GSCC Small Group 05-11-07

8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. 13What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 15You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.

1. When you hear the word “death”, what do you think of? Have you experienced desperation close to the feeling of death?
2. What are the things you are afraid of most in your life? How do you relate them to death? (lead people to the direction of bondage of sins and spiritual death)
3. What does “Jesus destroyed death” mean to me? (overcome fear of physical death, powerless over sins, separation from eternity)
4. Read V12, Paul was facing his own death, yet he was not ashamed about God’s gospel he preached, because he knew Him. How can knowing God make a difference for Paul to face death? How can knowing God make a difference in our facing death?
5. Read V14, what does “guard the good deposit (gospel)” mean to you? Where do you think the gospel is preserved? in individuals or in the church?
6. Verses 15-18 indicate that “Christians” in Asia had deserted Paul and his gospel. Do you feel people around you largely have deserted the gospel? Do you have the confidence that God will preserve the Gospel in His church no matter how the world may become? Read Verse 12 again.