We saw last week that Paul had some loose ends to tie up for I Corinthians.  The first related to a visit he never made.  The second is altogether more complex, and challenging for us.  It relates to a situation that Paul addressed back in I Cor.5.  You might remember it (it’s hard to forget, but in case you’re not familiar with the incident, have a read of it before we get into this week’s study!).  It’s hard to know what caused Paul more angst: the actual sexual immorality, or the fact that the Corinthian Church so misunderstood the dynamics of grace that they were proud to have this going on in their midst!  Either way, Paul had to call them to address it in a very direct and uncompromising way.  ‘…hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh’ (I Cor.5:5).

The good news is that the Corinthians had – sort of - got their heads straight and their house in order.  But as is so often the way, they had over-corrected, and the pendulum had swung too far in the opposite direction.  Now they won’t welcome him back, even when he has repented!  They still weren’t quite clear about the dynamics of grace!  This will shape a good bit of the next couple of chapters, so more on that in the weeks ahead. 

What they hadn’t quite settled on is the idea that our dealing with one another are supposed to be motivated by heart of Christ-like love that is focused on other people growing as Christians.  We make the decisions we do in Church life based on the question of what is needed to help each other become more like Jesus.  This is where we’ll focus our attention in this study.  2:1-4 is the conclusion to last week’s train of thought.  Paul is waiting for the dust to settle on what he knows has been the devastating experience of receiving First Corinthians.  It had been a painful letter to write (2:4), and it had been a painful letter to receive (2:2).  But, it had been motivated by Paul’s love for the Church (2:4).  Have they had enough time to process what Paul had to say?  Paul thinks so and is already en route to Corinth for what he hopes will be a conciliatory visit (though he fears it might have to be otherwise, 13:1-4).  Either way, he wants to get on to the question of the point of being the Church in the first place – something he begins to explore in 2:12-17.

Read I Cor.5:1-12, & II Cor.2:5-11

How does someone’s sin cause grief to the wider Church?  When is our sin a personal and private affair? …and when is it a public and Church affair?

Do you see others in the Church as having the right to address patterns of sin they see in your life and character? 

Have you ever been in a Church that excommunicated someone?  Do you think this is the sort of thing Churches should do?  If so, under what circumstances?  What is it about the situation in I Cor.5 that sets it apart from everything else that is going wrong at Corinth?

Are you aware of other instances in the Bible where particular patterns of sin are addressed in this way?

What does it mean to ‘hand someone over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh’ (I Cor.5:1)?  How does this lead to their spirit being saved on the Day of the Lord?  Has the strategy worked?  What has it achieved?

Paul fears that Satan might ‘outwit us’ (2:11).  What do you think he has in mind?  What would it look like to be outwitted by Satan? 

Paul says we are ‘not unaware of his schemes’.  is he right?  Based on what is going on in this passage, what would you say were are Satan’s schemes?  How can we ensure we (a) not unaware, and (b) do not fall foul of those schemes?

…and if you still have time and energy, let’s take a quick look at 2:12-17

Normally when we talk of an ‘open door’ we mean an opportunity that we ought to take advantage of.  Why does Paul use this terminology about something he doesn’t do!?  When is it OK to not ‘preach the Gospel of Christ’?

Why does Paul talk of Christians as ‘captives in Christ’s triumphal procession’ (v.14)?  How does knowing this affect your experience of discipleship? 

What is the point of Paul’s ‘aroma’ analogy in vv.14-16 (maybe haave a look at Eph.5:2)?  The same aroma produces two very different consequences in its wake.  What is Paul teaching us about the nature of mission and the experience of the Church?

How can we get better at spreading the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere?  Think of an area of mission or ministry you are involved with.  How can you tweak that so that ‘the aroma of Christ’ is stronger?

note to rest of Homegroup: ask them how it is going in the weeks ahead!

How can you tell whether someone is speaking before God with sincerity?  In the light of passages such as Phil.1:15-18, does it really matter what motivates someone?