Prevail: 2 Corinthians Week 5 Ambassadors of Reconciliation: What has been entrusted to you? 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: Dean Brookes 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 good thing happened this week that you are thankful for? What have been signs of God at work in your life? How has God used you, in big and/or little ways? What challenges have you faced in following 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 and other identified prayer needs. 2. Opening God’s Word Setting the Scene The Gospel is summarised in the statement: God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself. God continues to pursue broken and estranged humanity with the desire to restore relationship with all people. This is eternal life (John 17:3). Read: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 Read the passage from a few translations to gain greater understanding. If you were appointed as an ambassador for your country, where would you like to serve? Why? What does it mean to regard someone from a worldly point of view? (Verse 16) How do you usually view others? Yourself? How could this improve? What new possibility has opened up because Christ died for all? (Verse 14) What evidence do you have in your life that you are a ‘new creation?’ (Verse 17) What does ‘reconciliation’ mean? What story from your life illustrates this? What does it mean to be ‘in Christ?’ What does this have to do with reconciliation? (Verses 17-18) What is Paul’s motive for faith sharing (evangelism)? What other worthy motives can you think of? What motivates you to share your faith? If you rarely do so, what inhibits you? What does Paul mean by what he says about Christ in verses 15-17, and our response to him? See also Romans 6:5-14. What are the respective roles of God and us in reconciliation? What does it reveal about God? In what spheres of influence has Jesus Christ made you his ambassador? How can you be an agent of reconciliation? 3. Living out the Heart of God How will what you have learnt change how you live? Ask each group member to share their 'take home’ from the discussion. Prayer for each other You may like to form groups of two or three 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). Contacts If you would like more information or further help please contact: scott.button@hopevalleychurch.com.au