


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Week 3: Offering Forgiveness


Paul encourages the Corinthians to offer forgiveness to a brother to whom they had

given godly discipline. Paul tells them he has forgiven them, and they need to do the

same, otherwise Satan may gain a foothold in resentment.

Prayer:

Lord, forgiveness is not easy. Help us to let go of hurt and resentment towards others

and affirm that we love those who may have wounded us. After all, you have done thisfor us.


1. What does it mean to forgive someone?

2. What makes forgiveness so difficult?

3. How can Satan work through a heart that wont forgive?


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Week 4: Competency from God

2 Corinthians 3:1-6

1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters

of recommendation to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts,known and read by everyone. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of ourministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone buton tablets of human hearts.

4 Such confidence we have through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent inourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He has madeus competent as ministers of a new covenantnot of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letterkills, but the Spirit gives life.


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Week 4: Competency from God


Paul acknowledges his incompetency and insufficiency to provide this ministry of the

new covenant. Yet, he celebrates in knowing that God is competent and working

through him. Paul is successful in his ministry not because of his talent and ability but

because he trusts in Gods sufficiency.

Prayer:

Lord, we acknowledge right now that we need you. We do not have enough talent,ability, and giftedness to do what you have called us to as servants for you. Help us to

trust in your sufficiency every day.


1. What other prophets or servants acknowledge that they were not sufficient for the

task God called them?2. Why is it hard for us to admit insufficiency?

3. What is an example in which Gods Spirit used you to serve in a way that you did not

have the natural talent, ability, or giftedness for?


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Week 5: Power in a Jar


4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from

God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but notin despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carryaround in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in ourbody. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus sake, so that his lifemay also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in

you.


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Week 5: Power in a Jar


Paul compares himself (and other servants) to jars of clay. Clay jars were disposable and

worth little. But Paul says that Gods power in us is like a treasure filling a clay jar, and

despite being pressed and squeezed, the jar shines forth with Gods surpassing glory.

Paul, again, embraces weakness and celebrates Gods power within.

Prayer:

Lord, we acknowledge our weaknesses. We are like jars of clay, but your power fills usand your glory shines through. Help us today to be given over to death so that your life

can be shown to others.


1. What are some ways that we are like jars of clay?

2. Why is it difficult to embrace our weaknesses today in our culture?

3. What does it mean in v. 11 to be given over to death for Jesus sake?


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Week 6: Fix Your Eyes

2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10

4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly

we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for usan eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but onwhat is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

5:1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building fromGod, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing tobe clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not befound naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do notwish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what ismortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose isGod, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the bodywe are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, andwould prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to

please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.10

For we must all appearbefore the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the thingsdone while in the body, whether good or bad.


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Week 6: Fix Your Eyes


For Paul, the future impacted his present. He believed that his future glory outweighed

present afflictions. Thus, a wounded heart should fix his or her eyes on what is

permanent rather than trying to hold on to the temporary. As Christians, we believe that

there is more beyond this life; this hope of resurrection sustains us through times of trial.

Prayer:

Lord, we join with all of creation in anticipating our new resurrected bodies. Help us toremember that this life is not all there is. Help us to fix our eyes on being at home with

you in the future.


1. What are ways that we hold on to the temporary instead of focusing on the

permanent?2. What do you look forward to about heaven?

3. How does our expectation of a future with God change the way we live now?


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Week 7: The Ministry of Reconciliation


5:11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are

is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commendourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you cananswer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are outof our mind, as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christslove compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And hedied for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died forthem and was raised again.

16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we onceregarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the newcreation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled usto himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconcilingthe world to himself in Christ, not counting peoples sins against them. And he has committedto us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christs ambassadors, as though God

were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christs behalf: Be reconciled toGod. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become therighteousness of God.


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Week 7: The Ministry of Reconciliation


Paul uses a version of the word reconcile five times in these verses. God accomplished

reconciliation through the atoning work of Jesus. Through Christ, we are now righteous

in Gods sight and reunited with Him. Now, we are his ambassadors, committed to this

same ministry of reconciliation.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the reconciling work of Jesus. We are humbled to know that we are anew creation. Help us to live this day as ambassadors for Christ and peacemakers in this

world.

Discussion Questions

1. What is reconciliation?

2. When has there been a time in your life when you have experienced reconciliation?

3. What does it mean to be committed to the ministry of reconciliation?


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Week 8: Seek Repentance


7:8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret itI see

that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while 9yet now I am happy, not because you weremade sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as Godintended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance thatleads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godlysorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, whatindignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. Atevery point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wroteto you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injuredparty, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 Byall this we are encouraged.

In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happyTitus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. 14 I had boasted to him about

you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our

boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well.15

And his affection for you is all thegreater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear andtrembling. 16 I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.


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Week 8: Seek Repentance


Paul sent a previous letter that upset the Corinthians, but Paul is glad because their

sorrow led them to repentance. When our heart is wounded, we should search our heartto see if there is any sin there. Woundedness can lead us to repentance and to a more

faithful walk with the Lord.

Prayer:

Lord, open our eyes to areas of life where we need to repent. Help us to walk morefaithfully with you as your servants today.

Discussion Questions

1. Explain in your own words what it means to have godly sorrow versus worldly

sorrow?

2. What is repentance?

3. What actions and emotions did the Corinthians demonstrate as a result of their godly

sorrow?


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Week 9: Supply Others Needs


8:10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were

the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so thatyour eager willingnessto do it may be matched by your completion of it, according toyour means.12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what onehas, not according to what one does not have.

13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there

might be equality.14

At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turntheir plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: The one whogathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.


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Week 9: Supply Others Needs


Paul writes to the church about giving to help the poor Christians in Jerusalem. He

recalls that the Corinthians previously had a desire to give; now he wants them to finishthe work. Wounded hearts find healing by sharing what they have with others. Grace

overflows through giving as we give generously to those in need (see also 9:6-15).

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for what you provided. You are a good and loving God. Teach me toshare what you have given to those in need. Make my heart into a generous heart that

demonstrates your grace in giving.


1. What are some benefits of giving to others?

2. What are ways that we can share with others?

3. What is the point of the quotation that Paul references in v. 15?


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Week 10: A Fool for Christ


11:16 I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so

that I may do a little boasting.17

In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, butas a fool.18 Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. 19 You gladly put upwith fools since you are so wise! 20 In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or

takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. 21 To my shame I admit that we were tooweak for that!

Whatever anyone else dares to boast aboutI am speaking as a foolI also dare to boastabout. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abrahams descendants? So am

I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked muchharder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again andagain. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten withrods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open

sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, indanger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, indanger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone withoutsleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and

naked.28

Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.29

Who is weak,and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord

Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor under KingAretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. 33 But I was lowered in a basket from awindow in the wall and slipped through his hands.


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Week 10: A Fool for Christ


In this section, Paul describes himself as a fool because he resorts to boasting about

his ministry. He knows that he should not do this, but he feels like he needs to in orderto defend his ministry. However, he boasts not about his successes, as normal bragging

entails. Rather, foolishly, he boasts about his sufferings. For Paul, his sufferings and

woundedness authenticate his ministry for the Lord.

Prayer:

Lord, too often I want to live a comfortable life with no suffering, no pain, and no

woundedness. Yet, Lord, lead me into your mission wherever that may be and whatever

that may cost.


1. Look at the list of sufferings (vv. 24-28). What episodes can you remember from thebook of Acts?

2. Why did Paul not boast about his successes (church plants, baptisms, etc.)?

3. What are different ways that you have suffered in the past for the sake of Christ?


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Week 11: Power in Weakness


1 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and

revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up tothe third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not knowGodknows. 3 And I know that this manwhether in the body or apart from the body I do not know,but God knows 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no oneis permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, exceptabout my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I wouldbe speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by whatI do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep mefrom becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to tormentme. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, Mygrace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast allthe more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christs power may rest on me. 10 That is why, forChrists sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For

when I am weak, then I am strong.


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Week 11: Power in Weakness


Paul shares in this text that he had a thorn in the flesh. He asked God to deliver him

from that thorn, yet God did not. Instead, Paul is told that Gods grace is sufficient forhim. In woundedness, Gods grace provides what we need, and like Paul, we boast in

our weaknesses and woundedness so that Christs power will be upon us.

Prayer:

Lord, like Paul, I have weaknesses, or thorns in the flesh. Help me to know that yourgrace is sufficient for me and that your power is made perfect in my weakness.


1. What do we know about Pauls thorn in the flesh, according to this passage?

2. Describe a time when you experienced a thorn in the flesh like Paul. How did you

handle it?

3. What does it mean that Christs power rests on His people in their weaknesses (see v.

9)?


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Week 12: Test Yourselves


1 This will be my third visit to you. Every matter must be established by the testimony of

two or three witnesses. 2 I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. Inow repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of theothers, 3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak indealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yethe lives by Gods power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by Gods power we will live withhim in our dealing with you.

5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realizethat Christ Jesus is in youunless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discoverthat we have not failed the test. 7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrongnot so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right eventhough we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only forthe truth. 9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that youmay be fully restored. 10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I

may not have to be harsh in my use of authoritythe authority the Lord gave me for buildingyou up, not for tearing you down.


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Week 12: Test Yourselves


Paul closes the book with some final exhortations. One of those is to examine

yourselves. Paul wants the Corinthians to examine their hearts to see if Christ is withinthem. Paul believes that as they examine their own hearts, it will help them as they

examine his heart. This heart examination will provide healing to their woundedness as

they are open and honest about who they are under the microscope of Christ.

Prayer:

Lord, we confess that at times we can be wounded. Yet in those moments, help us to

not criticize, judge, or lash out at others. Rather, help us to examine our own hearts and

see what you are teaching us and how you are transforming us in that moment.


1. What does it mean to have Christ Jesus in you (see v. 5)?2. What does Paul believe will happen to the Corinthians when they examine their

hearts?

3. What are ways that we can examine ourselves?

Wounded Hearts, 2 Corinthians, Booklet

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