Thought Questions for Discussion on Second Corinthians 11:
1. Why is gentleness usually more effective in changing people than boldness is? How do we know when to give up on gentleness and boldly confront people? Give examples of each approach in Jesus’ ministry.
2. Paul said he had weapons much more powerful than the weapons of fleshly warfare. What kind of weapons did he have?
3. Give some examples of “strongholds” of evil which you have seen in churches, in the lives of others, and in your own life.
4. By what steps can a person take every thought captive to obey Christ? How can we change our thought-life? What will happen to our religious and personal life if we don’t?
5. Have you known anyone who was unimpressive in a worldly way but was powerful spiritually?
6. Some religious leaders use their authority to build people up, others to pull people down. What approach to leadership would pull people down? What are the characteristics of a ministry that builds people up?
7. Have you ever caught yourself measuring yourself spiritually by comparing yourself to others rather than to God’s standard? How can we avoid doing that?
8. Though Paul believed that boasting as such is wrong, he was willing to assert that the fruit borne by his ministry in Corinth proved that his apostleship was real. How can we distinguish between sinful pride and a healthy awareness that our work is real?
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9. What does Paul mean when he says, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord”?
10. How would you test a gospel or a spirit today to know if it is of God or not?
11. What is it about cultic and other spurious gospels that appeals to many people more than the wholesome gospel of Christ does?
12. Was there a downside to Paul’s not taking financial support from the Corinthians? If so, what?
13. Paul made unselfish sacrifices (such as foregoing financial support) which proved to people beyond doubt that he was real. His motivation had to be faith and love. What kinds of sacrifices in today’s world would prove the same thing?
14. What drove Paul to keep going through so much suffering to serve the gospel? Is it possible for a person to be driven that way today? What would have to happen in a person’s life to produce that kind of dedication?
15. Paul speaks of feeling the burden when anyone among his converts becomes weak or falls into sin. Have you ever had that kind of burden on your heart for the welfare of someone else in the Lord? Describe your experience.
© by G.B. Shelburne, III (except for any graphics and scripture quotations). May be reproduced for non-profit, non-publishing instructional purposes provided document content is not altered and this copyright notice is included in full. Format may be altered. South Houston Bible Institute, 14325 Crescent Landing, Houston, TX 77062-2178, U.S.A., telephone 281-090-8899, email <shbi@shbi.org>, web site <www.shbi.org>. Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION © 1978 and 1984 by the New York International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.