2 CORINTHIANS: THE PURITY OF PAUL'S MINISTRY - A Survey of the Bible
2 Corinthians: Discipline of a Church
A Survey of the Bible
2 Corinthians Chart - Wilson
The Message and Intent of 2 Corinthians - George Guthrie
2 Corinthians: An Historical Narrative - George Guthrie
Paul and the Corinthians - Paul Barnett
The Importance of 2 Corinthians - Paul Barnett
Context: Who, Where, When, and Why?
• Who composed 2 Corinthians?
• Who was the original audience of 2 Corinthians?
• When and where was 2 Corinthians written?
• Why was Paul writing?
Content: How and What?
• How is 2 Corinthians organized?
Salutation: The God of All Comfort (1:1-7)
Historical Background: The Integrity of Paul’s Ministry (1:9-2:13)
Main Idea: "We Speak before God with Sincerity!" (2:14-17)
Apologetic: Explanation of Paul's Ministry (3:1-7:16)
• Commended by Covenant Ministry (3:1-18)
• Commended by Suffering in Ministry (4:1-5:10)
• Commended by Ministry of Reconciliation (5:11-6:2)
• Commended by Personal Ministry Faithfulness (6:3-7:16)
Challenge: Exhortation to Give (8:1-9:15)
• Generosity Encouraged by Examples (8:1-9)
• Generosity Encouraged by Practical Advice (8:10-9:5)
• Generosity Encouraged by the Rewards of Giving (9:6-15)
Justification: Defense of Paul’s Authority (10:1-13:4)
• Apostolic Authority (10:1-18)
• Apostolic Credentials (11:1-13:4)
Conclusion: Summary, Exhortation, and Benediction (13:5-14)
• What is the message of 2 Corinthians?
Conviction: So What?
• Where does 2 Corinthians fit?
- 2 Corinthians is Paul’s fifth communication with this troubled
congregation after he planted the church and ministered in Corinth for a year and a half (Acts 18).
- The book is full of personal detail and pastoral concern as Paul is
defending his ministry from attacks after he has been stern with the church in a letter (7:8-9).
- The book continues to repair their relationship which is now moving in the right direction.
What should we believe?
- Ministry is not about privilege but about service.
- Living with generosity and integrity is critical to successful ministry.
- Embrace The Paradox of the Cross—Suffering Leads to Glory (4-7) seen in the Example of Jesus (4:1-5:10) and Paul (5:11-7:16).
How should we behave?
- Serve well. Love others. Make sacrifices. Suffer with dignity.
- Be a joyfully generous giver.
Next Steps
• Offer the comfort you have received from the Lord to someone else.
• Live with humility and integrity recognizing that “we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (1 Corinthians 4:7)
• We are all broken and struggling. Pray with someone today or this week about a personal need.
This Week's Growth Guide
God’s Word is both central and critical to your spiritual growth. We invite you to utilize the Growth Guide during the week to further your application of the Truth from the message.
•. Monday - 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
•. Tuesday - 2 Corinthians 2:12-17
•. Wednesday - 2 Corinthians 4:1-12
•. Thursday - 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
•. Friday - 2 Corinthians 8:10-15
•. Saturday - 2 Corinthians 10:1-6
•. Sunday - 2 Corinthians 13:5-10
Home Church
Our Home Churches meet weekly to facilitate quicker relational depth, study the same passage taught
Sunday to help apply Scripture in the context of community, and pray with one another. Home Church helps our body seek God’s best for one another.
Home Church Questions
1. What did you learn from Ken’s presentation of 2 Corinthians that convicts you or challenges you?
2. Paul refers to troubles (afflictions) nine times in his letter. All believers experience troubles, yet God is “the God of all comfort” (1:3, you might read 1:3-11). Can you name a time when you needed comfort, and through what means God provided comfort? Conversely, is there someone you are aware that needs your comfort?
3. Paul spends much of the letter defending his integrity and sincerity, both in his decision-making and his apostolic ministry. He describes his life as being led in “triumphal procession,” spreading the “aroma of Christ” to the world (2:15-17). How does this description instruct us about our walk with Christ?
4. Paul knew hardship more than we will ever experience (ref. 11:23-28, 32). Amazingly, he never lost heart because of his anticipation of the future (4:16-18). What circumstances in life might cause one to lose heart? How does one embrace and maintain an eternal perspective in those circumstances?
5. How would you describe what changed in your life as a “new creation in Christ” (5:17)? How is being a new creation related to being an “ambassador for Christ” (5:18-20).
6. Read 9:6-15. What stands out to you personally from these verses about your financial life? How does it relate to the concept of "storing up treasures in heaven" as mentioned in Matthew 6:20?
7. What is your personal take-away from the book of 2 Corinthians? What steps can you take in response?
Finances
Weekly Budget 32,692
Giving For 03/24 26,037
Giving For 03/31 21,813
YTD Budget 1,307,692
Giving 1,391,936
OVER/(UNDER) 84,244
Mobile Pack | April 25 | 6-8 PM
Let’s join together, put on our hairnets, and make a Kingdom impact by packaging meals for children around the world. Tacos4Life is sponsoring a mobile pack with Feed My Starving Children to send food and the Gospel to children in need. Fellowship has blocked off 200 spots Thursday evening so we can serve together as a church body in this meaningful way. To reserve your spots, go to fellowshipconway.org/register.
New to Fellowship?
We are so glad that you chose to worship with our Fellowship Family this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift.
Easter offering update
Thank you so much for your generous giving to the Easter Offering to update the bathrooms and atrium, while making the space better for ministry. There is still time to give. Offering envelopes are at each basket by the doors, or you can give online at fellowshipconway.org/give.
Men’s Fellowship Breakfast | April 10 | 6:00 a.m.
Men, join us for a great breakfast and fellowship on Wednesday, April 10, at 6:00 a.m. here in the Fellowship atrium. No sign-up is needed. Come with your Bible, ready to eat, fellowship with other men, and start your day off right through prayer and Biblical insight. Questions? Contact Michael at mharrison@fellowshipconway.org.
Fellowship on the Lawn | April 28 | 4:30 p.m.
Bring your camp chairs, blankets, and tents to enjoy time in community with the entire Fellowship Family. The kids will be able to play on the playground and there will be two different inflatables, one for older elementary kids and one for the younger. There will be three food trucks: offering adult meals from $8-12 and kid meals from $5-7 complete with a main course, side, and drink, and Kona Ice.
Men’s Muster - The Surrendered LIfe
Men, mark your calendar for our retreat on April 19-21 at Shepherd of the Ozarks. The cost is $170 for adults, and $85 for ages 14-17. A $40 deposit due at registration. Registration deadline is April 8. Register at fellowshipconway.org/register.
Fellowship Women’s Ministry - Spring Luncheon
We are excited to invite you to celebrate the Goodness of God at our Spring Luncheon Saturday, April 13th from 12:00-2:00 in the Atrium. We’ll have lunch and door prizes, hear from Fellowship women Lacy Knox and Cathy Lee, and enjoy celebrating His goodness together! Text Shanna at 501-336-0332 for free childcare.
Downline Preview
Are you interested in deepening your understanding of God’s Word and learning how to guide others through it? Join us for the Preview Night on Thursday, April 11, at 6:30 pm here at Fellowship Bible Church, where you’ll get a chance to experience the Downline class session led by Renaut van der Riet, as he teaches from the book of Ephesians. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask Downline staff and alumni questions. To RSVP for the Preview Night, visit downlineconway.com/preview or send an email to tara@downlineconway.com
for more information.