J-Curve Classes, Chapter 36: The Beauty of a Jesus Community: Including the Distant Outsider

Class Description: Session 36, Chapter 36

Chapter 36: The Beauty of a Jesus Community: Including the Distant Outsider

“But Paul mentions in the same breath the now infinitely valuable slaves and the wealthy aristocrats. They are on equal footing, completely valued in Christ, in his body in a virtual Jesus community. The gospel re-enacted by its leaders has worked.”

Class Notes:

So that we can capture the whole context of what PM is going to show us today in chapter 36, let’s begin by reading 2 Cor. 8:1-15.

1. Bottom of P 299 The poor have no value, so their thanks have no weight.

a. The apostle Paul is trying to get the Corinthians off the failure/boasting chart. In your own words, why would the wealthy Corinthians have spurned an opportunity to give to poor Judean believers?

2. P 300

a. Why is it critical for us to see J Curve living modeled? Why did the Corinthians need the example of the Philippian believers?

b. Justification by faith levels the playing ground, destroying the Failure-Boasting Chart with its factions, jealousy, and exclusions.

i. Encounter at the dollar store with a young mom. “Nice Truck.”

ii. Have the things we’ve been discussing this year leveled the ground for you? Are you and I learning to see “the weak” as infinitely valuable?

3. P 301 Because the Corinthians live on the Failure-Boasting Chart, they love receiving grace, but they give it sparingly.

a. How does failing to extend grace cheapen the grace we’ve received?

4. Pp 301-2 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich (life), yet for your sake he became poor (death), so that you by his poverty might become rich (resurrection) (2 Cor. 8:9).... Paul doesn’t berate the Corinthians for not giving. He points them to a new vision of beauty - the sacrificial death of Jesus.

a. Jesus isn’t simply the payment, he’s the model! Paul is providing the Corinthians with an opportunity to incarnate with their brothers and sisters in Christ. In what ways is this vision of beauty so much higher than remaining on the F/B chart?

b. This account has gotten me thinking about the Afghan refugees. Anybody else thinking that way?

5. P 304 “But Paul mentions in the same breath the now infinitely valuable slaves and the wealthy aristocrats. They are on equal footing, completely valued in Christ, in his body in a virtual Jesus community. The gospel re-enacted by its leaders has worked.... Only when the other becomes my brother or sister, only when objects of pity become people - even friends - do we create a divine community.

a. How/Where is that happening at Brick Lane?

b. Where do we still need to grow?

6. Anything in particular stand out to you from the conclusion or from the Afterward?

7. General comments on our time together?

a. What has been impactful?

b. How are you growing?

c. Where have you embraced suffering in new ways?

d. Where are you seeing resurrections?

e. Are you embracing a new vision of the good anywhere?