1.26.25 Huddle
Opening Discussion
- What is a song or musical genre that comforts you when you are feeling down?
Read and Discuss
2 Corinthians 1:1-11
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Timothy our brother:
To the church of God at Corinth, with all the saints who are throughout Achaia.
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that as you share in the sufferings, so you will also share in the comfort.
8 We don’t want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction that took place in Asia. We were completely overwhelmed—beyond our strength—so that we even despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a terrible death, and he will deliver us. We have put our hope in him that he will deliver us again 11 while you join in helping us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gift that came to us through the prayers of many.
- What are some ways God comforts you in your affliction?
- How do verses 8 & 9 contradict the popular saying, “God won’t give you more than you can handle?”
- What are some practical things you can do when you are overwhelmed with the struggles of life?
Extra Questions
- What are some things the world turns to for comfort?
- Paul says the Lord comforts us in our affliction so that we can comfort others in their affliction. Who is someone that has comforted you when you’ve been down?
- How do you comfort someone who is going through a tough time?
- How can prayer be helpful to you and others when you are experiencing hardships?
Read 2 Corinthians 11:23-30
23 Are they servants of Christ? I’m talking like a madman—I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, many times near death.
24 Five times I received the forty lashes minus one from the Jews. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. 26 On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, and dangers among false brothers; 27 toil and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and without clothing. 28 Not to mention other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
30 If boasting is necessary, I will boast about my weaknesses.
- Why did Paul keep preaching the gospel even though all of these terrible things happened to him?
- How did these dangers make him stronger?
- What are some things you have suffered because of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Extra Questions
- What are some things that stand out to you about this list Paul has made of his hardships?
- Paul talks about the daily pressure he feels concerning all the churches. What daily pressures do you feel?
- Do any of those pressures you feel come from compulsion to share the gospel with others like Paul felt?
- If not, what priorities might need to change in your life?
Discipleship Questions
- Who do you need to comfort this week with the comfort that comes from Jesus?
- Who are you praying for that needs to know Jesus?
- What is one step you can take this week to rely on the Lord’s comfort and not the world’s comfort?
Memorize it!
2 Corinthians 1:4 He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Prayer TACOS!
Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for comforting you in your affliction
Adoration- Worship the Lord for His overwhelming love
Confess to the times you haven’t accepted the Lord’s comfort and turned to sinful things to help you cope
Others- Pray for someone you know is hurting. Ask the Lord to comfort them and give you an opportunity to speak His comfort to them this week
Self- Ask the Lord for a reminder of the comfort He gives that overflows into your life.