Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
v.9 But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God…
This is perhaps the clearest reason given in Scripture as to why we go through difficulties – to teach us to trust God.
v.9 But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God…
This is perhaps the clearest reason given in Scripture as to why we go through difficulties – to teach us to trust God.
v.21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.
Praise God, He makes me stand firm.
v.21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.
Praise God, He makes me stand firm.
Me too!
x x
Me too!
x x
v.6 which produces in you patient endurance
God is more keen on teaching me patient endurance than I am in learning it!
v.6 which produces in you patient endurance
God is more keen on teaching me patient endurance than I am in learning it!
v.17 Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?
v.23 I call God as my witness —and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.
It seems that Paul had planned to visit them but then didn't go and as a result the Corinthians accused Paul of being fickle and unreliable! After all Paul had done for them and suffered it is remarkable that the Corinthians would ever consider him fickle.
Goes to show how easily misunderstandings can crop up and how sometimes we have to explain our actions even to our supporters.
v.17 Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?
v.23 I call God as my witness —and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.
It seems that Paul had planned to visit them but then didn't go and as a result the Corinthians accused Paul of being fickle and unreliable! After all Paul had done for them and suffered it is remarkable that the Corinthians would ever consider him fickle.
Goes to show how easily misunderstandings can crop up and how sometimes we have to explain our actions even to our supporters.
v.5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
Christ's suffering "flow over" into our lives. We are not exempt. Neither can we adopt an attitude of entitlement to blessing only. If we are Christians we will still experience difficulties. Nevertheless we experience God's comfort. Sometimes we limit God's comfort by limiting our capacity to receive. In difficult times we need to trust God and open ourselves to his comfort.
v.5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
Christ's suffering "flow over" into our lives. We are not exempt. Neither can we adopt an attitude of entitlement to blessing only. If we are Christians we will still experience difficulties. Nevertheless we experience God's comfort. Sometimes we limit God's comfort by limiting our capacity to receive. In difficult times we need to trust God and open ourselves to his comfort.