Look Up #2 - Look Up for Leadership
2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund
Part of Look Up—September 9 - December 10, 2023
September 15, 2023

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Group Study Guide

Date: September 16-17, 2023
Speaker: Dr. Kurt Bjorklund
Series: Look Up
Message: #2 - Look Up for Leadership

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Scripture

12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. 13 For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, 14 as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.

15 Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?

18 But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

23 I call God as my witness—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.

Chapter 2

1 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? 3 I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. 4 For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you. —2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4 (NIV)

Notes

Leadership Qualities

  1. Integrity (v. 1:12)

  2. Godly Sincerity (v. 1:12)

  3. Reliance (v. 1:12)

  4. Clarity (v. 1:13-14)

  5. Flexibility (v. 1:15-17)

  6. Faithfulness to Message (v. 1:18-21)

  7. Humility (v. 1:23-24)

  8. Care (v. 2:1-4)

“set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (v. 22)

Step One: Icebreaker (Optional)
Today we’re talking about Paul’s leadership to the Corinthians. Who has been a good leader to you? What made them easy to follow?

Step Two: Open
Ask someone in your group to pray to open your time together. Ask another person to read 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4.

Step Three: Discuss

  1. What stood out to you the most in this weekend’s teaching? What was challenging, encouraging, or confusing to you?

  2. How would you summarize this passage in your own words? What are some key themes or points that Paul makes to the Corinthian church?

  3. In verse 12 Paul says that he and his friend have conducted themselves with “integrity and godly sincerity.” Why is it important for Christians to be people of integrity and godly sincerity?

  4. What do you think Paul meant when he said that he was relying on God’s grace instead of worldly wisdom? What does it look like for you to rely on God’s grace instead of worldly wisdom?

  5. Look at verses 18-21. How does Paul relate his own actions to the actions of God in sending Jesus? What does it mean for God’s promises to be “Yes” in Christ?

  6. The Corinthian church dealt with plenty of conflict. What are some of the challenges of maintaining relationships in the midst of conflict? How do we work together as a church on mission when conflict naturally arises?

  7. How can we apply positive aspects of Paul’s leadership to the Corinthians to our own lives? How can we be leaders who are distinctly Christian?

Step Four: Close in Prayer
Ask someone in your group to close in prayer.