Study Guide

Whether you joined us for live teaching at one of our locations or tuned in online this week, you’ve joined Cornerstone on a journey of reimagining church. We invite you to join the discussion!

If you missed the sermon this week, no problem! You can watch the on-demand Online Church message!  Click here. 

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Discussion Questions

• Take a minute to read 2 Corinthians 4. If you can, read it a couple of times! As you read, jot down things that you notice or things that you wonder about. 

• 2 Corinthians 3:7-11 helps us understand the ministry that Paul is referencing in 2 Corinthians 4:1. Go back and reread this section of 2 Corinthians 3. In your own words, explain the ministry Paul is speaking of. 

• Read 2 Corinthians 4:4. What kind of frustrations are Paul and the church in Corinthians experiencing when carrying out this ministry?

• In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul talks about a treasure. What is this treasure (see vs. 6)? Why did God put this treasure in clay jars and not something more durable or valuable (see vs. 7)? You can read more about what Paul means about jars of clay here.

  In this passage, Paul tells the Corinthians that God has put his glory in them - in fragile, everyday containers. “God chose to put his light and glory in the everyday dishes, not the fine china.” - David Guzik. 
  
  How would this truth be encouraging to a group of believers living in a culture that is blinded to the truth of God?

• In verse 16, Paul explains why they have hope and what they should focus on. In your own words, what did Paul tell them?

• Over the last few weeks, we’ve been talking about what it means to be the church in our communities. Has God revealed to you a ministry He has called you to? What do you sense God is putting on your heart? - or - What ministry are you currently a part of?

  When you think about this ministry (or any ministry God has called you to,) what kind of frustrations do you think you might experience? Or what have you experienced?

  How does knowing that God chose you to protect and house His image, glory, and truth encourage you in the face of the frustrations you may be experiencing?

• Review 2 Corinthians 4. What kinds of encouragement does Paul offer to you as a minister of the gospel? Write down the phrases that you can hold onto this week as you engage in ministry.

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What's Next?

• What are tangible, practical ways you can “focus on what is unseen” this week? Consider using a Bible app that can read scripture to you as you drive, creating a playlist of worship songs, checking in with a friend/mentor to encourage each other, etc.…You might also consider checking out Daily Steps, our companion daily devotional guide.