2 Corinthians 3

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Old Covenant and the New Covenant Contrasted

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The reality of changed lives is evidence of the truth.

  2. The glory of the New Covenant is evidence of the truth.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Let’s experience the blessing of an unveiled face.

QUESTIONS

  1. What are the two sides of the truth of the gospel?

  2. How does Paul defend his ministry in this chapter?

  3. Was Paul defending his ministry in order to bring glory to himself?

  4. Why was it important for the Corinthians to understand that the New Covenant far surpasses the glory of the Old Covenant?

  5. Was their glory associated with the Old Covenant?

ANSWERS

  1. There is the good news of forgiveness of sins and eternal life as a gift for those who receive Christ as Savior. But for those who reject Christ there is the sad news of eternal separation from God.

  2. He points to the conversion of the Corinthians themselves.

  3. No. All of his sufficiency and competence were found in Christ.

  4. The false teachers at Corinth were Judaizers, who were over-emphasizing the Law and mixing law with grace.

  5. Yes. After all, the Law was given to Moses by the Lord himself. But the glory associated with the Law was a fading glory- not the eternal glory of the gospel.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Discuss how the reality of changed lives is evidence of the truth of the message we preach. Contrast this with the world’s self-help programs that are only surface deep.

  2. Discuss 2 Corinthians 3:14-16. How does this relate to Jewish people today? What happens when Jewish people do come to Christ?

CHALLENGE

  1. The Bible is the mirror where we behold the glory of the Lord. As we become more Christ-like, we not only reflect the glory of the Lord—we radiate it!

KEY VERSES

  • “You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men.” 2 Corinthians 3:2

  • “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

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