Things that really are worth bragging about

2Corinthians 11: 21 - 12:10

What are some kinds of things that you hear people brag about in everyday conversation?
Why are those kinds of things viewed as pride-worthy?

Based on this passage, describe the relationship between the Apostle Paul and the church in Corinth. Why is he so intensely flipping out in this conversation? Who is Paul comparing himself to in this passage? Why in the world has he resorted to personal comparisons and ad hominem arguments?

Describe in detail Paul’s lifestyle while on mission for Jesus. Why is it often that difficult for those who are swept up into Jesus’ story? Why does Paul see his suffering, difficult times, and inabilities as something that he is comfortable bragging about?

What are some ways that you suffer in your life’s mission? How do we change our perspective to view those sufferings more positively rather than pessimistically?

Describe the spiritual vision that Paul discusses at the beginning of chapter 12. Do you think this happened to him or to someone else? Why or why not? If this happened to Paul why does he choose not to brag about this experience? Why then does he mention this event if not to boast about it?

How would such a mystical event be helpful to someone going through the kinds of suffering that Paul is experiencing? Why do you think Jesus allowed Paul (or whoever that was) to have that amazing revelation?

What are some ways that you have experienced Jesus in your everyday life this week? What can we do to place ourselves in a better position to receive that kind of existential grace? How can you use your experiences of Jesus’ presence to adjust your perspective on the suffering you face for being a disciple?

What do you think Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” might have been?
Why would God allow this “messenger of Satan” to afflict Paul even when he asked for help?
What did Paul learn about Jesus and his relationship with him from having this disability?

Why are Christians truly strong only when they recognize their weakness?
What are some weaknesses you have in your life tonight?
Have you thanked God lately for the weaknesses he has allowed in your life?

Selecting an Appropriate Spiritual Trainer

2Corinthians 6: 14 – 7:1

Who was the absolutely worst instructor you ever have had in any training situation? What was it that terribly annoyed you about this person?

The yoking of oxen or donkeys was common in the ancient world in order to pull carts, plows, or accomplish other basic tasks that were too difficult for a single animal. What are some contemporary examples of such teamwork in the workplace?

Yoking was often used as an illustration for being joined together under the teaching of a rabbi or other spiritual leader (Matthew 11:29), or being driven by a strong ruler. What are some situations in today’s world that this kind of spiritual partnering occurs?

How does Paul describe the deep incongruity between believers and unbelievers in their spiritual perspectives?

Why does Paul use such vivid and harsh rhetorical questions to drive his point home?

Why does Paul quote so many passages from the Old Testament concerning God’s relationship with his people?

Describe the kind of relationship that God desires to have with those committed to him.

Why is it so problematic for a Christian to be involved in pagan or non-Christian spirituality?

What are some ways that non-Christian spirituality or idolatry creeps into our lives today?

Based on what Paul is saying in this passage, give a description of an ideal Christian life.

What are some things in your life that need to change in order to better match that ideal?

If we really are incapable of making these changes on our own as the Scripture insist what process do we need to go through in order to better comply with these standards?

How does a person go about being separate from the world yet engaged evangelistically?

Our Great Gift Registry

1 Corinthians Chapter 12

What is the most meaningful gift that anyone has ever given you?
What is the coolest gift that you ever gave to someone else?

Why does Paul start out his discussion of spiritual gifts by discussing how to determine the source of a spiritual power?
How would you describe the litmus test that Paul defines for spiritual powers?
What are some spiritual influences you see in your everyday life?
How can you discern if those forces are from God, yourself, the world, or from the enemy?

Into what categories would you sort the different gifts mentioned in this passage?
Why would God be so intent to give these particular gifts to his church?
Why would Paul discuss these particular gifts with the church of Corinth?
Which of these or other gifts do you see present in your life?
How could you go about practicing these gifts in our Context Group? In our church?

Based on our medical knowledge, how is the local church similar to a human body?
Why is it so important to Jesus (and Paul) that the church function as a unified body?
Why is this truth particularly vital for the church in Corinth to understand?
What obstacles tend to keep you from being united together with those in your local church?
Why is unity in the church such a difficult goal to obtain?
What steps can you take this week to increase the reality of church unity?

Eternal Consequences for our Temporal Values

Luke 16:16 - 31

When is a time you got in trouble as a kid and you knew that you deserved it?

Read verses 16 – 18. According to Jesus, what is the relationship between what we call the Old Testament and the message of the good news that he proclaims and existentially represents? Why does Jesus focus on the particular laws surrounding divorce and remarriage in his continuing debate with the religious leaders? What are some parts of God’s law that you find inconvenient? What needs to change in your life to better fit God’s expectations of people?

Read dramatically verses 19 – 31. Why is Jesus telling this story in the context of his argument with the religious leaders? Imagine you are Lazarus at the gate of the rich man. Describe what your life is like beyond the basic description of the story. What emotions are you dealing with? What questions are you wrestling with? How are you coping with your situation? Contrast that with the life of the rich man. What are some clues in the text we receive about his opulent lifestyle? How often do you think the rich man thought of Lazarus? Why did he not do more to help Lazarus? Who is a Lazarus in your life? What could you do to help them more?

Compare and contrast the moment of death for the two men. What is similar and what is different? What patterns in the rich man’s life made his destiny obvious? What patterns in the poor man’s life demonstrated his destiny? What is your life showing you about your standing in eternity? Describe the experience the rich man is having in the after life. Why is he crying out for help to Abraham? What does this show us about his assumptions? What are the reasons Abraham gives for not being able to help him? What do you trust in to help you in the afterlife besides a life now transformed by God’s grace?

When the man realizes his agony cannot be eased, what is his next desire he expresses in verses 27ff? Why does he think sending Lazarus to his home will help his brothers to believe? Why does Abraham not think this would be of any help to the man’s household? How is Abraham’s answer related to verses 16 – 18? What is Jesus saying through Abraham in the story about the relationship between his good news and the Old Testament? How can we become more aware of the eternal consequences of our decisions in this life? How can we help others realize the importance of their decisions without coming across judgmental? How open do you find yourself to God’s message? What can we do to become more open to God’s direction in our lives?