Preparing for Sunday - 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

November 26, 2015 Preparing for Sunday

Read 2 Corinithians 4:7-12. Reflect on your current understanding of this verse.
Read 2 Corinthians 1. How is Paul framing this letter? What is are a couple of his main points in this letter's introduction?
Read 2 Corinthians 4. Do you see any themes related to chapter 1?
In 2 Corinthians 4:7, what treasure is Paul referring to? What are the "jars of clary"?
Paul is describing what appears to be much affliction in these verses, how is Paul able to give any hope in these verses? What is that hope based on?

Pray for your heart to be open to receive God's word as proclaimed and explained.
Pray to put aside pride in our own understanding and see how we can live in these words this very day and week.
Ask God to forgive weak flesh that doesn't trust Him under affliction; instead thanking Him for glorifying Himself and counting us worthy to suffer as our precious Lord and Savior Christ Jesus has for us his bride.
Praise God for hope that does not come from anything but Jesus Christ but his life and work in his first coming and the power and glory of his second coming.

Examine your heart in affliction and see how you respond. Do you grumble at even the smallest affliction? Look to Him to make you aware of your heart response to all trials and to make it as Christ was quiet and gentle as a lamb lead to slaughter. (Isaiah 53:7)
Pray for those under intense affliction and trials and look for ways to serve your brothers and sisters in Christ, even if it puts you under affliction or trials. Just as we are called to bear one another's burdens. (Gal 6:2, Col 3:12-13)

Pray for those who will be leading our gathering this week: Dawson Bryant, music; Todd Arnold, Elders' prayer and Scripture reading; Brandon Ferguson, teaching.

Spend some time preparing for worship in the music below, but more importantly the lyrics; that are minds would already be focused on him and not distractions brought into service or during service.