Slices
Prepare
‘God, thank you for the people who have helped build my faith’ (name those who come to mind).
Bible passage
Paul’s concern for the Corinthians
11 I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the ‘super-apostles’, even though I am nothing. 12 I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles. 13 How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? 16 Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! 17 Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?
19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. 20 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.
Explore
As Paul begins to wrap up his letter, he circles back over what he has covered. Which of his themes has touched you the most? He restates the authenticity of his apostleship, highlighting the miracles he performed previously (v 12). He counters his opponents’ play on the Corinthians’ superiority complex, declaring that neither he nor his ministry amongst them is inferior (vs 11,13). He reasserts his (and his associates’) financial integrity – both in his refusal of personal support from them and the collection for the Judean believers (vs 16– 18). How might Paul have felt at the way he was doubted and misunderstood?
Much of his letter has a playfully ironic, even sparring, tone, but time and again Paul’s tender heart for the church he planted shines through, and this passage is no exception. ‘It’s you I want, not your money’, he says (v 14). ‘Everything I am and do is to strengthen your faith’ (v 19). He has poured out his resources and his very self for them (v 15) and cannot bear the thought of needing to act severely if he finds them still entangled in disunity and sin when he visits again (vs 20,21). Distressing as this pastoral journey has been, Paul’s love remains deep, determined and undented. How does his example speak to your own ministry?
Respond
Whose faith do you want to pour into? Create a reminder to pray for and encourage them.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Ecclesiastes 4,5; 2 Thessalonians 3
Pray for Scripture Union
Lydia was one of the first people to become a Faith Guide, back in autumn 2019! Give thanks to God for her service in revealing Jesus to the next generation, and for the 600+ people who have committed to become Faith Guides in the years since. (This week's prayers relate to this article.)
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