Lesson 9
GOD IS ABLE TO MAKE ALL GRACE ABOUND
(The Meaning of Offering II)
2 Corinthians 8:16-9:15
Key Verse: 9:8
* ADMINISTRATION OF OFFERING: TRUSTWORTHY OFFERING SERVANTS (8:16-24)
1. How had God worked in Titus to prepare him for this task? (16-17) What kind of person joined Titus to carry the offering? (18) Why was it important that he be chosen by the churches? (19)
2. What were Paul’s purposes in administering (managing) the offering? (20) What must we do in order to be good administrators of offering money? (21)
3. In what respect was another brother qualified to help with the offering? (22) How did Paul commend Titus and the other brothers? (23) How should they treat these offering servants?
* BE READY (9:1-7)
4. How had the Corinthians first responded to Paul’s suggestion to make a relief offering for the Jerusalem church? (1-2) What effect did this have on the Macedonians? Why was Paul now sending Titus and the brothers to Corinth? (3-5) Why was it important to prepare the offering in advance?
5. What principle in giving did Paul urge them to remember, and why? (6) How did Paul encourage them to exercise their personal faith in giving? (7a) What can we learn here about God? (7b) About how to be ready to give?
* GOD WILL MAKE YOU RICH AND A BLESSING (9:8-15)
6. Read verse 8. For the cheerful giver, what is God able to do? How did Paul emphasize the sufficiency of God’s blessings? (Eph3:20)
7. Read verses 9-11 and compare with Psalm 112. What promises of God can you find here? What does it mean to “be made rich in every way”? (1Ti6:17-19) If you give generously, why do you not need to worry about your future? (Mal3:10; Mt6:33) What is the purpose of God’s blessing? (11)
8. What impact did Paul say their generous offering would have on the larger Christian community? (12-14) How would this glorify God? What is Paul’s thanksgiving topic? (15)