TEACHING

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2022
10:30 AM (kids + communion)
Advent 1
Giving Hope with Shel Boese
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Giving produces hope in others and it changes the giver. The principle of synergy is woven throughout the Biblical story. God wants co-workers, mini-creators with Him. You have been given the ability to affect new life and bring uniqueness into the world. The church is a creative community working for not only the undoing of harm through healing, but the creative stirring up of gifts and innovation. God is able and is an enabler, in the BEST sense.

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PRE FLIGHT/BOARDING - Outline and Core Ideas

OUTLINE
Shillington

• 9:6-10 Sowing and Reaping: Picture of a Generous Giver
• 9:11-15 Many Thanksgivings to a Super-Generous God

Gutherie
Reflections on Resources for Giving and the Results 9:6-15

1. Give generously and cheerfully 9:6-7
2. God blesses generous givers 9:8-11
3. Giving evokes responses to God 9:12-15

CORE IDEAS AND APPLICATIONS

A STORY

THROUGH THE TEXT

1. Give generously and cheerfully 9:6-7
6My point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver.

2. God blesses generous givers 9:8-11
8And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work. 9Just as it is written, “He has scattered widely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever.” 10Now God who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your supply of seed and will cause the harvest of your righteousness to grow. 11You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous on every occasion, which is producing through us thanksgiving to God,

3. Giving evokes responses to God 9:12-15
12because the service of this ministry is not only providing for the needs of the saints but is also overflowing with many thanks to God. 13Through the evidence of this service they will glorify God because of your obedience to your confession in the gospel of Christ and the generosity of your sharing with them and with everyone. 14And in their prayers on your behalf, they long for you because of the extraordinary grace God has shown to you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

ARRIVAL & LANDING/FINAL WORD

For Discussion and Reflection

NT Wright, and Adapted​

1. [DO NOT SKIP THIS QUESTION] When was the last time you changed your mind about something important (or something relatively minor)? What helped you change your mind? What caused you to delay if it was a long-time coming?
2. Do you believe you can learn new information or learn from someone else’s experience enough to change your mind about an idea or something you’ve held onto a long time?
3. Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. What sticks out as we read it?
4. NT Wright states, “Attempting to tell people to do something they don’t particularly want to do is difficult. If you are a forceful enough character, people may eventually do what you want, but they won’t enjoy it, and you may damage some relationships on the way. It is far better to turn their minds around so that they see everything—God, the world, the church, themselves—in a different light, and then the behaviour will come naturally.  
5. How is Paul attempting to turn the minds of the Corinthians around in 9:6-15 and give them a new, bigger way of seeing things?
6. How can this be motivation for generous and cheerful giving?
7. What holds you back from giving generously to God’s people and God’s work?
8. Where do you feel God might be calling you to be a generous and cheerful giver?
9. How have you been inspired by others' service, giving, and attitude? Share some stories generosity of spirit and resources that have touched you or others...

pray: Engage in a time of listening prayer. Ask God to show you what obstacles may be in your heart which keep you from generous and cheerful giving. Pray for his power to release you from those obstacles.