Session 96: 2 Corinthians 6-13

6:14 “Do not be yoked with unbelievers.”  Surround yourself with people that will encourage your closer walk with Christ, and who are open to encouragement by you in their own walk with Christ.  (If you want to change your life, change who your examples are: friends, what you watch, listen to, etc.)

8:9 Consider what Jesus gave us as we plan our own giving.

9:6:7 We are only stewards....God owns it all!! Be s cheerful giver, reflecting on 8:9

11:24 Paul’s hardships on his missionary journeys.  We all must be willing to suffer for sharing the Gospel.  (But the retirement plan is great!  Out of this world!!)

12:7- 9  We all have our own “thorn in the flesh.”  (What is yours?)  Remember what Jesus tells Paul...”My grace is sufficient.”  Give it to God!  Offer it up!

“Build up” the Church, and each other, is a recurring theme in this letter.  Reflect: What am I doing/what should I be doing, to build up the Church/others/myself?

In 96AD, Pope Clement in Rome wrote an authoritative letter to this distant church in Corinth, telling them that they must “follow the Bishop.”  ( Another example of the authority of the Papacy in the early church, which remains today.)