September 3: Thursday — Comfort and Joy
Bible Focus
- 2 Corinthians 7:2–16
- 2 Corinthians 1:3–7
Summary
- Paul loved the Corinthians deeply and wanted them to open their hearts to him.
- The Corinthians had responded to his correction, and this brought great joy to Paul.
- Paul had been troubled while waiting to hear how they had received his painful letter.
- Titus brought Paul good news that the Corinthians had responded with repentance.
- Their sorrow was not just regret because it led them to change their wrong ways.
- Paul rejoiced because their godly sorrow had brought them closer to God.
- Their repentance also brought Paul relief because his difficult letter had achieved its loving purpose.
- God used Titus’s good report to comfort Paul in the middle of his own troubles.
- Paul knew that this comfort came from God, the One who comforts His people in their troubles.
- True repentance therefore brings joy because it turns a person from wrong back to God.
Question
- What happens when I allow godly sorrow to lead me to repentance?
Answer
- God uses that sorrow to turn me away from wrong and bring me back to Him, and this brings true peace and joy.
Reflection
- When God shows me something wrong in my life, do I only feel sorry, or do I allow that sorrow to lead me to change?
Takeaway
- Godly sorrow is a blessing when it leads you back to God, because genuine repentance brings comfort, restoration, and joy.
Read the Lesson 10 Overview for the main themes of authentic Christian ministry, suffering, reconciliation, holiness, and repentance.
Explore Fruits of an Authentic Ministry for Sunday’s study on how changed lives reveal God’s grace and the work of Christ.
Read Suffering and Glory for Monday’s study on Christian endurance, suffering, resurrection hope, and God’s eternal glory.
Explore Christ-Focused Ministry of Reconciliation for Tuesday’s study on Christ’s sacrifice, reconciliation with God, becoming a new creation, and serving as ambassadors for Christ.
Read Call to Holiness for Wednesday’s study on God’s presence, reconciliation, and the call to live a holy life.
Explore Comfort and Joy for Thursday’s study on godly sorrow, genuine repentance, restoration, and the comfort God gives His people.
Browse the Sunday–Friday Lesson 10 Study Notes for simple, Bible-based insights from the Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide.
Explore our Swahili Sabbath School Lessons for Kiswahili translations of the weekly lesson.
Visit our French Sabbath School Lessons for French translations of the Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide.
