Lesson Plan for 2 Corinthians 1-7

BACKGROUND

• 2nd Corinthians could be 2 separate letters? 1-9 and 10-13

• 1st Corinthians should actually be 2nd Corinthians

• Paul apparently had a “painful” visit and letter between 1st and 2nd Corinthians

• That would make 2 Corinthians 4th and 5th Corinthians

• Possible that 2 Corinthians 10-13 could be the “painful” letter

• Between 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Paul made a visit to Corinth that was apparently difficult and painful for both Paul and the members.

• Hurt feelings, rebukes, and corrections marked this visit. Some members began to accuse Paul of not being a “real” apostle.

• After Paul had left, many members felt sorrowful for what they had done and showed a desire to repent.

• 2 Corinthians is Paul’s response to this situation. 1-9 is more reconciling in tone while 10-13 is more abrupt.

ICEBREAKER

Q: Have any of you ever met a prophet or apostle? What was it like and what happened? 

OR

Q: Which of the brethren would you most like to meet and why? 

TRANSITION

A major theme of Paul’s message in 2 Corinthians revolves around the role of an apostle or leader of the church. Just like in the early church, God continues to call men (imperfect as they may be) to lead and guide his church. As you study this epistle, look for what you learn about the character and mission of a prophet or apostle.

SEARCH

Apostles Synonymns Handout

You can download a PDF of this handout on the front page of the website under the section entitled “FILES"

 Secret numbered phrase activity.  The objective is to discover the secret phrase at the bottom. Your students will go to the following verses looking for the title  or synonym for an apostle. They will fill in the boxes with the answers and they’ll know if they got it right if it fits. After they have all the answers they will copy the letters in the numbered boxes to the other boxes with the same number.

Answers:

1:24 Helpers of your joy.

3:6 Able ministers of the new testament.

5:20 Ambassadors for Christ

6:1 Workers together with him.

6:18 A Father unto you.

Secret Phrase: Special Witnesses of Christ

Q: Which of these titles is your favorite and why?

Listen to their thoughts, and be prepared to share some of your own as well

TRANSITION

Now that we’ve examined what the prophets and apostles are, lets look a little more closely at what they do. Here are ten of my favorite thoughts on apostles and prophets from 2 Corinthians 1-7.

Instructions:

1. Look up and study your assigned reference.

2. What does it teach you about apostles and prophets?

3. Be prepared to share what you learned.

REFERENCES

1. 1:4

2. 1:17-18

3. 2:4

4. 2:7-8

5. 2:17, 4:2

6. 4:8-9

7. 4:15-16

8. 5:11

9. 6:4-11

10. 7:1

Possible Interpretations:

1. 1:4                They provide comfort to us

2. 1:17-18         They don’t speak lightly

3. 2:4                They correct with love

4. 2:7-8             They care about the one

5. 2:17, 4:2       They speak with sincerity. They have no hidden agendas

6. 4:8-9            They are realistic, yet optimistic

7. 4:15-16        They do things for our sake. Old on the outside, but strong on the inside

8. 5:11             They lead and motivate by persuasion

9. 6:4-11          They try not to give offense

10. 7:1             They seek to perfect us little by little

Jeffrey R. Holland Quote

Not often but over the years some sources have suggested that the Brethren are out of touch in their declarations, that they don’t know the issues, that some of their policies and practices are out-of-date, not relevant to our times.

As the least of those who have been sustained by you to witness the guidance of this Church firsthand, I say with all the fervor of my soul that never in my personal or professional life have I ever associated with any group who are so intouch, who know so profoundly the issues facing us, who look so deeply into the old, stay so open to the new, and weigh so carefully, thoughtfully, and prayerfully everything in between. I testify that the grasp this body of men and women have of moral and societal issues exceeds that of any think tank or brain trust of comparable endeavor of which I know anywhere on the earth. I bear personal witness of how thoroughly good they are, of how hard they work, and how humbly they live. It is no trivial matter for this Church to declare to the world prophecy, seership, and revelation, but we do declare it. It is true light shining in a dark world, and it shines from these proceedings. Jeffrey R. Holland

(Conference Report, October 2006, Prophets in the Land Again)

CONCLUSION

Read 2 Corinthians 2:16-17

The brethren are compared to smells. To some, they smell sweet, and pleasant, to others, they are like a stench of a rotting corpse. 

Q: Which are they to you? Are they a sweet smell to you? Are you excited when general conference rolls around? Could you recognize them by face and name? Do you value their words and counsel? Or are they something different to you? Do they leave a bad smell to you? Do you dread general conference? Instead of seeing them as helpers of your joy, do you see them as aged lecturers, fun slayers, or as Korihor put it, “Ancient priests who usurp power and authority that you durst not enjoy your rights and privileges”. The brethren can be one or the other to us depending on our spiritual character. Which are they to you?

Share your testimony of living prophets and apostles

2 CORINTHIANS 7

ICEBREAKER

Play: Find the Symbol by saying:  The scriptures are full of symbolism. Symbolism helps us to grasp difficult gospel principles by comparing them to objects and things we more easily understand. Sin is compared to a number of different things in the scriptures. Can you find the symbol for sin in the following verses?

• Isaiah 1:5-6   Sickness

• Moroni 8:24. A broken law(crime)

• 1 Nephi 8:23 Mist of Darkness 

• 2 Nephi 1:13 Chains

• Matthew 18:24 Debt

One more symbol for sin. What did Paul compare sin to in 2 Corinthians 7:1?

Filthiness. Sinning is like getting dirty.

TRANSITION

For each of these symbols, there is a solution. If sin is sickness,  we need a doctor. If sin is a broken law, we need an advocate, if sin is a chain, we need a liberator , if sin is debt, we need a mediator, and if sin is filthiness, we need to be washed clean. And luckily for us, we can become clean again! And what do we call the process by which we become clean?

A: Repentance

Paul has some important things to teach us about repentance in this chapter.

SEARCH

I think that if I were to ask the average member of the church what repentance was, most would launch into an explanation of how to repent. Perhaps they would start listing off the steps of repentance, sometimes referred to as the 5 r’s. recognition, remorse, restitution, reformation, resolution.  

I love the definition that the Bible Dictionary gives which says:

"The Greek word of which this is the translation denotes a change of mind, a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world. Since we are born into conditions of mortality, repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined."

Repentance is an attitude!

BACKGROUND

Paul had sent a letter to the Corinthians that was very critical, rebuking them for some of their actions. Many of the Corinthians had taken Paul’s rebuke to heart and were now feeling sorry and guilty for what they had done. Here Paul is going to explain to them that this was actually a good thing because it revealed the attitude of a truly repentant person.

READ

Read 2 Corinthians 7:7-11 looking for any word or phrase that helps you to understand the attitude of a truly repentant person.

And then let them share what they found

• Earnest desire: A truly repentant person has a sincere desire to change

• Mourning: A truly repentant person mourns the mistakes they have made, they have a deep sense of regret for the sin

• Fervent mind toward me: A truly repentant person is willing to follow Savior anew. They have turned their heart and will to God.

• Godly Sorrow:

Q: What are those two types of sorrow?  There is godly sorrow, and the sorrow of the world.

Q: What is worldly sorrow and what is godly sorrow?

Ezra Taft Benson quote:

“It is not uncommon to find men and women in the world who feel remorse for the things they do wrong. Sometimes this is because their actions cause them or loved ones great sorrow and misery. Sometimes their sorrow is caused because they are caught and punished for their actions. Such worldly feelings do not constitute ‘godly sorrow’ (2 Corinthians 7:10).

“Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God. It is the sharp and keen awareness that our behavior caused the Savior, He who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to endure agony and suffering. Our sins caused Him to bleed at every pore. This very real mental and spiritual anguish is what the scriptures refer to as having ‘a broken heart and a contrite spirit’ (D&C 20:37). Such a spirit is the absolute prerequisite for true repentance” (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson[1988], 72).

Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow

1. But bishop, everyone will see that I’m not blessing the sacrament. You might as well advertise to the whole ward that I’ve done something wrong: Worldly Sorrow

2. I don’t like the way all these lies I tell makes me feel. I want the spirit back in my life. Godly Sorrow

3. Bishop, I know what I’ve done is wrong, what can I do to make it right? Godly Sorrow

4. Bishop! I can’t go on a mission right now! What will my parents say! Worldly Sorrow

5. It’s not my fault I’ve ended up in prison. I’m the way I am because of how I was raised. I hate prison. It’s not fair that I have to be here. Worldly Sorrow

6. I can’t believe I did that.  No matter how hard I try to be righteous. Every day, in some way I slip up. I want to be good, but sometimes it’s just hard. Godly Sorrow

MORE ATTITUDE OF REPENTANCE VERSES

• Carefulness: A truly repentant person seeks to be careful about their future actions, wary of falling into the same trap again

• Clearing of yourselves: A truly repentant person has a desire to be clear of their guilt. To have their sins washed away.

• Indignation: A truly repentant person is indignant about their past actions. They can’t believe they allowed themselves to be fooled by the adversary, and they vow never to be deceived again.

• Fear: The word fear in the scriptures usually means “respect”. A truly repentant person respects the Savior and his sacrifice that makes it possible to repent.

• Vehement desire: A truly repentant person is vehement in their desire to change. Some synonyms for vehement are ardent, fierce, and intense.

• Zeal: This means passion. A truly repentant person is passionate about fixing their mistakes. They are zealous to repair the wrongs they have committed. They are willing to do whatever it takes to be right with God.

• Revenge: Repentance is the ultimate revenge against the adversary. You are not going to allow Satan to get the upper hand in your life. He may have won a battle, but you are going to win the war. He is not going to overcome you. You have the Savior on your side. So repent! Get revenge on Satan.

Q: And if we have those attitudes, what will be the result? 

v.11 We will approve ourselves to be clear in this matter.

Two great scriptures on the power of repentance: Isaiah 1:  18 and D&C 58:42

Q: What about the pain, the sorrow, and the guilt. How do we get over those feelings? 

What does this phrase at the end of vs. 8 teach us about repentance?

A: Though it were but for a season

The sorrow, the guilt, the regret doesn’t last forever. It goes away! God doesn’t want us to be sorrowful forever. He is a God of joy. Repentance and forgiveness can restore that joy. We only have to endure the pain for a season, just long enough to change our hearts, then he can fill them with joy once again.

APPLY

Q: Without sharing any past sins, could anyone describe what it feels like to be forgiven?

CONCLUSION

If there is something in your life right now that you feel is making you unclean, I invite you to repent. If that requires a heartfelt prayer between you and your Father in Heaven, I invite you to do that soon. If you feel what you've done requires priesthood help, I invite you to make an appointment with your bishop soon. He will help guide you through that process with love and understanding. You can be clean! You can be forgiven! And when you are, it will be as if you never committed the sin in the first place, and God will remember it no more!