Thanksgiving
According to 2 Corinthians 1, who does Paul describe as the “Father of mercies” and the “God of all comfort”?
God
What two qualities did Paul emphasize concerning the way he conducted his ministry?
Simplicity and sincerity.
Who was Paul waiting to hear from regarding the Corinthians?
Titus
What should Christians do when someone who has committed an offense genuinely repents?
Forgive them.
According to 2 Corinthians 2:14, who leads believers in triumph?
God, through Christ.
What does God give us so that we can comfort others who are experiencing difficulties?
Comfort
Paul said that his ministry was not motivated by what kind of worldly wisdom?
Human/worldly wisdom.
Where was Paul when he was waiting for news from Titus?
Troas
According to 2 Corinthians 2:7, what should the church do after forgiving the repentant person?
Comfort them.
What does Paul describe believers as spreading through their lives and ministry?
The fragrance/knowledge of Christ.
According to Paul, why can Christians be thankful even when they experience suffering?
Because God comforts them and can use their experiences to help and comfort others
What should motivate a Christian's ministry instead of personal gain or status?
God's love and sincerity before God.
Why did Paul's travel plans change?
His concern for the Corinthians and his desire to know how they had responded to his letter affected his plans.
What does Paul say could happen if the repentant person is not forgiven and encouraged?
They could become overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
What was Paul doing in Troas even though he was deeply concerned about the Corinthians?
He continued preaching the gospel of Christ.
Paul's experiences of suffering were not simply meaningless hardships. What could God accomplish through those experiences?
They could enable Paul and other believers to experience God's comfort and then share that comfort with others.
Why is sincerity particularly important when sharing the gospel?
Christian ministry should genuinely represent Christ rather than manipulate people or seek personal advantage.
What does Paul's situation teach us about ministry plans?
Ministry plans may change, and genuine concern and love for people can influence those decisions.
Why is it important not only to forgive someone but also to reaffirm our love for them?
Because forgiveness restores the relationship and reassures the person that they are still valued and accepted.
When Titus finally brought Paul encouraging news about the Corinthians, how did Paul respond?
He was greatly relieved and joyful, giving thanks to God.
According to the lesson, what important principle about Christian ministry can be learned from Paul's suffering and comfort?
Christian ministry is not based on avoiding suffering; God can use our suffering and His comfort to equip us to minister to others.
What is the danger when Christian ministry becomes focused on the minister's own interests rather than Christ?
The ministry can become self-serving and lose its true purpose of representing Christ and sharing His love.
Why is Paul's willingness to change his plans an example of love-driven ministry rather than weakness or indecision?
Because his decisions were motivated by concern for the spiritual well-being of the Corinthians rather than by personal convenience or self-interest.
What does Paul's instruction about forgiveness reveal about the purpose of Christian discipline?
Discipline should ultimately be restorative, seeking repentance, healing, reconciliation, and restoration rather than permanent condemnation.
What does “triumph in Christ” mean in the context of Paul's ministry?
True ministry success is not primarily about the minister's personal success or recognition; it is about Christ being proclaimed, people being restored, and God's purposes being accomplished through His servants.