If you would like to read the Leader’s Guide for this session online, and cut-and-paste the outline for printing then…

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Even though the ministry of reconciliation is only lightly touched in this series we thought this was a perfect place to feature an article recommendation from Ben Pasley called “Being A Reconciler.” As we learn about our place of authority to forgive we come to understand that helping others to forgive each other and to be reconciled is a natural outworking of our kingdom  hearts. Here is an excerpt from the center of the article:

“Before we think, as some have,  that this ministry of reconciliation is exclusively the preaching of a message about Christ’s work to restore us to God we must discover more of what Paul did as a reconciler.  The actions of Paul’s life will reveal his work as a minister of reconciliation. This brings us the moment in the letter where Paul is pouring out his heart to the Church.  He is pleading for another kind of reconciliation–not between God and man, but between brothers and sisters.  In chapter 6 he implores the Corinthian believers as a father with his heart wide open.  He had been suffering because his relationship with these believers was suffering.  He had suffered literal hardships for them, and out of his love, Paul says:

I speak as to my children — open wide your hearts also [to me].

You see, dear friends, our ministry of reconciliation is always a service to others in two directions.  First, it is the sincere work to help others know the love of God and to know Christ has removed all obstacles between them and God.  This is the proclamation of the Gospel in words and with power.

Secondly, we are to be reconciled to one another.

Paul moved directly to imploring the Corinthian believers to open their hearts to him and to be reconciled to him.   Paul knew there was something dividing them, and he suffered under the weight of it.  He knew this suffering was shared by the whole Church there because it was a family issue.  To proclaim the reconciliation of men to God through Christ, Paul was under the divine obligation, the instinct of God, to also be reconciled with the family of God.  The simple point is:  how can we preach the family of God in Christ to individuals…if we cannot be, together as a community–the family of God in Christ?” Read the rest of the online article here.

Download the well formatted PDF article complete with linked Table of Contents, fancy cover, and Bible-ography! being_a_reconciler