As we work our way through the Bible, one book each week, we come to 2nd Corinthians.  In some ways, the book reads as an awkward apology and fundraising letter at the same time.  Ouch!  On the other hand, it reads as a very personal reflection, by Paul, on what it means to have Jesus with us in times of suffering, challenge and division.  Paul writes about the cross in 1st Corinthians.  But in 2nd Corinthians, Paul writes through the cross, that is, what faith looks like when things in life are hard.

You can probably read 1-2 chapters a night, but I would especially focus on chapters 4 and 5, perhaps even reading them more slowly.

Questions:  

1)  Have you ever had to apologize and ask for money at the same time?

2)  Have you ever been mad at a faith leader (as the Corinthians were at Paul!)

3)  Do you sense that God is more alive in your life when things are good or when they are bad?  Why is it that many people actually stop attending church when life is hard?

4)  Have you ever felt like a clay pot - ordinary, fragile but holding, or at least capable of holding, something good?

5)  What is the appeal of a faith where as long as you believe enough, good things will happen?  What is a potential problem with this?

6)  Are there times in your life where you've needed to engage in conflict for their to be true reconcilation?

7)  Are there times in your life where conflict was avoided and therefore true reconciliation did not happen?

8)  When have you experienced reconciliation in your life?  What role did faith play in this?