1. DEEPER LIFE BIBLE CHURCH, LOCATION / REGION
SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES Year of Full Restoration
17 September, 2017

2. LESSON 660: PAUL’S SUFFERINGS AND FAITHFULNESS IN MINISTRY
MEMORY VERSE:
“Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses.” – 2 Corinthians 6:3,4
TEXT: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

3. SUMMARY (1)
Our last study focused on Paul’s hope and labour for eternal glory:
The hope of eternal glory takes away the fear of death and enables us to please the Lord and serve Him fervently and faithfully.
Acceptable service requires a life of holiness; we are Christ’s ambassadors..
Ministers are reminded of the day of accountability; knowing the terror of God’s judgment, theyshould persuade sinners to be reconciled to God.
The study of today touches on four points:
Partnership with God in ministry.
Pure conduct and blamelessness in ministry.
Perseverance and steadfastness in trials.
Growth in Christ-like love and fellowship.

4. SUMMARY (2)
Partnership with God in ministry (II Cor. 6:1,2; Mat. 28:20):
Gospel ministers are co-workers together with God in reconciling men to God.
God empowers His ministers to effect positive changes in their hearers.
Pure conduct and blamelessness in ministry (II Cor. 6:3,4; Titus 1:6,7):
Wrongdoing in members or ministers reproach the gospel ministry.
Ministers and members should demonstrate the gospel by their lives.
Perseverance and steadfastness in trials (II Cor. 6:4-10; 11:23-30):
Problems and challenges are part of the ministry.
Ministers and members are to endure suffering for the sake of the gospel.
Growth in Christ-like love and fellowship (II Cor. 6:11-13):
Members and ministers should relate freely with an open heart.
Members should show love to their ministers as ministers do to them.

5. DISCUSSION

6. QUESTION 1
What is the evidence of the grace of God in any professing believer?
Titus 2:11,12
Romans 6:1,2
1 Timothy 1:12-13
1 John 3:10

7. QUESTION 2
From our text, why should all believers and ministers of God live a blameless life?
2 Cor 6:3,4
1 Corinthian 9:12b
Titus 2:7, 8
Daniel 6:26
2 Peter 3:13-14

8. QUESTION 3
Identify the trials and sufferings mentioned by Paul in our text and saints who went through them in Scripture
Matthew 5:11; 24:9
Mark 13:9
Acts 16:23-24; 7:59
2 Corinthians 11:25
2 Timothy 3:12

9. QUESTION 4
Why must believers patiently endure sufferings for the sake of the gospel?
1 Corinthians 15:58
2 Timothy 2:12
Matthew 5:10-12

10. QUESTION 5
In what areas can church members demonstrate affection to God’s ministers?
2 Corinthians 6:13, 8:4
1 Corinthians 9:11
Romans 15:27
1 Thessalonians 5:25
Philippians 4:18

11. CONCLUSION
It is God’s presence and power that make the gospel work possible.
Offences and wrongdoing in ministers or members hinder the gospel.
Godly living is the strongest testimony that supports the gospel.
Problems and challenges are part of our calling: they should not separate us from the love of God. Rather, we must persevere in them.
Members and ministers should relate freely with an open heart.
Members should care for their ministers in prayer, giving and obedience.