2 Corinthians
Paul writes to the believers in Corinth and the surrounding area. He wants them to understand that he is worthy of their trust. He is an apostle only because God himself appointed him. It’s God who sent him out to tell people about Jesus.
There are, however, people in Corinth who are telling lies about him. But Paul says, what they are saying isn’t true!
1:21–22
God promised that we would one day be with him in heaven.
In the meantime, the Holy Spirit lives in us to remind us of God’s promises.
Talky wonders if you always believe people’s promises.
Talk to one another about God’s promises.
Is it easy or difficult to believe his promises?
What helps you believe that they will come true?
2:5–8
It makes Inny sad when people are unkind or mean.
Does it make you sad too?
What happens to someone who is mean or unkind?
How does that person feel?
Read verses 7–8 to help find the answer.
How do you treat someone who makes you sad because they are mean or unkind?
See what these verses say about those who treat people like that. You will find the answer in verses 7–8.
3:3–4
Your life is like a letter. Hearty wonders how you feel about being like a letter. Other people read this letter when they meet you and interact with you.
Is your life like a letter that tells people about Jesus?
Look at the people around you.
In whose life can you read about Jesus?
How does it feel to read about Jesus in someone’s life?
How can you become a letter where people clearly read about Jesus?
4:7–10
When we tell someone the good news about Jesus, we are like a clay jar. We contain a great treasure. The clay jar can easily break. We are also weak. We don’t always serve the Lord as well as we should. But nothing we do can affect the treasure inside the clay jar. That treasure is the good news about Jesus. It will always be a treasure of great worth.
4:7–9
How do you feel when you discover that you can’t do everything you want to do?
Hearty found out that Paul has some good news for you! If you belong to God, he gives you some of his power. So you can live for him, even when you feel weak.
How do you feel at this moment? Choose a color on Hearty’s color chart on page 19 that shows how you feel. Tell God how you feel.
No matter how you feel, God can use you in his kingdom. And he will help you.
4:16–18
Inny knows that because God lives in us, we don’t give up. He renews our spirit every day. And we keep on looking forward to the day when we will be with Jesus in heaven.
Say verse 16 when you go to bed tonight. Repeat the words softly when you get into bed. Repeat them a few times as you lie in bed.
See if you can remember the words when you get up tomorrow morning.
12:6–10
Paul had experienced many wonderful things. He had a lot to brag about, but the Lord kept that from happening. Paul had a problem that caused him to suffer a lot of pain in his body. It made him feel very weak. And so he learned to trust only in God. God didn’t take the pain away, but he promised to help Paul to bear it.
When we feel weak, we need to trust God. He is always with us. And he has promised to help us in every situation of our lives.
12:10
Talky read in verse 10 that Paul’s suffering made him weak. Paul realized that this weakness was a good thing. That is because it taught Paul to trust God to help him.
Think about ways in which it isn’t good to be weak. Then think about ways in which it is good to be weak. Talk about the way Paul saw his weakness.
Do you agree with him?
Be ready to explain your answers to the people in your group.
