Bethesda Chapel 2001
SG Bible Study #13 

The Hardships of being in God’s Service (2 Cor 6:3-10)

Songs – select songs to support the lesson

Warming up (optional sharing - 12 min)
Consider some of the missionary or Christian conversion stories that you have heard or read.  Relate one that shows how hard it was to be a missionary or a Christian.

Quiet Contemplation (3 minutes)
Recall lessons in 2 Cor 5:16-6:2.  Thank God for His work of reconciliation, that you were brought back to God, and for the urgent ministry of reconciliation that God has given to you.

Prayers (5 min)
Quietly or softly, pray individually for the people in the Operation Andrew list or Missions prayer list.  In the Holy Spirit, continue steadfastly in prayer and persevere in it with thanksgiving (Col 4:2).

Read the text, note the structure and literary pattern of the selected passage (10 min)
Text: 2 Cor 6:3-10

Structure
V 3                Integrity of God’s servants – “in every way we show  ourselves as…”
Vv 4,5            9 Afflictions from outward circumstances
Vv 6,7            9 Inward qualities ad spiritual equipment
Vv 8-10          9 Paradoxical experiences of God’s servants

Pattern
Vv 4,5              Nine Afflictions from Outward Circumstances
Each of these affliction is the word “en” meaning “with” or “by” or “in.”
Group 1 – General trials
                Troubles – of oppressive experiences
                Hardships – unrelieved adverse circumstances
                Distresses – frustrating tight corners
Group 2 – Sufferings afflicted by men
                Beatings,
                Imprisonments, and
                Riots
Group 3 – self-afflicted hardships
                Hard work – of incessant preaching and toil of manual labour (1 Thess 2:9; 2 Thess 3:7,8)
                Voluntary hunger – fasting (2 Cor 11:27)
                Voluntary abstention from sleep – (Acts 20:31)

Vv 6,7              Nine Inward Qualities and Spiritual Weapons
Each of these inner qualities and weapons are introduced with the word “en” meaning “with” or “by” or “in.”
                Purity – moral uprightness and singleness of purpose
                Understanding – knowledge of Christian faith and sensitivity to God’s will
                Patience – endurance of insult or injury without anger or retaliation

                Kindness/mercy – not judgmental but kind or merciful (cf Jude 22,23)
                Holy Spirit –    a) by the gifts or graces of the Holy Spirit
                                    b) by the fruit of the Holy Spirit
                Sincere/genuine love – love that is not hypocritical

                Word of truth or truthful speech – the gospel, word, message, talk, conversation 
                that is truthful
                Power of God – (1 Cor 2:1-5; Eph 6:10)
                Weapons of righteousness  - right and left hand, hence for attack and defence 
                (cf.  Eph. 6:16,17).

Vv 8-10           Nine Paradoxical Experiences of God’s Servants
                Through glory and dishonour
                Through slander/blame and good report/praise

                As an impostor/deceitful and genuine/truthful
                As an unknown and well-known

                As dying and living on
                As beaten and not killed

                As sorrowful but always rejoicing
                As poor but making many rich

                As having nothing and possessing many things 

Discussion questions (40 min)
Q1       vv 4,5
            Why is it that God’s servants have to go through hardships while serving Him?
            See 2 Cor 6:1 “As God’s co-workers..” (vv 4,5; cf  2 Cor 4:7-12,16-18;  Mt 10:24,25).

Q2       vv 6,7
            How are the inward qualities and the spiritual weapons realized and experienced by 
            God’s servants?  (see 2 Cor 2:14-17; 4:1-18; Phi 1:27-30; 2:12-18).

Q3       vv 8-10
            Pair up and select one of the paradoxical experiences of servants of God.
            Share if this was also true in your own experience as you serve God.

Personal Application (10 min)
Reflect on the inward qualities of God’s servants, and ask the Lord to shape you with these qualities and equip you with spiritual weapons.

Summary and challenge
When a person is in trouble, he or she calls the police by dialling 911 (US) or 999 (SIN).

God’s servants must be vigilant and answer distress calls from people in need of God.  The experience of God’s servants will be comprehensive when they obey.  In doing so, they will
            a) face some of the afflictions arising from outward circumstances,
            b) acquire necessary inward qualities and spiritual equipment,
            c) learn from some of  the paradoxical experiences of being in God’s service.

Reference
Frank E. Gaebelein.  The Expositor’s Bible Commentary.  Vol 10.  Murray Harris, 2 Corinthians.