SPIRIT

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2 CORINTHIANS 11: 1 – 6, MESSAGE

Will you put up with a little foolish aside from me? Please, just for a moment. The thing that has me so upset is that I care about you so much—this is the passion of God burning inside me! I promised your hand in marriage to Christ, presented you as a pure virgin to her husband. And now I’m afraid that exactly as the Snake seduced Eve with his smooth patter, you are being lured away from the simple purity of your love for Christ.

 It seems that if someone shows up preaching quite another Jesus than we preached—different spirit, different message—you put up with him quite nicely. But if you put up with these big-shot “apostles,” why can’t you put up with simple me? I’m as good as they are. It’s true that I don’t have their voice, haven’t mastered that smooth eloquence that impresses you so much. But when I do open my mouth, I at least know what I’m talking about. We haven’t kept anything back. We let you in on everything.

PAUL’S PASSION FOR GOD’S PEOPLE

Throughout this chapter (11), Paul’s passion for the spiritual clarity, maturity, and soundness of these Christ-followers is on display.

• How is Paul distinguishing and contrasting himself from the imposters he is exposing throughout this part of the Corinthian letter?

• Who do you consider to be “the real thing” as a spiritual leader? What are some things about them that convince you of this?

• What are some of the characteristics of “imposter” spiritual leaders you have encountered?

PLAYING THE FOOL – 2 CORINTHIANS 11

How is Paul using The Fool role in this text to make his points?

Describe some of the other communications techniques you observe prophets, writers, teachers, and apostles using to convey their message or their points?

SEDUCED

What are some of Paul’s concerns regarding the Corinthian believers?

• What is one of the key characteristics of their faith he considers to be at risk? (v. 5)

• What does Paul mean by “another Jesus”, “different spirit”, and “different message”?

VERSES 23 – 27: SUFFERING

Why is Paul cataloging his sufferings in verses 23 – 27; what’s his point?

• What does suffering have to do with authentic Christian leadership?

• Who do you know (or know of) who has suffered greatly for Christ as a spiritual leader (i.e. John Stone).

- How does their experience of suffering affect their profile as a spiritual leader?

Why are the specific qualities suffering brings out in a true spiritual leader?