2 Corinthians 5:1-10
OPEN IT:
Have you, or anyone that you’ve known, claimed to have an “out of body” experience when close to death? What do you think about such claims?
DIG INTO IT: 1.
Read 2 Cor. 5:1-5 and answer the following questions:
1. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
2. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,
3. because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.
4. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
5. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
a) When and how will our “earthly tent” be “destroyed”? (v. 1)
b) Can we know for certain we will have an eternal home, or is it just something we think might happen? (v. 1)
c) List some ways that we “groan” in our present bodies: (vv. 2-4)
d) In this context, what is the purpose that God made us for? (v. 5)
e) What synonyms can you think of for “deposit” in relation to the guarantee of the Spirit? (v. 5)
2. Read 2 Cor. 5:6-10 and answer the following questions:
6. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.
7. For we live by faith, not by sight.
8. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
9. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
10. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
a) Is it true that we would rather be with the Lord than in our present condition? Why or why not? (vv. 7-8)
b) What specific goals can we list for pleasing the Lord while still in this life? (v. 9) Name them:
c) What determines what we will receive at judgment? (v. 10) Is the reference here to eternal destiny or to reward?
d) Does the Christian face judgment in the same way that a non-Christian does? See John 5:24; 1 Cor. 3:13-15)
REFLECT ON IT:
1. If you could choose at this very moment to be with God for eternity or to stay on this earth for another twenty years, which would you choose and why?
2. If you only had 24 hours left to live, what would you do or say in the time you had left?
3. When you think about the afterlife, which of the following words best describes your feelings and why? Excited, Fearful, Worshipful, Apprehensive, Other…
4. Do you know without any doubt that you will go to heaven when you die? If so, explain how you know. If not, explain why not.
5. Describe a perfect day for you in heaven. What would it be like?
6. How can the group pray for you today?
PRAY ABOUT IT:
“Prayer at its highest is a two-way conversation and for me the most important part is listening to God’s replies.” ~ Frank C. Laubach
Davis, Barry L.. Instant Bible Studies for Small Groups (p. 10). GodSpeed Publishing. Kindle Edition.