What was going on between Paul and the Corinthian Christians?
How can we best entrust ourselves to the God of all comfort who raises the dead?
The God of All Comfort | 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 | Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians
Outline | Conversation
From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow toward us, so also our comfort through Christ overflows to you. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort that you experience in your patient endurance of the same sufferings that we also suffer. And our hope for you is steadfast because we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you will share in our comfort.
For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, regarding the affliction that happened to us in the province of Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of living. Indeed we felt as if the sentence of death had been passed against us, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. He delivered us from so great a risk of death, and he will deliver us. We have set our hope on him that he will deliver us yet again, as you also join in helping us by prayer, so that many people may give thanks to God on our behalf for the gracious gift given to us through the help of many (2 Corinthians 1:1-11).
Why do so many imagine Jesus as "sour and dour"?
What can we learn from how Jesus rejoiced and celebrated?
How can we well endure to share in joy and the hope of the final celebration?
Jesus Rejoiced | Jesus Felt
Outline | Conversation
How was Jesus tempted?
Was Jesus really tempted?
How can we take encouragement and strength from Jesus enduring temptation?
Jesus Was Tempted | Jesus Felt
Outline | Conversation
Why do we prove so uncomfortable with Jesus expressing emotion?
What can we learn and gain from Jesus' experiences of various "negative" emotions?
Jesus Wept | Jesus Felt
Outline | Conversation
Who was John the Baptist, and what was he all about?
How did John the Baptist well prepare the way of the Lord and embody the prophetic tradition?
Preparing the Way of the Lord
Outline | Conversation
How do Christians today generally talk about immodesty?
What were Paul's and Peter's concerns in terms of modesty and immodesty?
How should Christians navigate an immodest world in modest ways?
Immodesty
Outline | Conversation
Why do we talk so much about covetousness in church - but nowhere else?
How might we fall prey to covetousness and greed?
How can we well resist covetousness and greed?
Covetousness
Outline | Conversation
Why does the Bible condemn idolatry?
Is idolatry still a problem today? If so, how can we avoid it?
Idolatry
Outline | Conversation
What is going on in the Song of Solomon?
How should Christians approach and appreciate the Song of Songs?
The Song of Solomon | Books of the Bible
Outline | Conversation
How does God feel about people in poverty?
Why should Christians invest resources into helping the poor?
Helping the Poor
Outline | Conversation
How can Christians well and effectively pray?
How to Pray
Outline | Conversation
What is the Book of Ecclesiastes all about?
Is the Preacher really depressing, or can his message ironically help us better appreciate life under the sun?
The Book of Ecclesiastes | Books of the Bible
Outline | Conversation
Why should Christians strive to avoid divorce?
How can we strive to love and care for one another in marriage so to make divorce unthinkable?
Avoiding Divorce
Outline | Conversation
What has been made known in Scripture regarding our adversary?
How can we well resist him, manifesting the fruit of the Spirit, avoiding the works of the flesh?
Our Adversary
Outline | Conversation
Why would Paul want us to abhor evil and thus feel so strongly against it?
What consequences attend to sin and evil which would justify that kind of reaction?
The Consequences of Sin
Outline | Conversation
What is the Book of Proverbs all about?
How can we appropriately use the wisdom in the Book of Proverbs today?
The Book of Proverbs | Books of the Bible
Outline | Conversation
What is the ecumenical movement, or ecumenism / ecumenicalism, all about?
What is commendable about ecumenicalism?
Has ecumenicalism led to the kind of unity for which Jesus prayed?
Ecumenicalism
Outline | Conversation
How can Christians gain insight regarding teaching their children from how God intended the Israelites to teach their children?
How can we well raise children in the discipline and instruction of Jesus?
Teaching Children Diligently
Outline | Conversation
What is ignorance, and how is it a stumbling block to faith?
How can we make sure we do not prove ignorant of God in Christ intellectually, relationally, or experientially?
Stumbling Blocks to Faith: Ignorance
Outline | Conversation
Why did Paul use adoption as a metaphor for the Christian's relationship with God?
How should we understand ourselves as God's adopted children?
Adoption
Outline | Conversation