Episode #1 : “CAN YOU SEE NOW?”
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
QUESTIONS FOR YOU AND YOUR BIBLE CLASS TO PONDER
1. Is there anything remarkable in your life that stopped someone in their tracks and said "You're different. Why?"
In light of 1 Peter 3:15, what can you start doing more of?
What can you stop doing?
2. The Macedonians gave 'beyond their means' (2 Cor 8:3).
Is it ever foolhardy to take risk for the cause of God? If so, when?
When is it right?
3. The Macedonian credits her generosity and those of her fellow believers to what Paul calls an 'act of grace' (see 2 Cor 8: 6,7).
How can we adopt the Macedonian outlook and look away from what we don't have (in their case money)?
How do we look towards God to work an act of grace through us?
RESOURCES TO DIG DEEPER
WATCH
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BibleProject. (2016, November 3). Book of Titus summary: A complete animated overview. YouTube. Book of Titus Summary | Watch an Overview Video (bibleproject.com)
A comprehensive and thought provoking graphic summary of Titus, shedding light on this trusted fellow worker with Paul.
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Drive Thru History with Dave Stotts. (2018, September 3). Who were the ancient Bereans?. YouTube
While touring religious sites in modern Berea, Stotts places the city in biblical and historical context, highlighting the important example of the Bereans to search the scriptures.
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Lineage Journey. (2022, October 6). Paul & Silas: Preaching in Philippi | Pentecost to Patmos | episode 6 | lineage. YouTube
Stunning photography of ancient sites and stirring music, along with biblically based narration, give memorable information regarding Paul’s work in Philippi.
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Religious Education Curtis Castillow. (2020, September 1). Thessalonica overview by Drive by history. YouTube.
Set in modern day Thessaloniki, this video gives a helpful overview of the excavated ruins as well as the historical and biblical significance of the ancient city. Unfortunately the modern city covers most of the ruins.
LISTEN
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De Witt, A. arr. M. Green (2023) Your Grace is Sufficient for me. [Recorded by Williamsburg Christadelphian Foundation].
God’s grace is all we need, but in return we are to dedicate our lives and resources to serving Him and each other. Our faith must be built on Christ so that it will endure.
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Gillard, R. and B. Pulkinham. (2022) Brother, Sister, let me serve you. [Recorded by Williamsburg Christadelphian Foundation].
As we have benefited from Christ’s love and service, so we should show that same love and grace to our brothers and sisters as we travel towards the Kingdom.
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[OlsonElijah]. (2012, December 20). Charles H. Gabriel - Send The Light [Video]. YouTube.
This rousing classic is really about the Macedonian appeal for help in Acts 16 rather than the help given by the same referenced in 2 Corinthians 8 but the themes of service, light and grace are consistent in both passages and this composition.
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Smith, Josh. (2017) Grow in Grace. Good Christadelphian Talks Podcast episode 32
How do we grow in grace? We have a responsibility to give as we have received grace. God is taking us through a process and each time he gives us grace he seeks a response on our path to change. Works of faith and works of law can be the same but are viewed differently. We have a high standard to strive for, and this leaves room for grace. Grow in Grace - from Peter - is to grow and to multiply it. We become stewards. As our grace grows, we can impact the amount of praise, honour and glory attributed to God. We should have a willing spirit and demonstrate our gratefulness for the kindness that has been shown to us through showing grace to others. Everyday situations give us many opportunities to demonstrate this.
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Styles, John. (2009) Paul & the Jerusalem Poor Fund. Retrieved Aug 11, 2023
Paul and Barnabus were commissioned by the apostles in Jerusalem to care for the poor in Jerusalem, and in Acts 11 a collection was taken to send help to the ecclesias in Judea. The appeal in 2 Corinthians was about nine years later. Help may have been needed because the effects of the AD 41 famine would have continued for several years after the official end, and the famine would have drained the existing resources. Further, Jewish converts were excommunicated from the synagogue which would have left them without help from that front. Another factor was that Paul had been responsible for persecution in this area which had caused the believers to flee from Jerusalem but thereby caused the word to spread to surrounding areas. Those without the means to flee would have been the only ones left in the area. The offering of help to other believers embodied the spirit of love and grace to other believers - from Gentile to Jewish. This “knitting together” of Jews and Gentiles into one body was a cause very close to Paul’s heart and one that he worked tirelessly to accomplish.
READ
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Barling, William Frederick. “Grace in Action.” The Letters to Corinth: An Expository Survey, Christadelphian, Birmingham, GB, 1960, pp. 198–205.
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Long, P. J., Dr. (2019, October 11). The Collection – 2 Corinthians 8:1-24. Reading Acts. Retrieved August 22, 2023
Dr. Long gives a helpful summary of the historical background to the appeal in 2 Corinthians 8. The reader is left with interesting food for thought, and the comments on the article provide further insight and inspiration for more study.
https://readingacts.com/2019/10/11/the-collection-2-corinthians-81-24/CLICK TO READ
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Christadelphian Tidings. (2020, May 1). Titus. Tidings.
In addition to the book that bears his name, Titus is referenced repeatedly in Paul’s epistles as a key part of the establishment of several early churches. He was clearly a trusted ambassador for Paul and assisted in dealing with many challenging circumstances.
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Smith, S. (Ed.). (2023, August 14). 100 Bible verses about generosity. What Does the Bible Say About Generosity?
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Wilson, R. S. (2018). [Paul’s] 2nd Missionary Journey showing Roman Provinces. Apostle Paul - Maps of his journeys.
This very helpful map shows the location of ancient Macedonia in context with Paul’s second missionary journey. It is interesting to note that three churches named in Scripture were in Macedonia: Berea, Thessalonica and Philippi.