Prevail: 2 Corinthians Week 4 Treasure in Jars of Clay: Why you can bring a culture shift Focus: In a later letter to the church in Corinth, Paul humbly bares his heart and life as a follower and apostle of Jesus. Paul shares the sufferings, trials, difficulties, conflicts, and heartaches that have driven him ever closer to the comfort of his saviour, magnifying the power of Jesus as a witness to all. Study by: Ivan Cooper Sermons can be viewed on the Hope Valley Church YouTube Channel 1. Sharing Our Journey Praise, Thanks, and Reflection Invite people to share from one or more of the questions below. It can be done as a whole group or in subgroups. It can also involve a worship song. What are you thankful for? Where have you seen God at work? How has God used you? How have you gone living out God’s Word since our last gathering? Where have you struggled to follow the way of Jesus? Where and with whom have you witnessed to the love and good news of Jesus? Care and Prayer In prayer, capture the things you have shared above after also inviting people to share any personal needs for prayer or support. 2. Opening God’s Word Setting the Scene One of the key repeating messages of 2 Corinthians is that God triumphs amid human weakness, which is the paradox of the cross. Centuries earlier, we read the story of Gideon in the book of Judges. While from the outward perspective Gideon was fearful and in hiding, God spoke differently, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12). God had a very different perspective, and it took Gideon a long time to realize it. Gideon faced impossible odds with an army of just 32,000 against combined enemy armies that were thick like locusts and numbering 135,000. Yet, by God’s direction, Gideon took only 300 men into battle aided without any military weapons but rather just trumpets and clay jars with torches inside (Judges 7:16). In the middle watch of the night, they blew their trumpets, smashed the jars, and stood to watch the victory of the LORD. Paul records in 2 Corinthians 4 that as Christians, we have treasure in clay jars, the knowledge of God within us experienced through Jesus. Though we are human and prone to weakness like clay, yet God honors us with his very presence and power within, “renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). And the gospel is likewise preached as like the sounding of a trumpet and the holding forth of God’s light as a torch, all from within the lives of ordinary believers who are empowered by an extraordinary God. Read: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 Take turns reading these verses from several translations. What first caught your interest or stuck out to you as you read these verses? Alternatively, what questions do you still want answered? Could you summarize the main idea in these verses? How do you understand the seemingly paradoxical or contradicting message at times? Describe a time that you have experienced God’s power and renewing in your life or circumstance despite outward weakness, setbacks, or difficulty? What encouragements do these verses offer in our lives today as a follower of Jesus? What situations does this encourage you to trust God with a deeper way? 3. Living out the Heart of God Who can you share this message of encouragement with this week? How can you make time to grow deeper in Jesus through prayer, scripture, and community; so to be ever renewed day by day by the Holy Spirit? Prayer for each other Break into 2s or 3s to pray. Pray for each other for any commitment you have made to live out what you have learned. Praying for your 5 (from your Relational Map - See ‘The Heart of God’ Study - Week 1). Pray that God would shine brightly through our lives to bless others in our community and renew us daily through the precious whisper of His Holy Spirit. Contacts If you would like more information or further help, please contact: scott.button@hopevalleychurch.com.au