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Lesson #10 THE ANCHOR OF THE SOUL 2 Corinthians 5:1 - 10

Someone once said that hope is the anchor of the soul. In the Bible, hope is not uncertain (as we tend to use the word) but a sure thing based on a solid foundation. When we know that our life is safe in God's hands, it gives us the security to hold onto the things of this life more loosely. What a message for a confused world!

I. A certain future 5:1-5
II. Walking by faith 5:6-10

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

What is the "earthly tent" and the "building from God"? (Why doesn’t he say "earthly building" or "tent from God"? How do we "groan" here on earth? Paraphrase (re-write in your own words) verse 4. You may want to refer to some other Bible translations. In verse 5, what is "this very purpose"? How is the Holy Spirit a "guarantee" (verse 5)? Verse 7. What do the following passages tell you about "faith"? (Heb. 11:1-2, Acts 20: 32, Matt. 6 33, 2 Peter 1:4, Rom 8:1, I John 1:9) Verse 10. What is the "Judgment Seat of Christ"? (Look up "judgment" in a Bible dictionary.) What was the "bema" in the city of Corinth? Is Paul talking to believers here? If so, then why are they going to be "judged"? Is this the same as the judgment for unbelievers? (Refer to Romans 8:1 and 1 Cor 3:12-15) For Paul, the judgment seat of Christ (verse 10) seems to motivate him to want to please God (verse 9). Are you motivated in the same way?

ow we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 We live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA? In your own words, summarize the main point of this passage.

LIFE RESPONSE How is God asking you to put this into action in your life this week?

Verse 7 says we are to "live (or literally, "walk") by faith, not by sight." Is there a situation in your life right now where God is asking you to walk by faith?