First Watch - The New Commission

LESSON 4 - THE GOSPEL OF RECONCILIATION

Acts 17:11 - 11 Now, the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. (NIV)
Hebrews 5:11-14 - 11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
1 Peter 3:15, 16 - 15But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Proverbs 27:17 - 17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (KJV)
Matthew 28:19, 20 - 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

LESSON 4 - THE GOSPEL OF RECONCILIATION

Background / Lesson Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 5:1 – 21

Key / Focus Scripture(s) – 2 Corinthians 5:17 – 19 “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” (NKJV)

Guided Discussion – Questions
What is the longest you have ever been estranged from a loved one?
Pointed / Direct Questions
1. Paul has just noted that even in the midst of affliction, perplexity, persecution—and in the face of death—believers are able to hold on to the hope they have received through Christ. To what hope can we cling if our “earthly house” (our body ) is destroyed (see verse 1)?
2. How does keeping our focus on eternity help us to navigate the trials of this world? How does this require walking by faith and not by sight (see verses 4 – 7)
3. Paul follows up his discussion on the hope we have received with some practical takeaways on how these truths should affect our lives. How does Paul say we should conduct ourselves? What should we remember as we consider our actions (see verses 9–10?)
4. When Paul says we should know the “terror of the Lord,” he is saying we should hold Him in reverential awe as the future judge of the world. How should this truth compel us to tell others about the gospel (see verse 11)?
5. Paul again returned to the defense of his ministry when he was with the Corinthians. In what does he want the believers to “boast” (see verse 12)?
6. What does Paul say motivated all his actions? How does he say that we should live in light of knowing the truth that Jesus died for our sins (see verses 13 – 15)?
7. Paul had learned to not judge people in terms of “the flesh” or outward appearances but on the spiritual condition of their hearts. What does Paul say about a person who has received Christ? What changes have taken place in that person’s life (see verses 16–17)?
8. Paul states that it was God who reached out to sinful humankind and made the initial steps toward restoration. What task has He given to us in this respect? In what ways are we to be “ambassadors for Christ” (see verses 18–21)?

REVIEWING THE STORY
9. What reason does Paul give as to why Christians “groan” in this present world (see 2 Corinthians 5:2)
10. What will happen when we appear before the judgement seat of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:10)?
11. Whom does Paul say was able to impress the Corinthians Christians (2 Corinthians 5:12)?
12. What is true of anyone who is in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)?

APPLYING THE MESSAGE
13. How would you explain to an unbeliever what happens when you stop living for yourself and start living for Christ?
14. How can you prevent yourself from becoming overly impressed by people who “boast in appearance and not in heart” (2 Corinthians 5:12)?

REFLECTING ON THE MEANING
15. What is the most challenging aspect of being an ambassador for Christ?


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LESSON 3 - TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS

Acts 17:11 - 11 Now, the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. (NIV)
Hebrews 5:11-14 - 11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
1 Peter 3:15, 16 - 15But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Proverbs 27:17 - 17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (KJV)
Matthew 28:19, 20 - 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

LESSON 3 - TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS
Background / Lesson Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 4:1 – 18

Key / Focus Scripture(s) – 2 Corinthians 4:7 – 10 “7But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. 8 We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; 9 hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; 10 always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body.” (AMP)

Guided Discussion – Questions
What is a failure in your life that you have worked hard to overcome?

Pointed / Direct Questions
1. The apostle Paul has just discussed the benefits of the new covenant and what it means for believers in Christ. He now returns to discussing his role as a minister of that new covenant. Why does Paul say that he has no reason to lose heart in spite of the trials he faced? What does Paul state that he has renounced (see verses 1–2)?
2. Some had claimed that Paul’s gospel was obscure and that his methods were under-handed. How does Paul respond to these charges? What does he say is really happening if people are not able to see the truth of the gospel he proclaims (see verses 3–6)?
3. Why does Paul say that God entrusted the “treasure” of the gospel to an “earthen vessel” like himself (see verse 7)?
4. What paradoxes of the Christian life does Paul highlight in verses 8 – 9? What was Paul willing to endure so the message of salvation could reach the lost (see verses 11 – 12)?
5. Paul quotes the psalmist who wrote, “I believe, therefore I spoke, I am greatly afflicted” (Psalm 116:10). Why couldn’t Paul remain silent about Christ (see 2 Corinthians 4:13–14)?
6. How does Paul conclude his aurgument that he was sincere in his ministry to the Corinthians? What had he endured for their sake (see verse 15)?
7. The trials that Paul had endured took their toll on his physical health. But why did he refuse to lose heart even in the face of this fact (see verse 16)?
8. How did the apostle Paul consider his trials in this world? How did his perspective enable him to continue his ministry to reveal the “unseen” truths of the gospel (see verses 17–18)?
REVIEWING THE STORY
9. What title did Paul use to refer to Satan (see 2 Corinthians 4:4)?
10. How did Paul describe the impact of the difficulties he faced (see 2 Corinthians 4:8 – 9)?
11. What does Paul say empowers us to speak the message of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 4:13 – 14)?
12. What is the essential difference between the things that are seen and the things that are not seen (see 2 Corinthians 4:18)?
APPLYING THE MESSAGE
13. What are some ways that you “hard-pressed” on every side? What encourangement can you take from Paul’s outlook on the trials we all endure in life?
14. What are some ways that you keep your focus on the promises of eternity with Christ? How does this help you to endure the momentary afflictions in this life?
REFLECTING ON THE MEANING / JOURNALING YOUR RESPONSE
15. When you think of your most recent failure, where are you on the list of the five things to do?

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LESSON 2 - IDENTIFIED WITH CHRIST

Acts 17:11 - 11 Now, the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. (NIV)
Hebrews 5:11-14 - 11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
1 Peter 3:15, 16 - 15But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Proverbs 27:17 - 17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (KJV)
Matthew 28:19, 20 - 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

LESSON 2 - IDENTIFIED WITH CHRIST

Background / Lesson Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 2:1 – 3:18

Key / Focus Scripture(s) – 2 Corinthians 3:12 – 18 “12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech— 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 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.” (NKJV)

Guided Discussion – Questions
What are some triumphs that you have personally experienced in your walk with God?

Pointed / Direct Questions
1. Paul had determined that given the current situation, a visit to Corinth would have only led to further sorrow for himself and the congregation. So, he instead wrote a “severe” (or “sorrowful”) letter to them in place of that visit. What was Paul’s emotional state when he wrote this letter? What was his purpose in writing it (see verses 1–4)?
2. Paul was anguished about the accusations leveled against him, but he was not willing to retaliate against those who had caused him this grief. What does Paul say the church should do regarding the man who had wronged him? What does Paul state as his reason for forgiving the man—and urging the church to do likewise (see verses 5–11)?
3. What further reason does Paul provide for choosing not to visit Corinth (see verses 3:12 – 13)?
4. The memories of Paul’s reunion with Titus in Macedonia prompts him to begin a “great digression” about the apostolic ministry. How does Paul describe his work as a minister of the gospel? How is he different from other itinerant speakers (see verses 14–17)?
5. Paul poses two questions to the believers in Corinth . . . each with an expected answer of “no.” What do these questions reveal about the charges that had been levelled against Paul? What does Paul say was the “proof ” of his ministry among them (see verses 1–3)?
6. In what did Paul say that he placed his trust? What did the apostle add to emphasize that he was not taking credit for the transformation in the believers’ lives (see verses 4–5)?
7. Paul’s mention of his work as a minister “of the new covenant” causes him to reflect on the differences between the old and new covenants. How does Paul refer to the old covenant? How does he describe the blessings of the new covenant (see verses 7–11)?
8. Paul notes that Moses placed a veil over his face after he met with God so the Israelites would not be dazzled by the radiance of the Lord that remained on him (see Exodus 34:33–35). How does Paul use this imagery to point out the differences between those who are still under the burden of the law and those who are in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 3:12–18)?
9. What did Paul want to communicate to the Corinthians in his letter (see 2 Corinthians 2:4)
10. How did God direct the Apostle Paul’s ministry in the city of Troas (see 2 Corinthians 2:12)?
11. Why did Paul describe the Corinthian believers as “an epistle of Christ” (see 2 Corinthians 3:1-3)?
12. What are Christ’s followers able to do because of the hope of the new covenant (see 2 Corinthians 3:12)?

APPLYING THE MESSAGE
13. Why is it so important to forgive those who have sought to do wrong against you?
14. In what ways has God given you boldness to spread the message of Jesus Christ?

REFLECTING ON THE MEANING
15. What are some doors that God has opened and closed in your life?

FIRST WATCH - JOIN US ON ZOOM Saturdays at 8:00 am
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Meeting ID: 875 0445 9707
Passcode: 277798