Our trials can be a blessing.
The experiences Paul described and the counsel he gave in 2 Corinthians can help class members think about the blessings that can come from their trials. To start a discussion, you might ask a class member to come prepared to talk about how a trial blessed his or her life or what he or she learned from someone else who endured a trial. Then you could give class members a few minutes to review 2 Corinthians 1:3–7; 4:6–10, 17–18; and 7:4–7, looking for what Paul taught about the purposes and blessings of trials. Ask class members to share what they find. You might suggest that they read aloud the verse in which they found a particular teaching and then share an experience or testimony related to that teaching.
If you want to do the airplane activity first, you can line these quotes up against the wall too.
To add to your discussion, consider singing together class members’ favorite hymns that testify of the comfort and blessings Heavenly Father and the Savior offer us in times of trial—such as “How Firm a Foundation” (Hymns, no. 85). After singing together, you might invite class members to look for a phrase in 2 Corinthians 1 and 4 that they feel fits the message of the hymn.
This tells a story inspiring story about the Provo Tabernacle and the journey it went through to become a temple.
Object Lesson
Show the students a blank piece of paper. Help them identify that there isn't anything special about the paper. Then put a fold in the paper and say something like "This very ordinary paper is not getting along with one of their teachers." Make another fold "Then it had to sit alone at lunch." This poor piece of paper had to walk home from soccer practice, because the family car isn't working." Continue to make folds and scenario's that apply to the students. By the end you will have make an airplane out of the plane piece of paper. Bear you testimony that there is a purpose and blessings that come from trials.
Here is a video that teaches how to make 3 airplanes.
You can't make an airplane without letting the students do it too(: If there aren't enough scriptures/questions for everyone, they can share, look it up together and discuss it.
Download the papers Here
Forgiveness is a blessing we both give and receive.
We’ve all had experiences when someone has “caused grief” for us or our family (verse 5). Perhaps class members could search 2 Corinthians 2:5–11, looking for counsel from Paul about how we should treat someone who has offended us. Consider inviting class members to review Matthew 5:43–48 and Luke 15:11–32 to learn more about how we should treat those who have offended us. How do we harm ourselves and others when we choose not to forgive?
Object lesson
Have someone in your class hold a bunch of hymn books above their heads, while you read the scripture search 2 Corinthians 2:5–11, Ask the students how this applies to not forgiving someone.
Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be reconciled to God.
Many people come to church with a desire to feel closer to God, and a discussion of 2 Corinthians 5:14–21 can help them. To begin, class members could explore the meaning of the word reconcile, perhaps beginning by looking up the word in a dictionary. What insights does this provide about being reconciled with God? What additional insights do we gain from the entry “Atonement” in the Bible Dictionary? How do these insights help us understand 2 Corinthians 5:14–21? You may want to invite class members to share their feelings about the Savior, whose Atonement makes it possible for us to be reunited with God.
After the children have guessed the word, while building a man, look up the scriptures and testify that through Christ atonement we are made alive.
Godly sorrow leads to repentance.
2 Corinthians 7:8–11 gives a helpful explanation of godly sorrow and its role in repentance. What do we learn about godly sorrow from 2 Corinthians 7:8–11 and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s words in “Additional Resources”? Why is godly sorrow essential to repentance?
You might feel impressed to encourage a broader discussion about repentance. If so, you could try something like this: Write on the board Repentance is . Ask class members to find ways to complete this phrase, using things they learn from 2 Corinthians 7:8–11, as well as from the scriptures and other resources found in the Gospel Topics article “Repentance” (topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). How might we use these teachings to help someone understand how to sincerely repent?
Click on the image to be taken to the churches website to watch Living a life of Daily Repentance.
