These small group study notes on the book of 2nd Corinthians contain outlines, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, lessons to learn, and applications. Feel free to print them, copy them, or share them. I only ask that you remember these are are personal study notes and are only meant as a supplement to your own study, not a replacement. May God be glorified! Visit our inductive Bible study main page for more studies on this and other books of the Bible. See the bottom of the page for the rest of the study on 2 Corinthians chapter nine.
2 Corinthians 9:1-7 Inductive Bible Study - Outline, Key Words, Cross References, and Discussion Questions
Principles for Giving
Chapter 9:1-7
2 Co 9:1-7
1 For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints;
2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them.
3 But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you may be prepared;
4 otherwise if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we — not to speak of you — will be put to shame by this confidence.
5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness.
6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Key Words
· Bountifully 4
· Prepared 3
· Give 1
· Boast 2
· Sow 2
· Reap 2
· Sparingly 2
·
Titles
Giving from the heart
Generous Giving
Generous sowing produces a bountiful harvest
Principles for Giving
Outline
I. Zeal is contagious
II. Be prepared
III. Three standards for giving
A. Generous
B. Voluntary
C. Cheerful
Cross References, Questions, Observations
1 For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints;
Php 3:1
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
2 Co 8:4
4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,
1 Th 4:9
9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;
1 Th 5:1
5:1 The Day of the Lord Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you.
Phm 8-9
8 Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper,
9 yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you — since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus —
Phm 21
21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.
Ro 12:13
13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
1 Pe 4:10
10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
a) If it s superfluous for Paul to write to them about this, why does he do it?
b) How would you respond if someone gave you this kind of exhortation?
1)
2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them.
2 Co 8:11
11 But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.
Jn 13:15
15 "For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.
2 Co 8:24
24 Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.
Heb 10:24
24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
a) List some examples of ways that our zeal can stir up others.
1)
3 But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you may be prepared;
1 Co 16:1-2
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also.
2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.
Tit 3:1
Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,
1 Jn 2:29
28 Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.
Mt 24:42-46
"Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.
43 "But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
44 "For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
45 "Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?
46 "Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.
a) How do you decide when to let someone do it on their own and give them an opportunity to fail or help them along so that they won’t fail?
1)
4 otherwise if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we — not to speak of you — will be put to shame by this confidence.
2 Co 8:1-4
Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia,
2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.
3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord,
4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,
2 Th 1:4
4 therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.
2 Co 9:2
2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them.
2 Co 8:24
24 Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.
a) Why would Paul sight their shame before men as a motivation?
1)
5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness.
1 Co 16:2
2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.
Mal 1:8
8 "But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?" says the LORD of hosts.
Ps 15:4
4 In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the LORD; He swears to his own hurt and does not change;
Ge 33:11
11 "Please take my gift which has been brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me and because I have plenty." Thus he urged him and he took it.
2 Ki 5:15-16
When he returned to the man of God with all his company, and came and stood before him, he said, "Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; so please take a present from your servant now."
16 But he said, "As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will take nothing." And he urged him to take it, but he refused.
a) What reason did Paul have to think that their gift might be affected by covetousness?
1)
6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Ps 41:1-3
How blessed is he who considers the helpless; The LORD will deliver him in a day of trouble.
2 The LORD will protect him and keep him alive, And he shall be called blessed upon the earth; And do not give him over to the desire of his enemies.
3 The LORD will sustain him upon his sickbed; In his illness, You restore him to health.
Pr 11:24
24 There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want.
Pr 19:17
17 One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, And He will repay him for his good deed.
Pr 22:9
9 He who is generous will be blessed, For he gives some of his food to the poor.
Ecc 11:1
Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days.
Lk 6:38
38 "Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure — pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."
Gal 6:7
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
Php 4:18-19
18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Ac 20:35
35 "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive .'"
Eph 1:3
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
Eph 1:7-8
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
8 which He lavished on us.
a) Why would anyone want to reap sparingly?
b) If everyone wants to reap bountifully, why do so many sow sparingly?
c) Describe the correlation between our generosity and God’s blessing in our life.
d) How does this fit with the concept of God’s grace operating in our life?
1)
7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Dt 15:7-11
7 "If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother;
8 but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.
9 "Beware that there is no base thought in your heart, saying, ' The seventh year, the year of remission, is near,' and your eye is hostile toward your poor brother, and you give him nothing; then he may cry to the LORD against you, and it will be a sin in you.
10 "You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings.
11 " For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.'
Lk 21:2-4
2 And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins.
3 And He said, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them;
4 for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on."
1 Pe 4:9
9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint.
Ex 25:2
2 " Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution.
Ex 35:5
5' Take from among you a contribution to the LORD; whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the LORD'S contribution: gold, silver, and bronze,
1 Ch 29:17
17 "Since I know, O my God, that You try the heart and delight in uprightness, I, in the integrity of my heart, have willingly offered all these things; so now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here, make their offerings willingly to You.
Pr 11:25
25 The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered.
a) What benefit is derived from giving grudgingly or under compulsion?
b) What are the factors that go into what someone purposes in his heart?
c) If God loves unconditionally, what does it mean here that God loves a cheerful giver?
1)
Key Verse
7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Central Teaching
Give cheerfully and generously from the heart and God will reward you accordingly.
Application - Make Your Own!
Purpose to do things in a timely manner and not wait until the last minute.
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