Open-hearted Life

Wednesday, September 2, 2015
2 Corinthians 6:1-13 NIV 

1 As God's co-workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your hearts also.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Other than the Apostle Paul, who was writing to the believers at Corinth and what were they urging them to do? Why? (v.1-2)
2) What have the apostles refrained from doing to those they ministered to? Why? (v.3)
3) How did these "servants of God" commend themselves to the Corinthians? (v. 4-10)
4) What did Christ's ministers do for the Corinthians and ask them to do for them? Why? (v.11-13)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Have you ever had to seek the counsel, or help, of the spiritual leader(s) of your local church?
6) If so, why did you trust them to help you?

LIFE LESSONS
7) The Lord brings overseers of our souls to help us navigate our individual Christian journeys.
8) The Lord often sends mature believers into our lives who have gone through the same challenges and struggles that we face in this life.