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February 6, 2008 - 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2

Open It

  1. When have you seen someone change in a significant way?

  2. What about you is most difficult for your acquaintances to understand or accept?

Explore It

  1. Why did Paul try to persuade others to follow Christ? (5:11)

  2. Why was Paul concerned about justifying his ministry to the Christians at Corinth? (5:12)

  3. How were Paul's opponents building themselves up at his expense? (5:12)

  4. What motivated Paul? (5:14)

  5. Why did Christ die for everyone? (5:15)

  6. How did Paul change the way he looked at people? (5:16)

  7. What is true about every person in Christ? (5:17)

  8. What happened when God sent His Son to earth? (5:18)

  9. .What does God do with our sins when we are reconciled to Him? (5:19)

  10. How is a Christian an ambassador? (5:20)

  11. Why did Paul try to persuade the Corinthians to respond to God's Word? (6:1)

  12. Why should we listen carefully to the message about Christ? (6:1-2)

Get It

  1. How do Christians sometimes take pride in ministries that give them attention and popularity?

  2. How is it possible for us to be motivated both by the fear of the Lord and Christ's love?

  3. Why was it necessary for Christ to die in order for us to be reconciled to God?

  4. In what ways do people today receive the grace of God in vain?

  5. In what ways are all Christians new creations?

  6. For what other Christians are you concerned?

  7. How can you encourage your Christian friends to listen to God's Word?

  8. How did God make His reconciliation with you?

  9. How can you personally be involved in the ministry of reconciliation?

  10. What difference does it make that Christians are counted as Christ's ambassadors?

  11. Where is your ministry of reconciliation?

  12. To whom are you an ambassador?

Apply It

  1. What is one way you can represent Christ to your friends and coworkers this week?

  2. What Christian friend can you encourage to listen to God's Word? How?

Notes

2 Corinthians 5:20: An ambassador is an official representative on behalf of one country to another. As believers, we are Christ's ambassadors, sent with his message of reconciliation to the world. An ambassador of reconciliation has an important responsibility. We dare not take this responsibility lightly. How well are you fulfilling your commission as Christ's ambassador?

2 Corinthians 5:21: When we trust in Christ, we make an exchange-our sin for his righteousness. Our sin was poured into Christ at his crucifixion. His righteousness is poured into us at our conversion. This is what Christians mean by Christ's atonement for sin. In the world, bartering works only when two people exchange goods of relatively equal value. But God offers to trade his righteousness for our sin-something of immeasurable worth for something completely worthless. How grateful we should be for his kindness to us.

2 Corinthians 6:1: How could the Corinthian believers toss aside God's message ("receive God's grace in vain")? Perhaps they were doubting Paul and his words, confused by the false teachers who taught a different message. The people heard God's message, but did not let it affect what they said and did. How often does God's message reach you in vain?

2 Corinthians 6:2: God offers salvation to all people. Many people put off a decision for Christ, thinking that there will be a better time-but they could easily miss their opportunity altogether. There is no time like the present to receive God's forgiveness. Don't let anything hold you back from coming to Christ.

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