TEACHING
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2022
10:30 AM (+ communion) The Power of Planning with Shel Boese 2 Corinthians 8:16-9:5 At Pilgrim, we often rotate between a topic-based and a verse-by-verse based teaching series. We are currently working through the end of Paul's second letter to the Corinthians. In this letter, Paul is sharing his plans for poverty relief. It touches on themes of careful planning, authority, churches working together, financial accountability, and how structure—while not the main focus—can be important to apply in our own lives and community organizations.
PRE-TRIP: Big Idea(s)
We see Paul’s high level of emotional intelligence, leadership, pastoral heart, collaborative leadership, fundraising, and theological skill all at play in one place here. If you want something to grow and last beyond yourself, you’ve got to build a team, get out of your own head, and communicate above and beyond (including encouragement and rebuke). Money, relationships, sharing power...and Jesus. TAKEOFF: Outline 1. Representatives Recommended 8:16-24 2. Achaia stimulated the Macedonians 9:1-2 3. Another Reason for Sending the Delegates 9:3-5 FLIGHT: Through the Text NRSVUE 8:16 But thanks be to God, who put in the heart of Titus the same eagerness for you that I myself have. 17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but since he is more eager than ever, he is going to you of his own accord.
The almsgiver is a harbour for those in necessity: a harbour receives all who have encountered shipwreck, and frees them from danger; whether they are bad or good. … it escorts them into his own shelter. So, you likewise, when you see on earth the man who has encountered the shipwreck of poverty, do not judge him, do not seek an account of his life, but free him from his misfortune. -John Chrysostom (theologian and pastor, 4th century) 22 And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found eager in many matters but who is now more eager than ever because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and coworker in your service; as for our brothers, they are messengers[h] of the churches, the glory of Christ. To look at another Christian and think ‘This is someone who will be part of the Messiah’s glory when he appears again’ is to learn to value one’s fellow believers, not only as human beings made in God’s image, but even more as part of the glory that will light up the whole world. -NT Wright, 95, PFE: 2 Cor 24 Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you to them. 9:1Now it is not necessary for me to write you about the ministry to the saints, 2 for I know your eagerness, which is the subject of my boasting about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I am sending[a] the brothers in order that our boasting about you may not prove to have been empty in this case, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be; 4 otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be put to shame—to say nothing of you—in this undertaking.[b 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for this bountiful gift that you have promised, so that it may be ready as a bountiful gift and not as an extortion. ARRIVAL AND LANDING: Take Home and Final Word For Discussion and ReflectionNT Wright, others
[Remember: Group compassion work!, group celebrations: birthdays, life-events, holiday season! Aim for three times a month+meeting, ask who is missing - follow up!] Warm ups: What was one of the worst purchases you’ve ever made and why? What was one of the silliest things you’ve seen a friend invest in or purchase? Why?
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