2 Corinthians 1–7

The Apostle Paul wrote of God’s mercy and comfort. He admonished the Corinthian Saints to love and forgive one another. He taught them how to be reconciled to Heavenly Father through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and become new creatures. Paul expressed joy at having received word that the Saints in Corinth had accepted his counsel in an earlier epistle and had repented.

Additional Resources

Scripture Helps: New Testament, “2 Corinthians 1–7”

Note: The “Introduction to the Course” provides guidance on how to use the four standard lesson elements that follow.

Encouraging Personal Study

Before class, consider sending students one or more of the following messages or some of your own:

• Are you or a loved one currently going through a trial? Consider how Paul’s teachings in 2 Corinthians 1 might help.

• Have you ever felt a desire to change? As you study 2 Corinthians 5:14–21, look for what Paul taught that can help you become a changed person. Instead of reading, you could watch the video “Reconciled to God” (1:59).

• Read 2 Corinthians 7:9–10 to find what Paul had to say about godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. You might also read the section titled “Godly Sorrow” from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s message “You Can Do It Now!” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013).

Questions and Sharing

Provide time for students to ask questions and share insights and truths they discovered in their personal study of 2 Corinthians 1–7.

Skill Training

2 Corinthians 7:8–10 might be a helpful place to use the skill “Looking for Contrasts in the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills.

Learning Activity Options

Multiple learning options are provided for you and your students. Prayerfully choose which option or options will be most meaningful for your class.

• 2 Corinthians 1:3–9; 11:23–28

  How can God help me as I experience trials and troubles?

• 2 Corinthians 5:11–21

  Can I really change?

• 2 Corinthians 7:8–10

  How can godly sorrow draw me closer to Jesus Christ?

2 Corinthians 1:3–9; 11:23–28

How can God help me as I experience trials and troubles?

Invite students to write down some trials they have faced or are currently facing. Then ask them to ponder the following question:

• How do you typically respond to the trials and troubles you face?

Explain that in his ministry, Paul faced many trials. Students could read 2 Corinthians 11:23–28 and look for trials Paul faced. After students have read this list of Paul’s trials, invite them to study 2 Corinthians 1:3–7, looking for Paul’s counsel about how to face trials and troubles. (If needed, explain that a small group of Church members in Corinth opposed Paul and wanted him to have less influence among them. In these verses, Paul greeted the Saints in Corinth and told them of the comfort and consolation God had given him and his missionary companions.)

You could discuss the following questions:

• What do these verses teach us about the character of God? (Students may identify a truth like the following: Heavenly Father is a God of compassion, who comforts us in our trials and troubles.)

• What are examples from the scriptures of Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ comforting people in their trials and troubles? How about examples from your own life?

To help students more deeply feel and know that Heavenly Father is a God of compassion and comfort, consider watching “Feeling the Lord’s Love and Goodness in Trials” (4:18).

• According to 2 Corinthians 1:3–4, what is the result of experiencing Heavenly Father’s compassion and comfort?

You could share the following statement by Elder John C. Pingree Jr.:

Our trials help us discover and prepare for the work Heavenly Father has for us. Alma explained, “After much tribulation, the Lord … made me an instrument in his hands” (Mosiah 23:10). Like the Savior, whose atoning sacrifice enables Him to succor us (see Alma 7:11–12), we can use knowledge gained from difficult experiences to lift, strengthen, and bless others. (“I Have a Work for Thee,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 34)

Invite students to share examples of how they were able to comfort or strengthen someone else because of the Savior’s influence. Or they could share how someone else was able to comfort or strengthen them.

Invite students to look at the trials they wrote down at the beginning of this activity. Give them time to ponder and record their thoughts to the following questions:

• In what ways might Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ be providing you comfort and compassion in your situation?

• How might your trials and troubles be preparing you to comfort, lift, strengthen, and bless others?

To close, you could listen to or sing together “Where Can I Turn for Peace?” (Hymns, no. 129). Invite students to follow along or listen for words or phrases that are meaningful to them and that can help them in their circumstances.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

2 Corinthians 5:11–21

Can I really change?

Consider showing the following image of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. Invite students to share what is impressive to them about this change. Then write the following incomplete statement on the board and have each student record how they would complete it. Invite some students to share what they wrote.

Just as a caterpillar can transform into a butterfly, human beings can transform into …

Explain that in 2 Corinthians 5:11–21, Paul taught that we can be transformed into new creatures. Invite students to search 2 Corinthians 5:14–21 (including the Joseph Smith Translation in footnote a of verse 16), looking for what Paul taught about this transformation.

• What do you think it means to become a new creature?

• It might be helpful to have students form small groups and go to the Topical Guide and read some passages under the heading “Man, New, Spiritually Reborn.” Invite them to look for words and phrases that clarify what it means to be a new creature. Ask them to share their insights. Based on what they have learned, students could revise the statement they wrote at the beginning of this activity.

• What role does Jesus Christ play in your transformation to become a new creature? (Students may identify a truth like the following: Through Jesus Christ we can be reconciled to Heavenly Father and become new creatures.)

• What is meant by Jesus Christ’s “ministry of reconciliation”? (Students could read “2 Corinthians 5:18–21. What does it mean to be reconciled to God?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.)

• What feelings do you have for Jesus Christ, knowing that through His Atonement you can be reconciled to Heavenly Father and become a new creature?

To help students apply the truths they are learning, you could display the following scenario:

Kofi is discouraged about some bad habits he has acquired. He wants to overcome them but sometimes feels like it’s an impossible task. After a recent mistake, he is discouraged and thinks his situation is hopeless.

• Based on our discussion, what truths might bring hope to Kofi?

Consider sharing the following statement by Elder Kevin S. Hamilton:

One of Satan’s greatest lies is that men and women cannot change. …

Our greatest weaknesses can become our greatest strengths. We can be changed and “become new creatures” [Mosiah 27:24–26; see also 2 Corinthians 5:17]. …

The Savior worked out His infinite and eternal Atonement so that we could in fact change, repent, and become better. We can actually be born again. We can overcome habits, addictions, and even the “disposition to do evil” [Mosiah 5:2]. As sons and daughters of a loving Father in Heaven, we have the power within us to change. (“Then Will I Make Weak Things Become Strong,” Liahona, May 2022, 52)

• What in this statement might help Kofi? How can it help you? (Students could record their thoughts.)

• What are some examples from the scriptures or from your own life that demonstrate that people can truly change and become new creatures with the Savior’s help? (If helpful, you could watch “His Grace: Change Is Possible Through Christ” [3:29].)

Encourage students to record spiritual impressions they have had about what they could do to experience change through Jesus Christ.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

2 Corinthians 7:8–10

How can godly sorrow draw me closer to Jesus Christ?

You could begin by sharing the following scenario:

John was caught stealing money from his employer. He was immediately fired. He regrets his actions because they have cost him his job, ruined his reputation, and brought embarrassment to his family. He is worried what family and ward members will think of him when they find out what he has done.

• What appears to be John’s main concern? What might be missing?

Explain that in 2 Corinthians 7, Paul taught important truths about godly and worldly sorrow. Invite students to read 2 Corinthians 7:8–10, looking for why it is important to seek godly sorrow in our lives. (Note: It may be important for those using the King James Version to know that the word translated as “repent” in verse 8 means “regret.” Also, “not to be repented of” means “not to regret.”)

• What do we learn about godly sorrow and worldly sorrow from Paul? (Help students identify the following truths: Godly sorrow leads to sincere repentance and a life without regret. Worldly sorrow leads to spiritual death or separation from God.)

• How would you describe the difference between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow? (Students could read “2 Corinthians 7:8–11. What is godly sorrow?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.)

Display and read the following statement by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then a member of the First Presidency. Invite students to look for what he teaches about godly sorrow.

Godly sorrow leads to conversion and a change of heart. It causes us to hate sin and love goodness. It encourages us to stand up and walk in the light of Christ’s love. True repentance is about transformation, not torture or torment. Yes, heartfelt regret and true remorse for disobedience are often painful and very important steps in the sacred process of repentance. But when guilt leads to self-loathing or prevents us from rising up again, it is impeding rather than promoting our repentance. …

… There is a better way. … We have a champion, a Savior, who walked through the valley of the shadow of death on our behalf. He gave Himself as a ransom for our sins. No one has ever had greater love than this … . He took upon Himself our suffering. He took our burdens, our guilt upon His shoulders. (“You Can Do It Now!,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 56)

• How would you describe the “better way” that President Uchtdorf taught?

• How can focusing on the Savior and His Atonement lead us to godly sorrow, sincere repentance, and real change?

You could have students rewrite the scenario about John in a way that shows he is experiencing godly sorrow for his actions. Invite students to share their revisions.

Encourage students to consider what they can do to be more receptive to godly sorrow in their lives.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”