Grace, Love and Fellowship – Discussion Starters
Sabbath School teaching tip: It’s OK to draw out your more quiet members in a gentle way. You can look at them and say, “Friend, you look like you might have some thoughts on this and we’d love to hear them.” Many will share. If they are not ready, you have still let them know their thoughts are welcome and important when they are ready.
“Discussion Starters” are meant as an adjunct to the lesson, giving members additional opportunities to share their spiritual journey.
1. The truth of the Trinity was not a result of human speculation, but rather, to the first Jewish disciples, a (very surprising!) revealed experience of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. How would you describe the key elements of that how that witnessed experience unfolded, to a skeptic? Why is it a flawed assumption to think that the human mind should be able to fully comprehend and explain God’s nature in order to believe in God?
- Paul ends his letter with “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Cor 13:14). How do you think of “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ?”
How would you describe it to someone else? What does the grace of Christ do?
- How do you picture the Holy Spirit? How do you picture the Holy Spirit’s role? Why is the Holy Spirit the giver of “fellowship”?
Jesus said that “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (Jn 3:8). The suggestion seems to be that you can’t control the Holy Spirt, but you can see the effects of the Holy Spirit. Share an example of a time you experienced or witnessed the Holy Spirit’s action on a person.
- Despite their attacks, Paul prays that the Corinthians “will not do anything wrong” and “may be fully restored.” (2 Cor 13:7-9)
a) Do you now, or have you in the past, struggled to pray for the good of someone who has hurt you, rather than wishing their punishment?
b) What are the obstacles to wishing them good?
c) What helps you move in that direction (for forgiveness is often gradual)?
- We know from extra-Biblical sources that being a great orator or speech-maker was highly prized in ancient Roman culture. There were schools of oratory and great travelling orators were like celebrities. They were judged on their ability to “teach, delight, and persuade” (per Cicero, Rome’s greatest orator). This seems to be the context in which Paul is criticized for not accepting payment and not being more forceful when he was in Corinth, compared to the so-called “super apostles” who were selfishly competing for Christian followers.
Where do you see the contrast today between true substance and false “flash” among Christian leaders? Why do you think the false flashy types can still get so many followers?
- As we wrap up the quarterly on the letters to the Corinthians, think about the many themes Paul’s teaching covered: Confronting sin, stewardship, forgiveness and unity in Christ, Christ’s cross and faith in the resurrection, spiritual gifts, the primacy of love, suffering for the gospel, authentic Christian ministry, true and false teachers.
What is one commitment you’d like to make in your spiritual walk or in ministry, that has been inspired by an insight from this Quarter’s study of Paul and the Corinthians?
