Ashech

Q4. (2 Corinthians 13:12) What is the equivalent of a “holy kiss” in your congregation and culture? Why is a warm familial greeting so important in a healthy congregation? Why do people sometimes resist being greeted warmly? What is the equivalent of a “holy kiss” in your congregation and culture? A genuine hug, hand shake or head bow down Why is a warm familial greeting so important in a healthy congregation? It shows affection for one another.Warm greeting signifies a heartily acceptance. It helps melting away coldness and paves the way for interaction or communication. Why do people sometimes resist being greeted warmly? They might have their own reasons.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 12:20) How do you “cure” a church of these kinds of behaviors and sins? How can a “love offensive” begin to change the spirit of a dysfunctional congregation? What is the role of church discipline in a dysfunctional congregation? How do you “cure” a church of these kinds of behaviors and sins? Address the wrongdoing, confront it with love and gentleness. How can a “love offensive” begin to change the spirit of a dysfunctional congregation? Where there is God's love, miracles will happen. What is the role of church discipline in a dysfunctional congregation? To prevent and eliminate all that cause displeasures against God.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 12:10) What was the life-changing lesson that Paul learned from God when God denied his prayer? How does our self-sufficiency limit God’s power through our lives? Can we become dependent upon God without having to experience some “thorn in the flesh” ourselves? What was the life-changing lesson that Paul learned from God when God denied his prayer? God always gives grace to those who trusts Him for strength to go through bad time. How does our self-sufficiency limit God’s power through our lives? If man can do, he will boast about his ability and forgets to give glory to God. In that case why must God help those who think they are capable. Can we become dependent upon God without having to experience some “thorn in the flesh” ourselves? Certainly yes.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 12:7) Why was this “thorn in the flesh” given to Paul? What purpose did God want to achieve through this in Paul’s character? How can something be both used by God and be caused by Satan’s destructive work? How does this verse relate to Romans 8:28 and Genesis 50:20? Why was this “thorn in the flesh” given to Paul? To let us understand that troubles may also with us in certain extent even we walk right with God. What purpose did God want to achieve through this in Paul’s character? Humility and reverence before God even in hard time. How can something be both used by God and be caused by Satan’s destructive work? Satan tends to destroy whilst God causes a build up in perseverance and consistence of faith. How does this verse relate to Romans 8:28 and Genesis 50:20? Both enhance the faith of the believer towards a better future.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28) How do Paul’s sufferings help authenticate his claim to be an apostle? What do these sufferings tell us about Paul’s commitment? How does this account inspire you – or convict you? How will you be different from having pondered it? How do Paul’s sufferings help authenticate his claim to be an apostle? The readers might compared him with the rest so called 'super apostles'. What do these sufferings tell us about Paul’s commitment? He was really steadfast in his commitment to the Lord Jesus. How does this account inspire you – or convict you? Steadfastness is what to be cultivated in ministry.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 11:7-9) Why do you think Paul refused to require the Corinthians to support him? How did this help his ministry? How did it contribute to them taking him for granted? How can we honor Christian workers, clergy and lay, who give of their time sacrificially to minister for Christ? How will Christ honor them? Why do you think Paul refused to require the Corinthians to support him? Because the Corinthians were critical against his ministry. How did this help his ministry? This could change their mentality thus abled Paul to prove his genuine love for them. How did it contribute to them taking him for granted? How can we honor Christian workers, clergy and lay, who give of their time sacrificially to minister for Christ? We can honor with our giving of financial support, word of encouragement and prayers. How will Christ honor them? Christ will honor them with far greater rewards from above.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 11:1-5) What does it feel like when a congregation loses its pure devotion to Jesus Christ, and instead takes on other motivations for its religious observance? In what ways is this like the church at Ephesus losing its “first love” (Revelation 2:4)? How can this purity of devotion be restored? What does it feel like when a congregation loses its pure devotion to Jesus Christ, and instead takes on other motivations for its religious observance Very disappointing, like Judas betraying the truth. In what ways is this like the church at Ephesus losing its “first love” (Revelation 2:4)? How can this purity of devotion be restored? Repent and return to The Lord Jesus.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6) Why does Paul liken his dealing with his opponents in Corinth with reducing a city wall by siege and then taking its citizens captive? Is Paul talking about a victory by the use of incisive logic or is there a spiritual stronghold here, one that derives its power from Satan’s kingdom? Why does Paul liken his dealing with his opponents in Corinth with reducing a city wall by siege and then taking its citizens captive? The way he likened might be the same as the conquest of the city of Jericho. Is Paul talking about a victory by the use of incisive logic or is there a spiritual stronghold here, one that derives its power from Satan’s kingdom? He is talking about a spiritual stronghold here, one that derives its power from Satan’s kingdom.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 9:12-15) Why should our giving prompt thanksgiving? How is our giving a demonstration of God’s grace? Why is God’s gift of Jesus termed “surpass-ing”? Why is God’s gift of Jesus termed “indescribable”? Why should our giving prompt thanksgiving? Because the receiver will be comforted and with a heart of gratitude. How is our giving a demonstration of God’s grace? It likens God giving His Son to us when we are in dangerous situation. Why is God’s gift of Jesus termed “surpass-ing”? Because there is no other but His only Son can save us. Why is God’s gift of Jesus termed “indescribable”? Because earthly man cannot really describe perfectly about this Heavenly Gift.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 9:10-11) According to these verses, what is the purpose of God increasing your “store of seed”? How do greed and generosity differ from each other? What is God’s promise here to generous givers? According to these verses, what is the purpose of God increasing your “store of seed”? The purpose is to increase the faith of the giver to love give more and the receiver to trust God‘s grace as well the increase of God's Kingdom. How do greed and generosity differ from each other? Greed is for ownself to have more but generosity is or making others better. What is God’s promise here to generous givers? God loves generous giver.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 9:7) Why do you think pastors or other church leaders use guilt to try to compel people to give more? Can greed be behind their pressure? Why is pressure incompatible with worship? What does cheerfulness while giving say about the condition of a person’s heart? Why do you think pastors or other church leaders use guilt to try to compel people to give more? Not all but some who feel to challenge the congregation whilst others because of fear of their own welfare and name. Can greed be behind their pressure? Maybe. Why is pressure incompatible with worship? Pressure is external force applied to compel whilst worship is from our own inner being to give. What does cheerfulness while giving say about the condition of a person’s heart? Cheerfulness is a gesture produce from the inward man showing sign of good agreedment and willingness.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 9:6) Does the Scripture teach that material blessing results from giving generously to God’s work? Why are we so careful to reinterpret this as referring mainly to spiritual blessing? If you compared your own actual giving to God’s work to a tithe (10%) of your income, would it look generous? Does the Scripture teach that material blessing results from giving generously to God’s work? No. Not really God's principle that we will certainly receive material blessing because God owes no one. It is good we hope for spiritual blessings. Why are we so careful to reinterpret this as referring mainly to spiritual blessing? We are human always want a good return so the preacher will always encourage us to do our best to please God. This should be our best investment in life. If you compared your own actual giving to God’s work to a tithe (10%) of your income, would it look generous? No.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 8:21-22) What is the balance between living our lives wholly before God without being men-pleasers, and doing what is right in the sight of men What is the balance between living our lives wholly before God without being men-pleasers, and doing what is right in the sight of men Honesty helps in our conscience before God and man

(2 Corinthians 8:9) What riches did Christ have according to this verse? How did he become poor? In what way were we poor? In what way have we become rich? What riches did Christ have according to this verse? The riches were spiritual riches. How did he become poor? He took on human form which is considered as spiritually poor. In what way were we poor? We were poor because we were sinners then. In what way have we become rich? We have become rich by joining The Lord Jesus and receiving his heavenly riches.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 8:4, 7-9, 19) What does grace have to do with giving? What does giving look like when it isn’t accompanied by grace? What does it look like when grace prompts your giving? What does grace have to do with giving? It helps giving without thinking of any return. What does giving look like when it isn’t accompanied by grace? It is wraped with mercy and love. What does it look like when grace prompts your giving? It has willingness and cheerfulness .

(2 Corinthians 8:1-5) Why is it so difficult to give when we are stressed by circumstances and bills and pressures? What can we learn from the example of the Macedonians and the poor widow? How will this lesson affect your own giving? Why is it so difficult to give when we are stressed by circumstances and bills and pressures? Because we have doubt on God's provision and fear of suffering What can we learn from the example of the Macedonians and the poor widow? They dared to take the challenge to trust God and grasped the opportunity to do righteous deed.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 5:18-6:2) If you, then, are called to be an urgent agent of reconcilia-tion, how is this likely to affect your daily life? How will it affect how people perceive you? How will it affect how God perceives you? If you, then, are called to be an urgent agent of reconcilia-tion, how is this likely to affect your daily life? There will be changes in commitment and cautious in my deeds. How will it affect how people perceive you? Critism, insult, mockery and suppression from people with wrong perception will discourage us. How will it affect how God perceives you? We are motivated to know that God is pleased to see we are in the right tract of our life.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 5:21) In what sense did Jesus “become sin” on our behalf? In what sense do we “become righteousness”? In what sense did Jesus “become sin” on our behalf? He replaced us who sinned and suffered under our penalty. In what sense do we “become righteousness”? We are free and have no more charges before God .

Q2. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20) How have we humans been reconciled to God? What did God do so that reconciliation could take place? In what sense are you an Ambassador of the Kingdom of God? In what sense are you a Minister of Reconciliation for Jesus Christ? How have we humans been reconciled to God? By accepting His plan of salvation What did God do so that reconciliation could take place? He gave us His Son The Lord Jesus Christ to be atonement of our sins.. In what sense are you an Ambassador of the Kingdom of God? I am representative of God in this Kingdom of darkness. In what sense are you a Minister of Reconciliation for Jesus Christ? I help others to please and be united to God.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 5:16-17) What does verse 17 teach us about the nature of a new believer? What changes in a person when he puts his faith in Christ? Why don’t old habits disappear immediately if everything has become new? What does verse 17 teach us about the nature of a new believer? He becomes a new creation. What changes in a person when he puts his faith in Christ? His identity of his inner being changed and now belongs to God. His heart begins to focus on things above. Why don’t old habits disappear immediately if everything has become new? The inner being is really brand new but the sins that old man laid on the flesh need to be mortified.The faster we deal with the old habits, the faster they disappear.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 7:5) What are the distinctions between fear, faith, and courage? Why is being honest about our fears better than pretending we don’t have any fears? How did Paul deal with his fears? What are the distinctions between fear, faith, and courage? Fear is a reaction to threat, doubt and danger. Faith is a confidence of having in what God has promised. Courage is the Boldness to take challenges. Why is being honest about our fears better than pretending we don’t have any fears? Fear is a natural instinct that is a healthy response. To ignore fears sometimes may lead us to unwise move or step. To acknowledge fears show that we are honest to ourselves. How did Paul deal with his fears? He always relied on God Whom he trusted.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1) What kind of separation is Paul calling the Corinthians to? How can they strike a balance between separating themselves from sinful practices that mess up their spiritual lives while at the same time maintaining friendships with pagan neighbors and co-workers? What kind of separation is Paul calling the Corinthians to? The separation that to leads to purity in God. How can they strike a balance between separating themselves from sinful practices that mess up their spiritual lives while at the same time maintaining friendships with pagan neighbors and co-workers? Their lives are to influence others that are outside God's Kingdom yet to beware of backsliding.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) What are the reasons Paul gives us – both in his letter and by quoting Old Testament scriptures – that we should live holy lives? What kinds of temptations did the Corinthians face in their notorious city. What are the reasons Paul gives us – both in his letter and by quoting Old Testament scriptures – that we should live holy lives? Firstly, it is a Command. Secondly, this deal with relationship and lastly is we are different and set aside to be holy. What kinds of temptations did the Corinthians face in their notorious city. The kinds of temptations the Corinthians faced were sexual immorality and idol worship . These are deem as spiritual adultery.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 6:3-13) Why do you think Paul shares so much about his various struggles with the Corinthians? How does this help them accept his apostleship as authentic? Have you ever complained about what you’ve had to put up with in your ministry? How does it compare to what Paul faced? Why do you think Paul shares so much about his various struggles with the Corinthians? He wanted to convince them his dedication to the Lord Jesus How does this help them accept his apostleship as authentic? At least they might realise his heart is all out for them How does it compare to what Paul faced? I haven't come to that stage.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 4:8-12) How does it encourage you to know that Paul went through tremendous stress and pressure? What effect did these sufferings have on the way people could see Christ in Paul? Why is pain necessary to spiritual growth? How does our pain allow others to assess our authenticity as Christians? How does it encourage you to know that Paul went through tremendous stress and pressure? We are convinced that God will see us overcome with His strength. What effect did these sufferings have on the way people could see Christ in Paul? They would wonder the work of Christ whom Paul always professed living in him, was helping him in all ways. And the love for Christ that Paul was serving. Why is pain necessary to spiritual growth? Pain in suffering helps us to know the degree of our love so that we will persever growing in the Lord. How does our pain allow others to assess our authenticity as Christians? Others assess us by the way we deal with our pain.