1.\u00a0 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 are two of the greatest chapters in the Bible on the Christian\u2019s responsibilities in giving.\u00a0 The historical context is a collection Paul is making for poor Christians in Judea.\u00a0 He has already collected money from churches in Macedonia (northern Greece) and he is now coming to Corinth (in southern Greece) to receive the collection from them.\u00a0 He will then send the gift to Jerusalem.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0 Read 2 Cor.8:1-5.\u00a0 What does Paul say about the attitude of the Macedonians in their giving?\u00a0 Were they wealthy?\u00a0 Did Paul have to plead with them to give?<\/p>\n
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3.\u00a0 Describe the conditions under which they gave.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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4.\u00a0 Read 8:6-9.\u00a0 Paul encourages the Corinthians to give in response to what God has given them.\u00a0 What have they received from God?\u00a0 In what ways was Jesus an example of sacrificial giving?\u00a0<\/p>\n
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5.\u00a0 Read 9:6-11.\u00a0 What principles of giving are set out here?\u00a0\u00a0 List each one and discuss what you think they mean.\u00a0 In a moment of reflection, can you give a time when you reacted as these principles tells you NOT to?\u00a0 How did you feel?\u00a0 Why did you feel that way?\u00a0 How can we judge our own motives and reasons for giving?\u00a0<\/p>\n
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6.\u00a0 What does the giver receive in return for their generosity?\u00a0 What do you say to someone who does not experience financial blessings as others do? \u00a0How would you answer someone who wants to use these principles as part of their health\/wealth teaching?\u00a0<\/p>\n
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7.\u00a0 What result will the Corinthians\u2019 gift have for God\u2019s work in the world?\u00a0<\/p>\n
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8.\u00a0 What is the inexpressible gift Paul mentions in verse 15?\u00a0 How should this gift motivate us to extraordinary generosity?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
1.\u00a0 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 are two of the greatest chapters in the Bible on the Christian\u2019s responsibilities in giving.\u00a0 The historical context is a collection Paul is making for poor Christians in Judea.\u00a0 He has already collected money from churches in Macedonia (northern Greece) and he is now coming to Corinth (in southern … <\/p>\n