In the World–June 9, 2024

Download “In the World” for June 9, 2024 here.

GLORY NOT SURPASSED

The 2024 Summer Olympics are scheduled to begin next month in Paris. In attendance will be track-and-field great Usain Bolt—but only as an observer. Bolt set two world records in 2009, for the 100-meter and the 200-meter dash, and those records still stand. Five sprinters have run under ten seconds in the 100-meter race, this year alone. But Bolt’s record is 9.58 seconds. “I don’t think the world record will be under threat,” he says. “I think I still have a few more years to go.” So far, his athletic glory remains intact. “I do miss competition, especially when I watch it,” he says.

GLORY FAR SURPASSED

In today’s text, Paul contrasts the glory of the “ministry of condemnation” (the old covenant) with the ministry of righteousness (the new covenant). The glory of the new greatly surpasses the old, so much that it overwhelms their comparison. When the old covenant was given by God, Moses’ face shone so brightly that he wore a veil. How much more glorious is the eternal covenant of the Spirit that brings freedom? It will never fade.

1. What’s an achievement that you have proudly attained? Or what is an achievement of someone you know?
2. When have you seen something that made something else obsolete?
3. How is the new covenant superior to the old?

Additional Resource

Any videos or web materials are for your personal use. If you play any media files in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

• Traditional Playlist on Spotify
• Multicultural Playlist on Spotify
• Contemporary Playlist on Spotify
• Carla Works’s “Commentary on 2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2”
• Tim Mackie and Witney Woollard on “Second Corinthians: Paradox of the Cross”
• BibleProject Guide “Book of 2 Corinthians”