Be Wise 1 Corinthians

Transcription

1 Be Wise 1 Corinthians Introduction Watch Video Read Scripture Series: Paul's 1st Letter to the Corinthians by The Bible Project on Youtube What are we now expecting to come across as we move through the book of 1 Corinthians? Did we learn anything we didn t know about the letter from the video? Starting at Chapter 1! Group Activity Write down your definition for leadership, just a one liner. Share these around the group. A Leader is someone who others follow What are the pros and cons of following another person? Personal Reflection Think back to school and recall a clique that you were either a part of, or excluded from. How did your experience with that clique feel? In Chapter 1 we will begin to see the spiritual roots of united and divided communities. Thanksgiving READ 1 Cor 1:1-9 Before we consider the problems of the Corinthians, what does Paul say about why he is thankful for them? Consider a Christian group you are a part of, what is one characteristic you are grateful for? Awareness of the Issues READ Vs What problem in the church is mentioned? And what does Paul want them to do about it? What is at the heart of Paul s three critical questions? What did he do to try and avoid the problem of a personality cult? When might respect for a Christian leader become unhealthy? The Message of the Cross READ Vs What are the two reactions to the message of the Cross? While the Corinthians widely boasted in worldly wisdom and those who taught it, the message of the cross destroys such boasting. How? The Corinthians also felt intellectually and spiritually superior to others. But, how impressive are they by human standards? Why has God made the church like this? (Vs26-29) Christian leaders will not sound impressive and Christian Churches won t look impressive. Who are Christians to see as impressive? Humility As you reflect on your past, what reasons do you have for being humble rather than proud? How do you think genuine humility can promote unity amongst Christian communities and groups? Challenge: What is The message of the Cross? Why does it appear foolish to the world around us? What will often happen when we tell people about Jesus? How is this a challenge for us? Finally, How does the Cross shape your everyday decisions? Mitchell Herps 1

2 Be wise about the Gospel 1 Corinthians 2 Group Activity Vs1 talks about the testimony of God. Spend 2mins each sharing your own personal testimony about the way in which God has worked in your life. Focus upon the way you needed to rest your faith on God. Personal Reflection How has Christianity challenged you to think differently? As we work through this passage we will discover the true source of wisdom that allows us to grow up in Christ. God s Power READ 1 Cor 2:1-5 How was Paul s preaching different to the spectacular, impressive-sounding speakers of Corinth? What did Paul think was most important about his ministry? How have Christians today sometimes succumbed the world s methods in spreading the gospel? A message of wisdom READ Vs 6-16 Where does true wisdom come from? Why are secret and hidden good words to describe this wisdom? If it is secret and hidden, how do we come to firstly know it, and then secondly express it ourselves? Do you ever find yourself listening to the world s wisdom even when you know God says it is foolish? Personal Reflection Can you think of a time when God has give you understanding or communication ability that went beyond your own natural capacity? How could an experience like that become more frequent in your life? How much of your day do you set aside, and commit to spend listening to the world? and how much listening to God in His word? If this needs to change what will you do about it? Challenge: When it comes to understanding God s wisdom, how does the spiritual person contrast to the person who is without the spirit? If they cannot understand God s wisdom and the things of the spirit, how should we communicate the message of the cross, and talk to them about Christ? Mitchell Herps 2

3 Be wise about Church 1 Corinthians 3 So far Paul has written to the Corinthians reminding them of the great gifts they have been given by God in Christ. Specifically, that God has given them all they need to keep going to eternal life. But Paul has also urged them to unite around the message of the Cross instead of being divided. Group Activity Describe in one sentence what you thing church is. Personal Reflection Are you growing as a Christian? Why/Why not? This study will help build a proper perspective of the place of our ministry in the overall work of God, specifically focusing upon Church. Immaturity READ 1 Cor 3:1-9 Even though the Corinthians had the Spirit, why couldn t they be considered Spiritual? What were the visible signs of this? In Vs5-9 how do we see Paul describe 1) God & 2) himself and any other Christian worker? Who should Christians say they follow? APPLY Which Category best describes you: a person without the Spirt? (2:14), an infant in Christ who is still worldly? (3:1) or a spiritual Christian (2:15) Explain why? Personal Reflection What task have you been assigned in the garden of God s church? (vs5) The task at hand READ Vs10-23 How does the metaphor Paul is using change from the first section of the chapter? Describe the ways in which the church is still under construction. What warnings does Paul give in this section? (10,13,17,18) What does it mean to be careful how one builds? Church What are the things Paul shares about God s relationship to the church? (look through the whole chapter) Who does the church belong to? So then, who s wishes and plans for it are more important than our own preferences? Is there any part of your attitude towards church that you need to change? Challenge Using the passage, how might you respond to a friend who says: I really only like listening to (INSERT FAMOUS PREACHER) because they re much more inspiring and interesting than other people. PRAY Try to come up with 2 or 3 prayer points based on what the passage has to say to us. Mitchell Herps 3

4 Be wise about ministry 1 Corinthians 4 Group Activity What makes a good church minister? What should their priorities be? Personal Reflection How does it make you feel when you hear or, or even see people, like missionaries as an example, who are living sacrificially for the sake of the Gospel? In this study we will see what Paul is calling us all to live out when he says imitate me Who should we trust READ 1 Cor 4:1-7 In contrast to the hero worship common in Corinth, how does Paul want him and his co-workers to be regarded? What do those entrusted with church leadership need to do? Above all else, why do you think God requires faithfulness from his servants? What standards do we fall into the trap of using to evaluate God s servant-leaders today? Who s judgement does Paul not care about? (3 groups) Who s judgement does Paul care about? And when will this occur? Vs6 expresses some of what it means to be faithful, what should church leaders avoid doing? How can we help our leaders (particularly pastors/ministers) make sure they don t do this? Now and the future READ Vs8-13 Scripture tells us that the suffering of the present age precedes the glory of the age to come. So then, in their own minds how have the Corinthians taken a shortcut to Glory? How does their glorious description of themselves contract with the descriptions Paul gives of his and his co-workers experiences? It clearly appears that the fake teachers had been promising the Corinthians wealth and power. How does Paul s life show that these are false promises? If you were one of the Corinthians, how would his words make you feel about your actions? Appeal and warning READ Vs14-21 How does Paul describe his relationship to this church? Why does he think of himself in this way? Paul lives a life that is strongly cross-centered. What kind of life does he want the Christians in his care to have? What is the purpose of Paul sending Timothy to them? Challenge In what ways does this passage challenge you to become a fool for Christ? Discuss the two ways in which Paul offers to treat these Christians when we revisits them. How would we like to be treated? Mitchell Herps 4

5 Be wise about discipline 1 Corinthians 5 Group Activity IDEA: Beliefs lead to behavior Why do you think Paul has spent the first 4 chapters of his letter mostly addressing theological matters? Personal Reflection How do you react when you hear about a serious moral or spiritual problem among people from church? In Chapters 1-4 Paul has dealt primarily with division within the church using that issue as the grounds to build a strong foundation of spiritual theology. He moves now onto addressing other serious issues. We must remember however, that growing churches are not always full of spiritually strong and mature Christians. Instead churches are filled with a vast collection of sinners being saved and this is rightly so. This study presents the basis for purity in the whole church, which must include the lives being led by each individual member. Moral issues READ 1 Cor 5:1-8 What has Paul heard happened in the Church? Describe what Church and the society might have been like? How have other church members reacted? What should they be doing? What does Paul hope his discipline will result in? (Vs5) What is the aim of biblical church discipline? CONSIDER: How would you feel if you were the recipient of such discipline by the leaders of your church? Paul describes this man s sin as yeast in the dough of the church. If it s not dealt with, what will the outcome be? Do you think Paul s imagery a fair picture of the problem sin within churches? Many Christians instinctively don t want to think about discipline or confront public sin. Why do you think this is? If there was a lack of discipline in our church, what might the result be? Sin that no one deals with becomes sin that everyone will have to deal with. Association and judgement READ Vs9-12 Why is tolerating and associating with immoral people in the church more dangerous that keeping company with immoral people in secular society? READ Paul s warning in Vs9. What does vs9 NOT mean? (vs10) What does vs9 mean? Who is the church not to judge? Who is going to do this judging? Whose business is it for the Christian community to judge and discipline? Challenge The church is often tempted to judge the world while refusing to judge and discipline itself. Why do you think this is? How can we combat this? Mitchell Herps 5

6 Wisdom about what s beneficial 1 Corinthians 6 Group Activity You ve had a dispute with someone How do you respond and resolve it? Does your reaction change depending on who the person is? Whether you know them or not, whether they re a Christian or not? Personal Reflection In this study we will see the way in which Paul continues to address issues within the Corinthian church. Chapter 6 has a particular focus upon Lawsuits, sexual immorality and doing what is beneficial for others. Lawsuits READ 1 Cor 6:1-8 What has been going on in the church? What is the attitude they are displaying in this situation? They clearly want to get what they feel they deserve, How does Paul address this issue? What commands and guidelines does he give for settling disputes amongst believers? READ Vs9-11 Why does sin matter so much? If they re deceived into thinking sin is ok what is the outcome going to be? What great news does Paul contrasts the wickedness of sin with in Vs11? The word were is repeated throughout why do you think this is? Sexual immorality READ Vs12-20 CONSIDER: How should we be using our bodies? Paul gives four reasons why sexual immorality really does matter. Each one presents a great truth about God as well. The first one is there as an example talk about the rest. TRUTH ABOUT GOD WHY IT SHOWS SEXUAL IMMORALITY MATTERS Vs14 He raises people (physically) If my eternal state will be in my body, what I do with my body is important. Vs15-16 Vs18-19a Vs19b-20 Challenge - Doing what is beneficial In Vs12 Paul speaks strongly stating not everything is beneficial. What does he mean by this? How should this play out practically in our lives? Mitchell Herps 6

7 Be wise about marriage 1 Corinthians 7 Group Activity If we surveyed 100 people around Camden asking they what they needed to make them happy, what do you think the most popular answers would be? Personal Reflection If you were writing a letter to Paul today about marriage, sexuality and singleness, what would our main question be? What is it about the topics of marriage, sexuality and singleness that you find difficult? By working through the passage in this study we will be able to base our views and practice of intimate human relationships on the Scriptures rather than The matters they asked about READ 1 Cor 7:1-9 He continues from chapter 6 addressing sexual immorality Although he agrees celibacy is good why is it impractical for most people? (2,7,9) What practical advice does Paul give to the unmarried as well as the married for avoiding sexual immorality? He emphasizes what a spouse should give not what a spouse should expect, why is this emphasis important? How might this attitude of giving transform marriages? Marriage and divorce READ Vs10-16 Paul seeks to answer questions about marriage and divorce, how do his statements to the married affirm what Jesus had already taught? (see Mark 10:2-12 and/or Matt 19:1-12) Vs12-16 bring up a situation Jesus doesn t teach about Marriages between Christians and Non- Christians. Why might a Christian be tempted to divorce a non-christian? According to Paul, what benefits can be found in remaining in a spiritually mixed marriage? What principles can we find from the Chapter so far that can help us care for Christians who are considering separation or divorce? Why are Pauls instructions here not an easy way out The unmarried and the unmarried who really want to get married READ Vs17-40 In Vs17-24 what idea is repeated most? This point shows us that there is something more important about our identity than our circumstances. What is it? In Paul addresses those considering marriage, why does Paul call singleness a better and happier way when his view of marriage is so high? Taking the chapter as a whole what considerations would help a couple decide whether to marry, to wait or to separate? Which of those considerations apply to your life or the lives of those you are close to right now? Challenge Do you want to change your circumstances or serve Christ through them? Do you need to pray more about living for God, and less about him changing your circumstances? Are dark days in your life an opportunity to serve Christ, or an excuse not to? Mitchell Herps 7

8 Be wise about others 1 Corinthians 8 Group Activity What are you most important rights? Would you ever give them up or allow them to be taken from you? Personal Reflection How do you react when you know you are right and yet someone openly continues to oppose you? In this study Paul addresses the practice of eating food sacrificed to idols but we ll that more than this, he is setting out a principle that applies to all areas of life. The balance of love and knowledge READ 1 Cor 8 Why do we need love as well as knowledge? As Christians what do we know about God? So, what does that tell us about other gods people worship? What does Paul say all Christians should therefore know? Does it matter then whether or not Christians eat meat that has been used in idol worship? Vs7-11 addresses the fact some Corinthian Christians don t understand that eating such meat is fine. What is the problem if they eat such meat? What does Paul say is more important than exercising the freedom that comes from knowledge? In the situation of the Corinthians, what is the loveable thing for knowledgeable Christians to do? What knowledge and freedom that you currently enjoy would you be willing to give up in order to not destroy a weaker brother? CONSIDER: What are some situations today that Christians need to be careful in, so that our freedom does not become a stumbling block to others? How can the behavior of a mature believer challenge an immature believer to grow? Challenge Are you growing in knowledge of how to obey God by educating your conscious from God s word as much as you can? Are you motivated by love for fellow Christians when you know more than a brother or sister about how to live? In what way is your knowledge or how you live because of your knowledge in danger of harming other Christians? Spend some time praying. Ask God to help you train more rigorously for the game of relinquishing right for the sake of love and the gospel. Mitchell Herps 8

9 Be wise about priorities 1 Corinthians 9 Group Activity What are you most important rights? Would you ever give them up or allow them to be taken from you? Personal Reflection How do you react when you know you are right and yet someone openly continues to oppose you? In this study Paul addresses his freedom as a Christian and an Apostle, but we ll that more than this, he is setting out principles that applies to all areas of life. Free as an Apostle READ 1 Cor 9 Paul reminds us that because he is a Christian he is free and also that as an apostle he is also a model to other believers. What does Paul tell us he is free to do as an apostle? Vs4 Vs5 Vs9-12,14 What has Paul decided to do with the rights he enjoys as a Christian and as an Apostle? (Vs12, 15, 19) Why has he done this? (19-22) Priorities and Problems What have some of the priorities of Christian people been in Corinth? Look back over the first half of 1 Corinthians to remind yourself of some of them. Having reflected on some of their priorities, how would have Vs19 of this chapter be a real challenge to them? Running the race Read the final section of the chapter again, How does Paul describe the journey of a Christian? What does this look like for him in his life? What do you think running the race looks like for us? How is what Paul says an encouragement to any Christians who teach others? What is his warning to those running the race? DICTIONARY: Apostle: Someone chosen by God to serve and teach the Christian church. Seal: a mark showing something was authentic, not a fake. Discharging: doing all that is needed to perform a duty. Pray Pray that we might continue running the race faithfully proclaiming the Gospel. Pray too, that we might be an encouragement and a great support for each other as we run the race. Mitchell Herps 9

10 Be wise about God s glory 1 Corinthians 10 Group Activity consider this, if St. John s became the subject of a book in the bible, if the biographer wrote the history into this book, what choices, events and programs would you be most proud of? On the flip side, what might we hope to avoid being recorded in the pages of history? Personal Reflection What questionable practices have you wrestled with personally? In this study Paul addresses questionable practices. The Corinthians were divided over such issues. Christians watching R-rated movies, drinking alcoholic beverages and even the wearing of make up and jewelry could be considered questionable by some. Debates like this over questionable practices are as old as the church itself. In this chapter it is this issue Paul seeks to clarify. Israel: A history READ: 1 Cor 10:1-13 What experiences did the Israelites have in common when they left Egypt bound for the promised land? God wasn t pleased with them, why? Why do you think Paul reminds readers of these events? Reflect on a time you forgot the Lord s goodness and began complaining. Did you become aware that you were testing the Lord s patience? How? How does Paul counter the age-old adage that some temptations are just too irresistible for us? Group Activity: 1. Come up with a list of area s of temptation 2. Rank them in order of likeliness of escape #1 being the temptation you are least likely to believe there is a way of escape. The Lord s Supper READ: 1 Cor 10:14-22 Why are some lifestyles incompatible with celebrating communion? Paul has ben dealing with pastoral problems rather than Christian doctrine (the beliefs of the church) yet here he addresses the sacredness of the Lord s supper What does he teach us about it s sacredness? Having read this, describe how Christians should approach communion and worship in general thinking mainly about our attitude. Doing anything or doing what is beneficial Read: 1 Cor 10:23-33 According to these Vs, what principles should guide our behavior as Christians? What practices might you consider permissable but possibly not beneficial or constructive? Think about your own life. How can the principles discussed in this passage guide your behavior in these specific areas? Paul clearly exhibits a strong emphasis on the voluntary limitation of personal freedom for the good of others and the Gospel. How is following the spirit for the sake of the Gospel different to following a rule? PRAY: Pray that God would deepen this truth in your heart and life: The Christian is a most free lord of all, subject Mitchell Herps 10

11 Be wise about worship 1 Corinthians 11 Group Activity On a Scale of 1-10, how do you rate your group experience of the following areas: Reverence towards God, respect for one another, relationships between men and women, preparation for worship and practical service to one another. What category needs the most improvement? How do you these categories all fit together? Personal Reflection When you enter a worship service, do you tend to think mainly of your own relationship with God, or your relationship with your fellow worshipers? In this study Paul addresses worship. Paul expands on both the vertical (between us and God) and the horizontal (between people) aspects of worships. Men and Women Read: 1 Cor 11:1-16 What seems to be Paul s major concern for the church in this section? Head from vs3 could either mean chief/ruler OR, source/origin Which understanding of headship best fits Paul s concern here? It could be helpful to see the relationship Paul addresses here as a series of comparisons: Christhuman relationship is like the man-woman relationship which is like the God-Christ relationship. In light of the headship described in Vs3, why was it wrong for a man to pray or prophesy with his head covered? (4-10) Head covererings also symbolized the differences between sexes, what difference between men and women have been built into creation by God himself? Why is it important even in the face of current cultural pressures to maintain a biblical distinctiveness for each gender? Whether you are a man or a woman, how is it possibly for us to forget who God is and who you are when you enter into worship? Paul says that in the Lord man is not independent of woman (11-12) Why is this balance important? What difference will this truth make in your relationship to the opposite sex? We don t really have a cultural equivalent for head coverings as Corinthian women did to signal they re marriage status. We also don t exactly understand the precise practice carried out in Corinth. Yet, we should in the same way still express appropriate relationships between men and women. How should we do this? Communion Read 1 Cor 11:17-34 In NT times, Communion was celebrated during a common meal, what abuses had entered into the celebration of the Lord s supper? What is the significance and purpose of the Lord s Supper? In light of this, why would partaking without recognising the body of the Lord be dangerous? (Vs29-32) According to Paul, how are we able to partake in a worthy manner? (28-34) How will you, now knowing this, prepare to participate in communion in the future? What has this chapter taught you overall about worshipping in a manner that is honouring or dishonouring to God? Pray: That having studied a very difficult passage of scripture that God might continue to help us grow in our rightful worship of him, and respect for one another. Mitchell Herps 11

12 Be wise about the body 1 Corinthians 12 Group Activity How might each of these giftings contribute to a Christian group or church, how might these same giftings if improperly expressed could hurt a group? Leadership - Teaching - Spiritual insight - Administering projects Extending mercy to people - Evangelism - Prayer Personal Reflection How do you react when you are told you have a gift or talent that is vitally needed by the group to which you belong? This study is all about the source and significance of spiritual gifts, something we don t tend to spend a lot of time thinking about. Spiritual Gifts Read 1 Cor 12 as you do, make note of words, phrases and themes that are repeated throughout. What pcoatterns and key words and themes do we see? What particular problem may have led to Paul saying what he did in Vs3? What do verses 4-6 reveal about the unity and diversity of spiritual gifts? Paul calls these gifts a manifestation of the holy spirit In what ways does the spirit manifest himself in the church, and why? (7-11) We considered a list of gifts in the group activity at the beginning If we think about the list in Vs8-10, how would experiencing the full range of gifts in these verses change the lift of your group? What things might have the potential to make some members of your church feel useless or envious of other parts of the body? Have you ever felt useless or envious? Why? How does Paul respond to the problem to the problem of feeling dispensable? (Vs14-20) What might make some member of your church feel self-sufficient or superior? (Vs21) According to Paul, how can we make every part of the body feel special? (Vs21-26) What might the list: First, second, third and then in Vs28 indicate to us? How might we help each other (and others in our church) to discover their giftedness? What impact would this have on our church? and in those people s lives? PRAY Pray that spiritual gifts might continue to be cultivated in our lives, and that they might be recognized in our bible study, and in our church more broadly. Pray that all of these giftings God has given to individuals might operate in unity, for the common good. Mitchell Herps 12

13 Be wise about love 1 Corinthians 13 Group Activity Write a definition of love! Compare them amongst the group. Keep in mind your own definitions as your look at Paul s approach to the topic. Personal Reflection Think of a person who has truly loved you. What were the marks of that person s way of relating to you? In this study Paul considers love. Not only does he define it for us, but he shows us why this is the best way to relate to anyone. Especially to members of God s family That s us! The biblical view of love provides a context for gift ministry and all Christian life. Love Read 1 Cor 13 What are your main impressions after reading the chapter as a whole? What is so tragic about using our gifts without love? (1-3) How can we know whether our personal ministry is marked by such lovelessness? How would you define each of love s qualities? (4-7) Which aspect of love do you appreciate most in others? Which aspect do you feel you need to develop the most in? In Vs8-13 Paul summarises the supremacy of love. In contrast to love, why do the gifts have limited value? How and why do you think love is greater than faith or hope? (Vs13) Having considered this, why is love the best solution for the division in the Corinthian church, or in any church for that matter? Re:read the qualities in Vs4-7. How can love lead to healthy interdependence in our relationships rather than unhealthy interdependence or even dependence? Seeing Jesus In presenting this idea of love, we are drawn to ask where we get such love. Christian love is no better presented then by looking at Jesus unconditional, self-sacrificing love that he shows us. Reread Vs4-7 replacing love with Jesus what fresh picture of Jesus care and love for us do you gain through this exercise? Pray That God will infiltrate your life with love in every gift that you express in the body of Christ, reflecting on the following truth: love is not a gift. It lies at the very heart of all gifts Mitchell Herps 13

14 Be wise about spiritual gifts 1 Corinthians 14 To explore the place of inspired speech in the Christian community Group Activity Can you remember a time that something was shared from the congregation during a worship service (or small group) and not necessarily those preaching or leading that truly encouraged you. What was it that encouraged you, and what characterized the words that they spoke? Personal Reflection This chapter is primarily about tongues and prophecy what do you take these things to be? Write a short definition of each. In this study Paul focuses on the excitement of speech within the Christian community. Having established in chapter 13 that love should motivate and shape all the gifts, Paul now turns to a concrete example of love through words. But, just like every gift there can be wrong and right ways to express these gifts. This chapter seeks to explain and regulate the practices of these word gifts. Tongues and prophecy Read 1 Cor 14:1-25 As we read, we can see that the Corinthians place a high value on the gift of tongues. What do Vs1-5 reveal about why Paul prefers prophecy? What illustrations do we see Paul use to show why speaking in tongues will not build up the church? (Vs6-12) What remedy does Paul instead suggest? (Vs13-19) Each of us are probably guilty of worshipping God meaninglessly or mindlessly from time to time, in what ways might this happen? How can Paul s instruction improve the quality of our personal contributions in worship? What do Vs20-25 tell us about the purposes of tongues and prophecy? Why would prophetic speech rather than tongues cause visitors to our worship services or small group to sense God is in our midst? (Vs23-25) Speech or Silence Read 1 Cor 14:26-40 When should people speak in tongues, and when should they remain silent? (27-28) Under what circumstances should those who prophecy speak or remain silent? Why? (29-33) Paul provides some guidelines regarding women in Vs33-35 Summarise his guidelines. Why? How can Paul s statements here be understood in light of his teaching about women routinely praying and prophesying publically in 11:5. Thinking about the style of different worship services some might seem so orderly that it puts you to sleep, others on the other hand might be so free that they seem to be totally out of control. How do we see this chapter promoting both freedom and order in our worship services? Which aspect of worship do you feel a need for and why? Pray Pray for our services and our time together at small group. Pray we might worship God with passion, joy and excitement while still remaining reverent and honouring to God. Mitchell Herps 14

15 Be wise about resurrection 1 Corinthians 15 Group Activity How did your view of life after death change when you came to Christ? What is the greatest fear about death you still have? Personal Reflection When asked to consider life and death how do you normally react? This study will allow us to gain a greater understanding of the reality of the resurrection. Hope in Christ Read 1 Cor 15:1-11 What are the essential elements of the gospel? Can you give a one line definition of what the gospel is? What importance does the resurrection of Christ play in your definitions? Is the significance of Christ s resurrection different in the way that Paul preaches the Gospel? Read 1 Cor 15:12-34 If there was no resurrection, what are the consequences for Christ, for Paul and finally for us today? (12-19) Why is fallen asleep a good way to describe the dead in Christ? (18-20) How will Christ s resurrection overcome the effects of Adam s sin? (21-28) Is there one area of life that you feel you need to experience more victory in Christ? How does believeing or not believing in the resurrection affect a person s lifestyle? How can your lifestyle affect your ability to witness to a world that is so focused upon eating and drinking? Read 1 Cor 15:35-49 What imagery does Paul use to show that the resurrection makes sense and is not stupid? (35-41) Although the resurrection body is somehow related to the natural body, how is it radically different? (42-49) What is it that you are most looking forward to in your heavenly existence with Christ? Read 1 Cor 15:50-58 What is the message in these verses for those who might grow weary of this physical world and long to escape to heaven? What is the most substantial change that 1 Corinthians has brought into the life of our small group? Pray Pray that God might continue to confirm and apply the most vital truths Paul preaches in this letter into the hearts and minds of us, and of our church. Mitchell Herps 15

16 Be wise about stewardship 1 Corinthians 16 Group Activity What spending habits do we have? (Of both time and money) Are they like those of the word around us, or are the markedly different? How so? Personal Reflection How well do you think you are going as a steward of what you have been given by God? This chapter explores our need to be wise stewards of the things entrusted to us. This study will finish with a time of reflection on our journey through 1 Corinthians. The Collection Read 1 Cor 16:1-4 Who are the Lord s people in this case? What might Paul ordinance to the Corinthians look like for us today? We might at times feel like we have worked hard to earn our financial security, how can we remind ourselves that it is God who provides for us and has entrusted us with financial wellbeing? The work of the Lord Read 1 Cor 16:5-24 In 1 Cor 15:58 Paul refers to the work of the lord, what illustrations of this work of the Lord does Paul give in this chapter? What do we think this work of the Lord looks like in todays world? Paul s chapter here shows us the collecting of funds, welcoming and assisting itinerant Christian workers, remaining in a region for a period of quality ministry, submitting to leaders and labourers in the work, sending gifts of funds and friendship to workers in isolated situations and finally we see a spirit of unity and cooperation. What would modern day equivalents of these look like? What do we think we do well at? Where could we improve? Pray Pray that having studied 1 Corinthians this year that we might continue to be grown and shaped by Paul s central Gospel truths and wisdom for much of life. Pray that you as a small group might continue to grow in unity, and that together you might continue to strive one another on in faithfully running the race. Finally, give thanks to God for what he has given us, and ask that he might give us wisdom as to how we are to carry out his gospel work best with the things he has entrusted us with. Mitchell Herps 16