Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading2 Corinthians 3:1–6, 16–18; 4:7 (ESV) 1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you?
2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all.
3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God.
5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,
6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
...
16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
...
4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
Exodus 35:20–29, 31–35 (ESV) 20 Then all the congregation of the people of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
21 And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments.
...
29 All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done, brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord.
...
31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship,
32 to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze,
33 in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft.
34 And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan.
35 He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of workman or skilled designer.
Observation Questions- In 2 Corinthians 3, what does Paul say is the true “letter of recommendation” for his ministry? How is this letter written, and by whom? [04:53]
- According to Exodus 35, what motivated the people to bring their contributions and skills for the building of the tabernacle? Was it obligation or something else? [18:28]
- What does Paul mean when he says, “we have this treasure in jars of clay”? What is the treasure, and what does the image of “jars of clay” suggest? [08:13]
- In the sermon, what illustration was used to describe the importance of being rooted in a spiritual family? [13:32]
Interpretation Questions- Why does Paul emphasize that our sufficiency and authority come from God and not from ourselves? How does this shape the way we view our role in the church? [05:09]
- The sermon talks about transformation “from one degree of glory to another.” What does this process look like in real life, and how does the Spirit play a role in it? [07:21]
- In Exodus 35, the people’s hearts were “stirred” to contribute. What does this reveal about how God wants us to serve and give in the context of community? [18:28]
- The pastor mentioned moving from being a spectator to a participant in the life of the church. What are some reasons people might stay on the sidelines, and what does the Spirit’s invitation look like? [25:24]
Application Questions- Paul says that each believer is a “living letter” written by the Spirit, meant to be read by the world. If someone read your life this week, what message would they see? Is there anything you’d want to change about that message? [04:53]
- The sermon described transformation as a journey, not a one-time event. Where do you see God currently transforming you “from one degree of glory to another”? How can you cooperate with the Spirit in this process? [07:21]
- The illustration of the tree being transplanted showed the importance of being rooted in a spiritual family. Are you deeply rooted where God has planted you, or do you feel like you’re still searching for your place? What steps could you take to put down deeper roots? [13:32]
- The story of the tabernacle’s construction highlights that every gift and contribution matters. What is one skill, resource, or experience you have that you could offer to build up the church? How might you start using it? [19:50]
- The pastor said, “The Spirit is calling each one to move from passive observation to active participation.” What is one area in church life where you’ve been a spectator? What would it look like to take a step toward participation? [25:24]
- Sometimes we feel our story or past disqualifies us from serving. The sermon mentioned the gap between “royal screw up” and being used by God isn’t as wide as we think. Is there something in your past holding you back? How can you bring that to God and step forward anyway? [22:04]
- Jesus is described as the treasure, and we are jars of clay carrying Him. How can you remind yourself this week that the power and sufficiency come from Him, not from your own abilities? [08:13]
