Prepared for Sabbath School Class on September 19.
Photograph by William Earnhardt
Key Text: For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4, ESV).
Read in Class: 2 Corinthians 10:1-11.
Study: Paul’s meekness in his dealings with the Corinthians was sometimes confused with weakness. What words or phrases in this passage reveal Paul’s courage to deal with the problem of false teachers in Corinth?
Apply: How can we be simultaneously gentle and bold when dealing with false teachers? Why must we be both?
Share: Your friend asks, why complaining is listed along with other serious sins like sexual immorality? Is complaining really all that bad? What do you tell your friend?
Read in Class: 1 Corinthians 10:13-17.
Study: How can an atmosphere of competitiveness harm the preaching of the gospel?
Apply:Reread 2 Corinthians 10:12-18. How can church leaders, or even members, avoid an atmosphere of competition? Why is it so easy to get caught up in things that really don’t matter?
Share: Your friend asks we fall so often, when 1 Corinthians 10:13 Promises us that God can deliver us from all temptation? What do you tell your friend?
Read in Class: 2 Cotinghians 11:1-15.
Study: How does Paul depict the challenges that he is facing with these false teachers?
Apply: Look at how strongly he is reacting to error in the church! What should that say to us, as well?
Share: Your friend asks, what is the difference between a false teacher and a teacher who just makes an honest mistake every now and then? What do you tell your friend?
Read in Class: 2 Corinthians 11:22-28 and 2 Corinthians 12:20-21,
Study:What point is Paul making here? What sins were jeopardizing the spiritual condition of the Corinthian church?
Apply: Read 2 Corinthians 13:5. What does it mean to be in the faith? How can you know that you are in the faith?
Share: The Bible says that before the end comes, many false teachers would try to lure people away from the truth. What can your local church do to prevent members from being persuaded by false teachers who might even be in your same church? Why is this so essential for the fulfillment of the church’s mission? Please share your thoughts.
Mission: Can you devote some extra time this week to study a topic that you or your church family finds confusing?
