Prevail: 2 Corinthians Week 6 The Temple of the Living God: Why is dealing with difference so hard? 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: Anita Venning 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. 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 Paul uses a farming term of being “yoked together.” The unequal yoke was first used in Deuteronomy 22:10: Do not plough with an ox and a donkey yoked together. Paul’s audience would have understood the reference, that the wooden yoke placed on the neck of the two animals was not easily broken and that the stronger animal would pull to their side, compromising the straight line being ploughed. In their context, the Corinthian Christians were living in a city where idolatry was ingrained in the culture, and Paul was reminding them of their true identity in Christ Jesus. Read: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Read from different translations, such as The Message or The Passion Translation, if possible. What first stuck out to you as you read these verses? What questions do you still want answered? Could you summarise the two main ideas in these verses? What does God call believers in Christ? How could that shape interaction with people who are different? In this passage, what is on God’s heart for His children? How can we remember that this is true for us? 3. Living out the Heart of God Read 2 Corinthians 7:1 as a summary. We are God’s temple; He dwells with us. How will you live this truth out this week? What change do you want to see in your life? 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 we, God’s people, would be different, as we love our community with the love of Jesus. Contacts If you would like more information or further help, please contact: scott.button@hopevalleychurch.com.au