Photograph by William Earnhardt
Prepared for Sabbath School class on August 29.
Key Text: “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you” (2 Corinthians 2:4, NKJV).
Read in Class: 2 Corinthians 1:3-14.
Study: Why does Paul have an attitude of thanksgiving, and what exactly is he thankful for?
Apply: How has God comforted you, and even made you thankful during some of the worst storms of your life? How have these experiences helped you to comfort others?
Share: Share a time when your well-meaning motives were misunderstood and misjudged by others. Share how this has taught you to be careful about judging the motives of others.
Read in Class: 1 Corinthians 16:5-7 and 2 Corinthians 1:15-2:4.
Study: What were Paul’s original travel plans, and how did they change? How did some of the people interpret his change of plans?
Apply: When he could not visit as planned, Paul wrote to the Corinthians out of much love, but some thought he was writing instead of visiting, because he did not care enough to visit. When making your own plans, how far out of your way do you go to avoid letting people misconstrue or be offended by your choices? How can considering the feelings of others be wise, and how can it be foolish?
Share: Share a time when you thought a teacher or parent was out to get you, only to realize later that they had your best interest in mind.
Read in Class: 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 and 2 Corinthians 7:5-13.
Study: Why did Paul write to the Corinthians, and how did the Corinthians respond? What was Paul’s reaction to their response?
Apply: The church in Corinth could love the offender (2 Cor. 2:8) because he was the object of God’s love through Paul’s love. What does this teach us about love?
Share: Your friend says that she has noticed a trend of disciplining children without making them feel shame, fear, or any negative feelings. How can this be good? How could it be bad? How do you respond to your friend’s observation?
Read in Class: 2 Corinthians 2:12-15.
Study: Where did Paul go after writing “the severe letter” to them? What did he do there? What was Paul’s reaction upon meeting Titus in Macedonia and hearing about the positive response of the Corinthians?
Apply: What motivates you in all that you do, especially when you do it in the name of Jesus?
Share: Your friend asks, How can we be sure our ministry is motivated by love and not selfish motives? What do you tell your friend?
Mission: Can you take a few moments this week to write a thoughtful letter to someone thanking them for correcting your out of love?
