Intro

Over the next several weeks, it is our prayer that you come to love and be changed by the beautiful letter of 2 Corinthians. The Scriptures are living and active (Hebrews 4:12), meaning that God is continuing even today to use his Word to change our lives. May this be a fruitful time of study and devotion for you.

As you begin, consider these background matters:

Author 

2 Corinthians, as with a majority of the letters in the New Testament, was written by the Apostle Paul, a prominent and faithful Jew who once persecuted Christians. Acts 8:1-3, for instance, recounts Saul (his name prior to following Jesus) as he persecuted Jesus’ earliest followers. Acts 9:1-19 tells the story of his miraculous conversion. His encounter with Christ turned his life upside-down, and he became perhaps the most significant figure in early church history, penning much of the New Testament and planting many churches during his missionary journeys.

Occasion and Date

2 Corinthians is widely viewed as the most personal letter written in the New Testament, a letter Dane Ortlund says was “written with tears in the eyes.”

Paul brought the gospel to Corinth on a missionary journey you will read about in Acts 18, and from there the church in Corinth was born. He loved this church dearly, but within a couple of years it had been ravaged by sin and dysfunction. This church was messy. Paul had written and visited them previously, though issues persisted, and so Paul wrote 2 Corinthians to precede another visit.

The letter was written around A.D. 54-55, roughly two decades removed from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul desired that the Corinthians would repent from their sins and live rightly in light of the gospel, rather than to persist in opposition to the risen Christ.

Genre 

2 Corinthians is a letter, which distinguishes it from various other biblical genres (ex: narrative, poetry, law, etc.). 21 of the 27 books of the New Testament are letters, and 2 more–Acts and Revelation–contain elements of this genre throughout.

NT letters are based on the relationship between the author and recipient, mediate the presence of the author to the recipient, maintain ongoing conversation, are communal and missional in nature, provide situational application to the gospel message, and exist within the grand story of what God is doing in the world.

In light of this, we should read 2 Corinthians aware that, before it ever came to us, it existed as real-life communication between a church planter and the church. We must be careful to understand the original meaning of the text in its context before we attempt to apply its universal theological truths to our lives.

 Read

• Read 2 Cor 1:1-2 
• Read Acts 18:1-17
  
  

• Gary Millar defines an apostle as “one of the men appointed directly by the risen Christ to teach about him with authority” (Cite Millar, 2 Cor For You, 7). Why is it significant that Paul roots his apostleship in God’s will? 
• The Corinthians (and surrounding Achaian believers) are referred to as “saints.” The word literally means “holy ones,” and is often used in the New Testament to refer to followers of Jesus (see, for instance, Acts 9:13; Romans 8:27; Colossians 1:4). How can Paul refer to all believers as saints? How does this differ from a modern understanding of who is a saint? 
• In v. 2, Jesus is called “Lord” (kyrios in Greek), which is the same word used for Yahweh in the Greek Old Testament. How might the reality of Jesus being God shape our approach to 2 Corinthians? 

• If you are a Christian, Paul would call you a saint. If you don’t tend to view yourself as a saint, why? How might your life change if you begin to view yourself in this way? 
• Paul refers to the Corinthian church, with all its sin and dysfunction that we are soon to see, as “the church of God.” How does this provide you hope in times when you are struggling with sin? 
• The fact that 2 Corinthians is addressed to the church of God in Corinth, not only to individual Christians, reminds us of the importance of the church to the Christian life. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate how important the church is to your daily life? Why did you choose your number? 
• Jesus is Lord, the God of the Bible and ruler of heaven and earth. List 3 attitudes and/or actions you can do today to live out this reality. 

• Praise God for his wonderful will and desire to create saints out of sinners and a church out of broken people. 
• Repent of ways you have thought, desired, or acted in ways contrary to your identity as a saint. 
• Ask God to give you more of his grace and peace as you seek to live as a saint in the church of God. 
• Yield to God by submitting to his will and lordship over your life. 

Sermon - Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover

2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Read

• Read 2 Cor 1:3-11
• Read James 1:2-4

Examine

• The Corinthian church was infiltrated by opponents of Paul who called his apostolic ministry illegitimate because of his suffering. They reasoned that his sufferings were evidence that his ministry was not from God. How does Paul’s blessing in v.3-7 combat his opponents’ claim? 
• Paul uses the word “comfort” nine times between v.3-7. Summarize what “comfort” means according to the surrounding context of the passage. In John 14:16, Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as “Comforter” or “Helper,” using the same word as 2 Corinthians. How might the Holy Spirit’s role as comforter shed light on the word’s meaning in this context? 
• Paul writes about suffering in the context of ministry for the sake of the gospel. What are some of the implications about ministry according to this passage? How are suffering and Christian ministry related? 
• Relate this passage to James 1:2-4. How does the gospel shape the Christian perspective on how God utilizes suffering? 

Apply

• How do the nature and character of God as revealed in this passage shape our worship of him and our approach to suffering? How does suffering teach us to rely more on God? Have you ever experienced this growth in faith through suffering? 
• How might you communicate Paul’s perspective on suffering to a non-Christian who is struggling with suffering? 
• Who is a fellow Christian you know is suffering right now? Consider how you could minister to them practically today or this week. Reflect on how settings like Community Groups provide environments for you to walk with fellow believers through suffering. 
• When you suffer, do you tend to close yourself off from other Christians or, on the other hand, overrely on others for support? What might it look like for you to suffer well? 

Pray

Consider the following prayer prompts:

• Praise God for who he is revealed as in this text: the Father of mercies, God of all comfort, and deliverer. Praise him for the gospel, the reality that through Christ’s death and resurrection God is delivering you from all suffering. 
• Repent for times you have sought comfort in other gods/idols (substances, addictions, control, success, etc.) rather than the God of all comfort. 
• Name the ways you are experiencing affliction, suffering, and/or despair, asking God to show you mercy and comfort in these. Ask God to make you more like Jesus and to help you worship in the midst of these trials. 
• Resolve to follow Jesus in the midst of your struggles, yielding to God’s will, knowing that God is a trustworthy Father who meets us in our suffering and transforms it for his glorious purposes. 

Related Resources
Sermon - The God of All Comfort

2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4

Read 

• Read 2 Cor 1:12-2:4

Examine

Note the context of this passage: Paul is defending himself against opponents within the Corinthian church, seeking to establish trust. Yesterday, we saw that suffering was one reason the Corinthians were struggling to trust him–they were falsely believing a lie that suffering invalidated Paul’s ministry and was a sign of ministerial weakness. Now, Paul is defending himself against a claim that he is wishy-washy, an unreliable minister because he has changed his travel plans.

Around the time he wrote 1 Corinthians, Paul planned to visit Corinth as he returned from Macedonia, but ultimately decided on a short visit on the way to Macedonia so he could visit again on the return trip. This unscheduled first visit went poorly (see 2:1), which caused him to change his mind and not visit the second time, but to write them instead (a letter lost to history). Now, Paul is preparing to visit them again, and is writing to them again in advance of the trip, facing claims against his character.

• How does Paul appeal to his behavior to defend himself against the Corinthians’ accusations regarding his character and ministry? How does the grace of God shape his behavior?
• How might Paul’s change of plans have been a sign of his Spirit-led, gospel-focused ministry, rather than evidence that Paul is unreliable? How does commitment to the gospel above all shape Paul’s dependability and reliability? 
• In 1:17-22, Paul connects his reliability to the reliability of God, ultimately teaching that all God’s promises are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. List as many promises as you can from Scripture that God has fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. 
• What is revealed about Paul’s character and heart in 2:1-4? How does this factor into your understanding of the letter’s context? 

Apply 

• At the heart of Paul’s argument in this passage is that the Corinthians should trust him. Why and how should we trust our church leaders today? In what ways do you struggle to trust church leadership? 
• Paul’s argument is rooted in the character and trustworthiness of God. Do you struggle to trust God? Which promises of God (that are fulfilled in Christ) might help you grow to trust him more? 
• What characteristics of godly leadership can we pull from this text? How does the gospel inform your pursuit of these characteristics today? What does it look like to grow in these characteristics regardless of your leadership status? 
• Paul’s change of plans was rooted in his single-minded commitment to the gospel. Would you describe yourself as having a single-minded commitment to the gospel? What in your life are you tempted to prioritize over the gospel when it comes to your life decisions? How can you foster single-minded commitment to the gospel?  
• Compare and contrast your typical reaction to unfair criticism with Paul’s reaction. What might it look like to bring your response more in line with the gospel? 

Pray

Consider the following prayer prompts:

• Praise God for his trustworthiness and reliability, that he is a promise-keeper who does not go back on his word. Thank him for the way all his promises are fulfilled in Christ. 
• Repent of ways you have failed to trust God when you should have, and of times you have either unfairly criticized others or responded poorly to criticisms against you. Ask God to cleanse you of this sin and continue to show you his grace and mercy. 
• Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas in your life where you aren’t singularly focused on the gospel, and for him to provide you the wisdom, grace, and endurance to prioritize the gospel in all you do. 
• Yield to God by receiving the guidance of the Holy Spirit and resolving to make the appropriate changes in your life in light of the gospel. 

Related Resources
Sermon - Misunderstanding Paul

2 Corinthians 2:5-11

Read 

• Read 2 Cor 2:5-11

Examine 

Church discipline refers to the church’s responsibility to and process of addressing sin within the congregation. Discipline is less about giving church members the belt or making them sit in time out, but seeking to restore those who have been succumbing to sin. The discipline is not punitive–punishing for punishment’s sake–but restorative, desiring the repentance of the professing believer.

Jesus provides guidance on the process in Matthew 18:15-17 when he says, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two brothers along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”

The church, when practicing discipline to this full extent, is saying in effect, “We can no longer affirm that your profession of faith in Christ is credible.” This comes after much intervention, prayer, and counseling on behalf of the church’s pastors and leaders. The ultimate point, we could say, is that the church has a responsibility to expose and eradicate sin, aware that it is cancerous to the body of Christ.

• How does this text clarify the purpose of church discipline? What is this purpose? 
• How is division in the church connected to Satan’s schemes/designs? 
• What role does forgiveness play in the ongoing life of the church according to Paul?
• Given the context of the passage, what does Paul mean when he speaks of Satan’s “designs”? What would it look like for the church to be “outwitted by Satan”? 

Apply 

• What can this passage teach us about the role of community in addressing the sins of fellow believers within the community? What might it look like for you to healthily address the sins of other believers within the church? What might it look like for you to be receptive to this from other people? 
• What is your attitude about church discipline currently? How might you bring your attitude increasingly in line with the gospel?  
• How should we treat those who have gone through church discipline but are repentant and restored? How does our treatment reveal our understanding of the gospel? 
• Do you consider yourself to be a forgiving person? Why or why not? As you follow Jesus, what might help you grow into an increasingly forgiving person? 
• Are there people from whom you are withholding forgiveness? In light of this passage, what might you do to pursue forgiveness and restoration with this person? 

Pray

Consider the following prayer prompts:

• Praise God for the forgiveness and restoration he extends to us in and through the gospel of Jesus Christ. 
• Repent of any lack of willingness to forgive others or restore the repentant to community despite your experience of God’s mercy. 
• Ask God to reveal any people in your life whom you need to forgive, and ask that he instill in you the courage to speak with them and the wisdom to seek restoration healthily. 
• Yield to God’s will by continuing to pursue restoration and reconciliation, even when it is hard. 

Related Resources
Sermon - Forgiving What You Can't Forget

2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6

Read 

• Read 2 Cor 2:12-3:6

Examine 

In 2:12-13, Paul shares more background information regarding his travel plans, and how he ended up in Macedonia. Note that Paul leaves the readers on a cliffhanger until 7:5, in the space between discussing the ministry of the new covenant.

Paul thanks God, “who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession…” (v.14). This is a key phrase to understand. In Roman culture, military leaders would be given a celebratory parade, a public display of victory, after major military wins. In this metaphor, Paul is likening Christ to the victorious general and himself (and his fellow Christians) to the captive slaves that would’ve been “put on display.” In the words of commentator David Garland, “[Paul] was previously God’s enemy but is now defeated and being led to death in a display that reveals the majesty and power of God and effectively proclaims the gospel.”

• How does Paul’s use of the triumphal procession metaphor undergird his message in 2 Corinthians that true strength in Christ comes through human weakness? 
• For Paul, being led as a captive of Christ in triumphal procession results in “the fragrance of the knowledge of him” spreading everywhere (v.14). {Read Mark 4:1-20–link}, and consider how this parable of Jesus sheds light on what Paul is talking about. How is the aroma of Christ the smell of life to some, but death to others (v.14-16)? How do these verses explain different responses to the gospel message? 
• Contrast the peddlers of God’s word with those like Paul, according to v.17. 
• In 3:1-3, Paul suggests that his credibility among the Corinthians comes not from external letters of recommendation, but the Corinthians themselves, since he established this church. How are the Corinthians themselves evidence of Paul’s ministry and credibility before God? 
• The word “sufficient” shows up three times in 3:4-6 (and another time in 2:16). Explain Paul’s argument in your own words; what does it mean to be “sufficient,” and how does one become sufficient? 
• Using Ezekiel 36:27 {link} and Jeremiah 31:31-34 {link} as references, what does Paul mean in 3:6 when he contrasts the letter and the Spirit? 

Apply 

• Though Paul ultimately left Troas for Macedonia because of his concern for the Corinthians, when he was there, he knew that “a door was opened” for the preaching of the gospel. How can you be aware if there is a door opened to preach the gospel? Are there any areas of your life where you know a door is open in the Lord and you need to take it? 
• Paul’s metaphors of the triumphal procession and aroma of Christ suggest that Christians are slaves of God who represent him to the world. How might you embody this reality today? What might it look like for you to live in surrender to Christ today? 
• Often, Christians can struggle with feelings of inadequacy. How does God’s sufficiency equip us for ministry? 
• If Christians are “ministers of a new covenant,” how does this shape your identity as a follower of Jesus? If all Christians are to serve as ministers in some capacity, what steps could you take to grow in this capacity?

Pray

Consider the following prayer prompts:

• Praise God that he has defeated your rebellion against him, that he is leading you in triumphal procession. Praise him for the gospel, that he has made you sufficient and is equipping you as a minister of the new covenant. 
• Repent of times you have rebelled against God, seeking to establish your own sufficiency apart from Christ. Ask God to forgive you for any unconcern you may have about your identity and role as a minister of the new covenant. 
• Ask that God would demonstrate the gospel more and more through your life, that your life would be a pleasing aroma to God and would be a fragrance “from life to life” for the living. Intercede on behalf of non-believers in your life, that God would lead them to salvation through the aroma of your life. 
• Yield to God in surrender, remembering that you are a captive in Christ’s triumphal procession. Rather than living from your own strength today, seeking to live as you desire, reorient your will and heart and mind to live in surrender to Christ. 

Related Resources
Sermon - God Doesn't Waste Suffering

2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Read 

• Read 2 Cor 3:7-18
• For background context, read Exodus 34:29-35

Examine

• Reflecting on the context of Exodus 34, what is the relationship between sin and Moses’ veil? How does this background inform our reading of this passage? 
• Compare and contrast the Old Testament ministry of Moses and the ministry of the Spirit according to this passage. Why does Paul argue that new-covenant ministry is more glorious than old-covenant ministry? 
• How does Paul use this comparison of the old and new covenants as part of his larger point to validate his apostolic ministry? 
• If the veil is used symbolically to speak of a hardened heart–the veil serving as a barrier between people and God–what is the solution according to Paul? 
• What does it mean to behold the glory of God with unveiled faces? What is the result of this ongoing beholding?

Apply 

• What does this passage call you to believe about God? 
• How does this passage challenge us to know the Scriptures deeply? What is the relationship between our ministry and our handling of Scripture? How can we grow in this? 
• V.18 teaches that becoming like Jesus is an ongoing process (sanctification–the process of becoming holy), not just a single moment of transformation. What are some implications for Christians individually and communally?
• What are some of the ways God transforms us more and more into the image of Christ? What role do we play in this transformation? 
• Reflect on your own growth in Christ. List 3 areas of your life you see yourself becoming more like Jesus than before. 

Pray

Consider the following prayer prompts:

• Praise God, if you are a Christian, that he has removed the veil from your heart as you turned to the Lord in faith. Praise him that you can experience freedom and transformation in the Spirit. 
• Pray to the Holy Spirit to reveal any ways you may be fighting against your sanctification and transformation. Repent of this disobedience. 
• Ask for patience, strength, endurance, and wisdom for your sanctification. Request that God, through his Holy Spirit, would show you areas of your life that need to be brought into greater conformity with Christ. 
• Yield to the Holy Spirit by beholding the glory of the Lord today, experiencing the available freedom in His presence. 

Related Resources
Sermon - The Life Transforming Gospel

2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Read 

• Read 2 Cor 4:1-18

Examine

• According to v.1-4, why do nonbelievers reject the gospel? Why might Paul refer to Satan here as “the god of this world”? 
• Summarizing the message of v.1-6, why does Paul believe Christians shouldn’t lose heart? How do v.16-18 factor into this notion of not losing heart? 
• Gary Millar refers to the “jars of clay” in v.7 as “ancient supermarket plastic bags.” What is Paul’s point, then, in v.7-10 about God’s purpose in human weakness? 
• What is the relationship between ministry and suffering? 
• How can Paul refer to earthly suffering as “light momentary affliction” without invalidating the pain of suffering? 

Apply 

• If “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers,” what is the Christian’s role and responsibility in evangelism? How should we share the gospel? 
• What are some of the practical implications of v.5 for how you engage in ministry today?
• How can an idolatrous pursuit of comfort stunt Christian growth? Does comfort ever distract you from growing as a follower of Jesus? How can you reject the worship of comfort (without chasing suffering in an unbiblical way)? 
• How does this passage inform the way you think about your life in this present age? 
• How does the gospel provide real hope for Christians as our bodies are dying? 
• What truths resonate most with you from this passage as reasons to press on and not lose heart in the Christian life? How can you live out these truths more and more?

Pray

Consider the following prayer prompts:

• Praise God that he is powerful when you are not; that despite great suffering, the life of Jesus is manifested in your body; that your inner self is being renewed day by day. 
• Repent of any idolatrous pursuit of comfort, turning away from false idols to worship of the true Lord. 
• Ask God to help you look to the eternal more than to the temporary, that he might strengthen you to endure the breaking down of your body, and to spiritually discern the renewal you are experiencing in your “inner self.” 
• If you find yourself fighting against the wasting away of your body, or avoiding the suffering that comes with following Jesus, yield to God in trust and embrace what he has for you today. 

Related Resources
Sermon - Keep Thinking About The Shore

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Read 

• Read 2 Cor 5:1-10

Examine

• In v.1-4, Paul uses the language of a “tent” to speak of bodies that will die. According to these verses, how does Christ’s resurrection affect our future bodies? What point is Paul making here?

The “intermediate state” refers to the state of believers between their death and the second coming of Christ when he finally renews the whole cosmos. In Luke 23:43, for instance, we see Jesus tell the thief on the cross that he would be with him that very day in paradise. But this must be an in-between state since the thief died prior to Jesus’ second coming and the renewal of the cosmos.

Notice that this may sound like the common, but unbiblical teaching of a state called “purgatory.” Some Christians mistakenly believe that there is a temporary punishment Christians undergo, a purifying and penal suffering before they can enter heaven. This is not what Paul is referring to here. Rather, he speaks of the temporary state of Christians post-death as they are with God, awaiting their future bodies and the advent of eternity.

• To be “away from the body and at home with the Lord” refers to the time between when present believers die and the future resurrection of all believers’ bodies when Christ returns. Why does Paul say we’d rather be in this state? Summarize Paul’s point in v.6-8. 
• V. 7 connects our future reality in Christ to the way Christians should live in the present–“we walk by faith, not by sight.” Recognizing that biblical faith is trusting God based on his character and actions, what might it look like for Christians to walk by faith in daily life? 

In v.10, Paul relates Christian obedience to their future judgment, saying, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” While the Bible certainly speaks of future judgment for all–believers and nonbelievers–this passage specifically refers to the future judgment of believers (note Paul’s use of “we” 17 times in this passage, all in reference to believers).

It is imperative to recognize, though, that this judgment is not to determine whether or not Christians will spend eternity in heaven. 1) Paul’s flow of argument in v.1-10 suggests that our obedience flows out of our confidence in salvation 2) Texts like Galatians 2:16 make clear that our right standing with God comes from faith in Christ, not our ability to obey God enough.

Rather, this judgment is an evaluation for rewards.

• If believers will receive different degrees of rewards in heaven for their obedience, how does this challenge and motivate believers to live in the present? 

Apply 

• How does this passage—which affirms that Christians will have glorified, heavenly bodies for eternity—form the way we treat, talk about, and understand our bodies now? How do you tend to think about your body, and what would it look like for you to think about and treat your body in light of this text? 
• V.5 reveals that the Holy Spirit has been given to us by God as a “down payment,” a guarantee of what’s to come. When you struggle with doubt as you follow Jesus, how might this truth help you combat doubt? 
• What might it look like for you to “make it [your] aim to please him” in your life today and this week? Do you tend to think about your life much in terms of whether or not it is pleasing to God? 
• If someone witnessed your life–public and private–for a week, would they conclude that you live in light of eternity, or that you live without attention to your future in Christ? What can you do today to work towards living in light of eternity? 

Pray

Consider the following prayer prompts:

• Praise God for the wonder that he is redeeming creation through the gospel, that you have a real hope for a glorified body eternity. Praise him for giving the Holy Spirit as a down payment of what is to come. 
• Repent of ways you live to please yourself and others instead of Christ. 
• Ask God to help you keep your eyes fixed on eternity, living in light of your promised future in Christ. 
• Yield to God by living faithfully, trusting that pleasing God is more valuable than pleasing man. 

Related Resources
Sermon - So What?

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Read 

• Read 2 Cor 5:11-21

Examine

• The word “therefore” in v.11 connects this passage to the previous one, showing that followers of Jesus are given a new motivation for our lives. What is this new motivation? 
• Tim Keller explains that “To fear the Lord is to be overwhelmed with wonder before the greatness of God... It means that, because of his bright holiness, you find him “fearfully beautiful.” How does this motivation relate to v.16, that Christ’s love is another source of motivation in the Christian life? What does it mean for the love of Christ to “control” believers (v.14)?
• What does it mean for Christians to be a “new creation” (v.17)? 
• Explain the gospel message as taught in v.18-21. What does it mean to be “reconciled” to God? How did God make Jesus “to be sin,” and what does it mean for Christians to “become the righteousness of God” (v.21)?
• The gospel gives people a new calling as “ambassadors” (v.20). Ambassadors are to represent Christ to the world. Why are Christians given this calling to bring the gospel to the lost? 

Apply 

•  V.17 says that all believers are new creations in Christ. Why does this truth matter in times when you don’t feel a new creation? How does awareness of this new identity in Christ help you reject identifying in other things (For example: “I’m just an alcoholic…”)? 
• How does your identity as an ambassador for Christ shape the way we live? Would you say you’re living according to this identity? How might you grow this week in your calling as a representative of the gospel? If you aren’t sure how to share the gospel with others, who can you ask for help? 
• What does the communal nature of our salvation and identity in Christ teach us about our identity as ambassadors? How can we as a community be ambassadors together? 

Pray

Consider the following prayer prompts:

• Praise God for the beauty of the gospel, that Christ has taken our sin on the cross in order that we might be reconciled to God. Praise him that you have been made into a new creation in Christ. 
• Repent of any unconcern with your new identity and calling in Christ as a new creation and ambassador of the gospel. 
• Ask God to motivate and equip you to live into your identity and calling in Christ, providing you with opportunities to bring the message of reconciliation to non-Christians in your life. 
• Yield to God by keeping your eyes and ears open, even today, for opportunities to live into your calling as an ambassador. 

Related Resources
Sermon - Be True to Your (New) Self

2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Read 

• Read 2 Cor 6:1-13

Examine 

When Paul exhorts the Corinthians “not to receive the grace of God in vain” (v.1), he is not suggesting that true believers can lose their salvation. Rather, he is challenging them to not waste what the Lord has done for them.

• What is the significance of Paul’s quotation of Isaiah 49:8, a word from God to Israel in exile, in v.2? What is the essential message Paul communicates in v.1-2? 
• Work through the hallmarks of true gospel ministry according to v.3-10. How does this depiction of ministry differ from the Corinthians’ expectations and values?
• Paul’s love for the Corinthians is clear in v.11-13. How does this love shape an understanding of this whole letter?
• How does Paul connect the Corinthians’ reconciliation to God (5:18-21) to his desire for them to be reconciled to himself (v.11-13)?

Apply 

• How can you ensure you don’t receive the grace of God in vain?
• What sticks out from Paul’s depiction of ministry in v.3-10? How does this compare to some of the ways you see ministry done today? Which of the hallmarks of true gospel ministry is most evident in your life? Which is most absent, and how might you embrace this hallmark more? 
• What does this passage teach Christians to expect from earthly life? How can you have ongoing hope and joy throughout these struggles? What struggles have you endured that help you relate to this text? 
• How can you live out this passage faithfully without gravitating toward the extremes (avoiding suffering at all costs on the one hand, pursuing suffering at all costs on the other)? 

Pray

Consider the following prayer prompts:

• Praise God that he has bestowed his grace upon you. Consider the reality of your sin and the necessity of God’s grace for your salvation. Meditate for a few moments on the beauty of God in your salvation. 
• Repent from ways you have “wasted” the grace of God in your life. 
• Ask God to align your personal ministry as a follower of Jesus to be more like the ministry seen in v.3-10. Intercede for those who aren’t believers in your life, recognizing that “now is the day of salvation,” praying that God would save them. 
• Yield to God by “working together” with God, rather than striving against him in your life. 

Related Resources
Sermon - Authentic Ambassadors

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

Read 

• Read 2 Cor 6:14-7:1

Examine

In order to understand this text, we must grasp the significance of the temple in biblical thought. The central problem of the Bible is that God longs to dwell in loving harmony with his creation, but sin has separated God from his people. How God solves this problem is the whole storyline of the Bible, and we can summarize the solution in one word: temple.

God instructed the Jews of the Old Testament to build a tabernacle, a portable temple, in order to dwell with his people (link Exodus 25:8). God’s presence dwelled in the tabernacle, but access was limited and required various steps of cleansing in order to go inside. Eventually, once the Jews were in the promised land of Israel, they built a large temple so God could be present with his people (link 1 Kings 8:11). Israel’s ongoing, unrepentant sin, though, led to God’s presence leaving the temple and the temple being destroyed by Israel’s enemies.

The good news of the gospel is that Jesus fulfills the temple narrative in Scripture–John 1:14 declares that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us [literally: tabernacled among us]…” Jesus is the temple on two feet, the presence of God made manifest on earth.

Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection made a way to totally restore a sinful creation to our holy God, which is why the temple curtain that symbolically separated man from God’s presence was torn at Jesus’ death (link Matthew 27:51). And finally, as we see in Revelation 21:3 and 21:22, there is no need for a physical temple building in eternity because we will dwell with God forever, free from sin as was initially intended.

• In light of the temple theme in Scripture, recognize the significance of Paul referring to Christians as “the temple of the living God” (v.16). Together, Christians constitute and represent the presence of God on earth. How is this possible? What does this look like in actuality? 

The key command in this passage is v.14– “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” For background on this metaphor, read Leviticus 19:19 and Deuteronomy 22:10 {link}. If you were tied to Usain Bolt in a 3-legged race, you likely wouldn’t be successful because of how different you two are. Incongruity stifles the ability to fulfill God-given mission and purpose as the temple of God.

• In what ways might Christians be “unequally yoked” with non-Christians? 
• How do the five rhetorical questions in v.14-16 build out Paul’s argument. What is Paul teaching about the relationship between Christians and non-Christians. What is he not teaching? 
•  How do the citations of Old Testament texts like Leviticus 26:11-12, Isaiah 52:11, and 2 Samuel 7:14 {link all 3} function in Paul’s argument? 
• Paul invokes the Old Testament to suggest that holiness isn’t outdated or irrelevant now that Jesus has died for sin. To be holy is literally to be “set apart.” What is the reason we should continue to care about holiness, according to 7:1? Why should Christians care about living “set apart” lives?  

Apply 

• If the temple is the place where God’s presence is most manifest on earth, what are some practical implications that believers are now the temple of God on earth? How should this shape our lives and actions? 
• Surrounding context (for instance, the call to be ambassadors for Christ in 5:20) reveals that v.14 absolutely cannot mean that Christians should avoid all contact with non-Christians. What are some legitimate applications, then, to the command in v.14? Are there areas of your life where you are allowing light to have fellowship with darkness? How can you pursue holiness through appropriate separation? 
• Do you pursue holiness in your life? If so, what does this look like? If not, what steps could you take this week to begin intentionally pursuing holiness? 

Pray

Consider the following prayer prompts:

• Praise God that he has made you, together with fellow Christians, into the temple of the living God, that he has become a Father to you through the gospel. 
• Repent of ways you have compromised holiness in your life, ways that you have tolerated fellowship with the darkness inappropriately.
• Ask God to give you a fervor and desire for holiness, that through the Holy Spirit you would have wisdom for how to separate yourself from relationships and circumstances where you are “unequally yoked” with unbelievers. Pray that God would use your obedience as a powerful testimony to the lost of both the unimaginable holiness of God and also his unending grace. 
• Yield to God by submitting your will to his, committing to obey him even when it is difficult or unpopular. 

Related Resources
Sermon - The Gospel According to The Temple 

2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Read 

• Read 2 Cor 7:2-16

Examine

• How do integrity and ministry fit together in v.1-4?
• What does this passage teach about the reality of joy in ministry?
• Paul experienced much distress as he awaited Titus’ report of the Corinthians’ spiritual health. What are the reasons Paul was eventually comforted according to this text? 
• How does Paul’s joy in this passage relate to his intensity in the first six chapters? 
• Compare and contrast godly grief and worldly grief. Why is worldly grief inadequate? 

Apply 

• Paul teaches in v.6 that God comforts the downcast. When is a time you have experienced the comfort of God? 
• How can you practically know the difference between worldly grief and godly grief? What is a time you experienced worldly grief that didn’t ultimately reflect true grief and repentance? Compare this with a time you experienced godly grief.
• What should ongoing repentance look like in the Christian life? How can you embrace a daily, consistent posture of turning away from sin and turning to God in faith? How does the gospel make repentance both possible and bearable? 
• The repentance in this passage is communal, focused on the life of the church and not merely the individuals. What might communal repentance look like today?
• What applications can you draw from Paul’s experience confronting the sin of the Corinthians? How can you be careful to not misapply this passage? What might it look like for you to confront sin appropriately in the lives of other believers, and for you to receive this confrontation well? 

Pray

Consider the following prayer prompts:

• Praise God that he is a God who comforts the downcast, that he is dependable and a trustworthy rock when we are struggling. 
• Reflecting on the difference between worldly grief and godly grief, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any examples in your life where you have displayed worldly grief instead of godly grief, and repent appropriately. 
• Ask that God would give you the wisdom and discernment to know when you are headed down the road of worldly grief, which produces death. Pray for any believers you know who are struggling with sin, asking that God would show them grace and lead them to true repentance. 
• Yield to God by submitting to any consequences or discipline that result from your sin, knowing that your true repentance leads to salvation and eternal life. 

Related Resources
Sermon - Authentic Reconciliation 

2 Corinthians 8

Read

• Read 2 Cor 8:1-24

Examine 

• Paul references an ongoing contribution from Gentile churches to the poor Christians in Jerusalem (see 1 Cor. 16:1-4; Gal. 2:9-10–LINK). How did this affect unity among the early church? 
• Why does Paul tell the Corinthians about the generous Macedonian churches? Was he guilting them into generosity?
• Why/how does the gospel produce generosity (v.8-9)?
• What is Paul’s point in v.11-15?
• Paul commends Titus and two unnamed believers in v.16-24. How does this fit within the flow of this passage? 

Apply 

• In Pastor Jake’s sermon, he outlined 3 principles about generosity based on this text: generosity flows out of sacrifice, not surplus (v.12-15); generosity is a privilege (v.4-5); generosity flows out of the gospel (v.8-9). Which of these 3 sticks out to you most, and why? 
• List as many barriers as you can think of that would prevent you from pursuing faithful generosity. How can you fight against these barriers? 
• What does your relationship to money reveal about your understanding of the gospel and worship of Jesus? 
• Consider your current state of giving. Do you give generously to the local church? If not, why? If so, what are some practical ways you can continue to grow in the practice of gospel generosity? 

Pray

Consider the following prayer prompts:

• Praise God for the gospel, that though Christ was rich, for your sake he became poor that you might become rich. 
• Repent of any un-generosity in your heart, any ways you have withheld from God and his church resources that were his to begin with. 
• Ask God for wisdom to steward your resources well to the glory of God and for the benefit of the local church. 
• Yield to God by loosening your grip on your material possessions and acting in faithfulness according to the text. 

Related Resources
Sermon - Generosity FOMO 

2 Corinthians 9

Read

• Read 2 Cor 9:1-15

Examine

• Summarize the context of v.1-5 based on what you know from chapter 8.
• What is the purpose of the maxim in v.6, that “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully”? 
• Paul quotes Psalm 112:9 in v.9 (LINK). How does this advance the argument he’s making?
• What truths about God are highlighted in this passage, and how does his character relate to the practice of generosity?
• For what purpose does God enrich the Corinthians in every way for them to be generous in every way (v.11-15)?

Apply

• What might your approach to your finances reveal about your beliefs about God? 
• Does v.7 mean that Christians who don’t feel like being generous are exempt from this responsibility? Why or why not? What should you do if you lack a desire to be generous? 
• V.11 is a promise that God will sustain his people, not a blanket guarantee of material prosperity and wealth. How should you live in light of this reality? 
• How can your ongoing generosity be a significant part of your growth as a disciple of Jesus? How does the practice help you love God, love people, and impact the world more? 
• What might it look like for you to rebel against materialism? 

Pray

Consider the following prayer prompts:

• Praise God for his “inexpressible gift,” the surpassing grace of God that has been lavished upon you. 
• Repent of any unwillingness to supply for the needs of fellow saints, and of any un-cheerfulness in your heart when it comes to giving. 
• Ask God to make you a cheerful giver, to have the eyes to see how your generosity works toward the glory of God. 
• Yield to God by faithfully giving in response to the gospel. 

Related Resources
Generosity FOMO: Episode 2

2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Read 

• Read 2 Cor 10:1-18

Examine 

Here, we enter the final major section of 2 Corinthians, a section that spans chapters 10-13. Paul addresses the opposition again directly and gives a final exhortation to the Corinthians ahead of his visit.

Remember: Paul started this church in Corinth. But after he left, this new group of ministers showed up who seemed quite impressive, more outwardly impressive than Paul. They were powerful and eloquent and accomplished and some of the Corinthians jumped on the bandwagon and started following them instead, rebelling against Paul’s leadership.

• Paul repeatedly appeals to his authority over the Corinthians in this letter. How does he have this authority, and why does he appeal to it in this passage? 
• For the first time in this letter Paul directly references his opponents, addressing some of their many criticisms against him. What are the criticisms, and how does he defend his ministry in this text?
• The phrase “take every thought captive to obey Christ” (v.5) is common in Christian circles, but the surrounding context is less familiar. Within the context of v.3-6, what argument is Paul making? 
• The theme of boasting runs through v.13-17. What is the main point in this section?
• How does the citation of Jeremiah 9:23-24 {LINK} inform our understanding of the passage?
• How does Paul view the “comparison game” among various ministers/ministries? Why is self-commendation futile in Paul’s sight (v.18)?
• How does Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection shape our understanding of what makes a leader great?  

Apply 

• How does this passage inform the way you respond when your reputation is unfairly attacked? What would a Christlike response look like? How is this similar or different from how you’ve responded in previous instances? 
• What are some ways you tend to compare yourself with others in the Christian life? How, specifically, is the gospel our solution to these comparisons?
• How can this passage help you rightly evaluate a church you are considering joining in membership or an individual minister/teacher you are learning from? What does Paul teach us to prioritize and value most highly? 
• Reflecting on Jeremiah 9:23-24, how can someone understand and know God, and how can they boast in this reality? 
• Paul suggests that true leaders are like Jesus. Everyone is a leader in some capacity; how can you become more like Jesus in your leadership? 

Pray

Consider the following prayer prompts:

• Praise God that we can boast in him because of the gospel. 
• Repent of any ways you lead others that contradict the way Christ leads, or any ways you have submitted yourself under leaders who are not Christlike. 
• Ask God to help you become more like Jesus in your leadership and to better discern which leaders to follow. 
• Yield to God by submitting yourself to faithful leaders and by acting as a faithful leader in your own spheres of influence. 

Related Resources
Sermon - Lead Like Jesus

2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Read 

• Read 2 Cor 11:1-15

Examine

• Why were the Corinthians so quick to abandon the true gospel (v.4)? 
• What is the danger, according to Paul’s words in v.1-4, of falling for a fake Jesus? 
• In v.7-11, Paul defends his previous decision to not accept financial support from the Corinthians while ministering in Corinth, a decision that offended the Corinthians. Why might this have offended them? 
• Paul uses extreme language in v.13-15 to denounce these “super apostles,” false ministers who have put themselves on a pedestal undeservingly. What is the significance of Paul connecting them to Satan (v.3, 14-15)? 

Apply 

• List as many counterfeit versions of Jesus as you can think of–distorted versions of the true Christ that people worship instead of the real Jesus.
• Which counterfeit version of Jesus is most tempting for you to fall prey to? How can you ensure you’re staying faithful to the real Jesus? 
• Do you ever feel that your thoughts are being “led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ (v.3)? How can you respond in these circumstances? 
• Why do Christians struggle with believing lies even after becoming Christians? What lies are you specifically tempted to believe, and what effect do they have on your life? 
• What hope can we take from this passage when we’re discouraged by the deceit of false teachers?

Pray

Consider the following prayer prompts:

• Praise God for his justice–that Satan and his servants, who disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, will experience the perfect wrath of God. Meditate on God’s holiness and justice, celebrating that God protects his people and finally defeats all evil. 
• Repent of any false gospels you have embraced, any versions of Jesus that undermine true Christianity in order to make you more comfortable or wealthy or whatever else. 
• Ask that God would give you wisdom to discern false teachers and false gospels so that you might wholeheartedly reject them and embrace instead the true Jesus. 
• Yield to the Lord by embracing a sincere and pure devotion to Christ, by not putting up with different gospels preached to you than the one true gospel. 

Related Resources
Sermon - Following The Real Jesus

2 Corinthians 11:16-33

Read 

• Read 2 Cor 11:16-33

Examine

• Compare and contrast Paul’s boasting with that of the “super apostles”?
• What are some of the ways the “super apostles” mistreated the Corinthian believers (v.20)? 
• Why does Paul choose to boast in his weaknesses instead of his successes? 
• In what ways is the message of Christ crucified present in this passage? How does the self-serving promotion of the “super apostles” directly contradict the message of the gospel?  
• How does this text help form a theology of suffering in the Christian life? 

Apply 

• Do you tend to brag about and find your identity in your strengths and successes? If so, why? What effect do you think this is having on your soul? On your discipleship? 
• What might it look like to boast of the things that show your weaknesses? How can you boast in them without glorifying the weaknesses themselves? 
• What do you learn about the nature of Christian discipleship from Paul’s life? How does Christian community help you face the sufferings that accompany following Jesus?
• How should you apply this text in the realm of ministry and leadership?  
• How does this passage inform the way you view, relate to, and evaluate leaders in your life? 

Pray

Consider the following prayer prompts:

• Praise God, who is blessed forever, for carrying you through your weaknesses. 
• Repent of any prideful boasting in your strengths. 
• Ask God for patient and faithful endurance through the sufferings that accompany the Christian life. 
• Yield to God by receiving the circumstances God places you in without grumbling, but with the desire and intention to glorify him. 

Related Resources 
Sermon - Fool's Gold

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Read 

• Read 2 Cor 12:1-10

Examine

Remember the context in this section. Paul is defending himself against these ministers he calls the “super apostles” who have come into the Corinthian church and are trashing him. He’s hesitant to get into a comparison game with them and you can sense some of the awkward tension here.

These false leaders are boasting about all of the amazing things they’ve done, and Paul says all that bragging really doesn’t accomplish anything. But he also sees that the Corinthians are being led away from Jesus, so he feels like he doesn’t have a choice but to start boasting about himself so they won’t be led astray.

One of the things these false leaders boasted of were revelations they claimed to receive from God. In this passage, Paul responds by saying something to the effect of, “Well, I didn’t want to go there, but I have to! If you want to talk visions and revelations, we can talk visions and revelations!”

• In v.2-4, Paul describes in the third-person a heavenly experience where he was brought into the presence of God in heaven (the “third heaven” refers to the presence of God). He chooses not to boast in this experience, but rather in his weakness through a thorn in his flesh. How does Paul’s stance differ from those who appealed to their own experiences to validate themselves to the Corinthians? 

Paul speaks of a “thorn in the flesh” given to him in order to keep him from being conceited. Though speculations abound, no one knows exactly what the thorn was. Some think it was something physical, such as failing eyesight. Others believe it was more spiritual, such as a sin struggle he couldn’t control. But we don’t know for sure.

• Why might Paul have refrained from writing exactly what the thorn in his flesh was? What is the value or purpose in ambiguity? 
• V.7 indicates that, though it was a “messenger of Satan,” the thorn was sovereignly given to Paul by God. Why would God allow this? 
• How is God’s power made perfect in weakness?
• What is Paul’s reasoning for boasting gladly in his weaknesses? How does his perspective shape a Christian understanding of weakness and suffering? 

Apply 

• What are some of the “thorns” you experience in the Christian life? 
• Name a time that God used a thorn to keep you from being conceited and help you rely on his power. How can this past experience help you in the future? 
• What weaknesses do you struggle most to embrace and experience the grace of God in? What would it look like for you to see God’s power in the midst of your weaknesses? 
• How does this passage encourage you to trust God? 
• What role should community play in how you navigate suffering? 

Pray

Consider the following prayer prompts:

• Praise God for his sufficient grace, that his power is made perfect in weakness, and that you may experience the power of Christ. 
• Considering God’s choice to not remove the thorn from Paul’s flesh despite his pleading, repent of any unfair grumbling or complaining when God has chosen to not change a situation in your life that you wanted him to change. 
• Ask God to remove any thorns in your life causing you pain, but likewise asking for strength to choose contentment if God does not remove the thorn. Ask God to reveal more of his power in your life through your weaknesses. 
• Yield to God by choosing contentment, even today, in potentially undesirable circumstances or sufferings you find yourself in. 

Related Resources
Sermon - Third Heaven and Thorns

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Read 

• Read 2 Cor 12:11-21

Examine

• Recall that Paul is defending himself to the Corinthians against the attacks of false apostles. Look at his use of sarcasm in v.11-13 to communicate that he, not the false apostles, has authority in their lives. In what ways does Paul argue that he has authority over the Corinthians, not the false apostles? 
• What do v.14-21 communicate about a godly leader’s heart? What are godly leaders like, and how should they lead? 
• V.19 reveals that godly leaders are concerned with the spiritual formation of the church, for the church’s upbuilding. How has 2 Corinthians revealed Paul’s concern for their spiritual formation? 
• What do v.20-21 teach about the severity of sin and unrepentance? 

Apply 

• How does Paul’s description of godly leadership compare to Christian leaders you’ve experienced? If Christian leaders today lived more in line with this passage, what might change in modern churches? What might stay the same? 
• Pastors and godly leaders are to be committed to the spiritual upbuilding of the church. You can think of pastors as spiritual doctors who work for your health in Christ by running tests, diagnosing problems, and prescribing medicine for your healing. What is one way you could submit more willingly to godly leaders, trusting them to work toward your formation into Christ’s image? 
• V.20-21 demonstrate the severity of sin and the necessity of repentance. Are there any sinful desires or actions you have not repented of that you need to turn away from? Confess these to God and turn toward him, away from your sin. 

Pray

Consider the following prayer prompts:

• Praise Christ that he is a kind, gentle, and firm Lord–that despite the many examples of bad authority figures, Christ is the model and proof of good, godly leadership. 
• Repent of any unwillingness or stubbornness in submitting to godly leadership as established by Christ. Likewise, repent of any unwillingness or stubbornness in ultimately submitting to Christ as Lord. 
• Ask God to establish more godly leaders, to protect and equip and support them as they lead the flock. If you have struggled under bad examples of authority, ask that God would bring healing and restoration to you and that he will provide godly authority figures for you. 
• Yield by resolving to submit to the authority of Christ in your life today, and to the godly leadership of pastors and other gospel leaders in your life. 

Related Resources
Sermon - The Heart of a Pastor

2 Corinthians 13:1-14

Read 

• Read 2 Cor 13:1-14

Examine 

• Paul cites Deuteronomy 19:15 as he begins to conclude this letter in preparation for his third visit to Corinth. Summarize his point in v.1-2. 
• How do weakness and power (v.3-4) relate to the Corinthians’ sin that Paul is addressing? 

V. 5 is a famous verse, but must be read within the context of the letter. As a massively important caveat, when Paul calls the Corinthians to examine whether or not they’re in the faith (whether or not they’re truly Christians), he assumes that the answer for the vast majority will be, “Yes!” The Corinthian church was certainly riddled with sin, but Paul still assumed the reality of their faith all throughout the letter (for example, he refers to them as “brothers” in v.11 and “saints” in 1:1 {LINK}, both being terms for Christians).

So when Paul calls the Corinthians to test themselves, he believes most of the audience will pass the test, though it is likely that some within the church believe they are Christians when in fact they are not.

The test, then, is not meant to cause true Christians undue spiritual turmoil or anxiety, but rather to rouse to reality the person who has never truly trusted in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and turned to him in faith for eternal life. True Christians still struggle with sin, but should be–over the long haul–looking more and more like Jesus. True Christians not only say they believe and follow Jesus, but have lives that testify to this reality.

• How would Paul’s ministry be approved/validated if the Corinthians passed the test?    
• Note the presence of the Trinity in v.14. How do the final verses (v.11-14) conclude 2 Corinthians well? What do the Corinthians ultimately need as they seek to follow Jesus faithfully? 

Apply 

• How should Paul’s challenge to the Corinthians to “test yourselves” be applied today? What should you do if you test yourself and fail? How should this test provide confidence, not anxiety, for true believers? 
• How can you, in the context of Christian community, help others “test” themselves? 
• Paul’s love for the Corinthians drove him to call them to holiness and repentance. How does this teach Christians how to love one another well? What might it look like to confront sin in others in a loving and Christlike way? 
• The commands in v.11 can be summarized by one command: pursue unity. What can you practically do to pursue unity among those in your community? Is there anyone with whom you are experiencing disunity? What can you do to pursue gospel reconciliation with them? 

Pray

Consider the following prayer prompts:

• Praise God for his grace and love and fellowship that we experience because of the gospel. Celebrate the beautiful reality “that Jesus Christ is in you,” knowing this is only the work of God and nothing we could accomplish ourselves. 
• Repent of any sin that would keep you from experiencing the fullness of fellowship with God or peace and unity with the church. 
• Ask God for confidence and clarity as you test yourself. 
• Yield to God, submitting to him as Lord today and experiencing freedom in his presence. 

Related Resources
Sermon - Do You Pass The Test?

Conclusion

We pray that your journey through 2 Corinthians over the last several weeks has been illuminating, challenging, and encouraging. As you have interacted deeply with the gospel and its implications for your life, we pray that you are strengthened to continue on in your journey to become more like Jesus. 

As this plan comes to a close, we invite you into a time of summary and reflection. 

READ 

Make time to read through all of 2 Corinthians in one or two sittings (this should take roughly 45 minutes). Or, if you’d like, listen to the book on audio–still in one or two sittings.

This serves two primary purposes. 1) Though we may spend three weeks reading through 2 Corinthians, it’s helpful to remember that this is a letter that would’ve been read out loud to the Corinthians in one sitting. Reading in this way helps us to see the message of the book in broad, sweeping strokes. 2) Reading through the whole book after studying it over three weeks helps you remember big takeaways and pertinent applications. 

REFLECT 

• What insights particularly stick out to you as you reflect on the whole of 2 Corinthians? What truths do you need to remember? 
• What applications stand out as most relevant for you in your current season? What do you need to continue to reflect upon and consider how to implement or change in your life? 
• Who can you share these takeaways with?