Grace in the Ordinary
A right relationship with Jesus Christ manifests itself not in some extraordinary otherworldliness, but in and through our Christ-like conduct and loving human relationships in this world. It is in our conduct and relationships that we are most in need of experiencing, expressing, and exemplifying the reality of God’s grace in the ordinary, everyday interaction we have with believers and unbelievers.
How often do you experience God’s grace in your ordinary, everyday interaction with others?
What does it mean for God to “open a door for our message” in verse 3? What doors has God opened for you to share the gospel? What doors would you like for Him to open in order for you to share the gospel?
Who are the “outsiders” Paul mentions in verse 5? Who are the outsiders in your life? Do you “make the most of every opportunity” in your interaction with them? What role does wisdom play in your interaction?
How would you explain to someone what Paul means by conversation/speech “full of grace, seasoned with salt” in verse 6?
Paul mentions several friends who were instrumental in serving with him to promote the work and message of Christ. Which of your friends would you mention in a similar letter? Which of them has been most influential in your Christian growth?
Searching for the Generous Life
Just like modest investments can grow over time, our investment into God's kingdom generates growth and produces eternal dividends. The apostle Paul presented the Macedonian believers as an example of generous giving to the Corinthian church and to us. Let's explore...
Searching for Reconciliation
Confronting others concerning biblical/theological compromise is never easy or pleasant. Such encounters must be handled with sensitivity to the needs of others, directed by spiritual wisdom and the Scriptures, and guided by the Holy Spirit. Paul closed chapter two of...
Searching for Courage
On the surface, hearing God and following His commands seems straightforward. However, when God calls us to do something that generates fear in us and feels daunting, second-guessing His call becomes reasonable. Finding the courage to obey such a call is overwhelming....
Searching for the Abundant Life
Jesus explicitly explained his purpose when He said “…I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10). He said similar things many times, and these ideas are repeated, over and over again, by those who wrote the New Testament. Yet many people,...
Searching for Real Friendship
Some relationships may imitate friendship, but there’s no substitute for the real thing. Exploring the relationship between David and Jonathan in the Bible, we’ll identify some distinguishing features of friendship that are often overlooked and discover how to infuse...