UNIT #4 THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH UNIT DESCRIPTION This fourth unit is taken from the book of 1 Corinthians. "Paul had received information from several sources concerning the conditions existing in the church at Corinth. Some members of the household of Chloe had informed him of the factions that had developed in the church (1:11)... It is clear that, although the church was gifted (see 1:4-7), it was immature and unspiritual (3:1-4)." 1 1 Kenneth Barker, General Editor, NIV Study Bible, Zondervan Bible Publishers, 1985, p. 1732.
UNIT 4#1 THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH K/1 ST GRADE CONCEPT GOAL REAL WISDOM The wisdom of God is the only wisdom that can always be trusted. Christian students will learn that God s wisdom is far superior to the greatest wisdom of the world, and that we grow in God's wisdom when we seek His wisdom through the Bible and other people who are wise. Non-Christian students will learn that we cannot come to know God through our own wisdom, only through belief in Christ. PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5; 3:19 Key verse: " the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God." 1 Corinthians 3:19 PLANNING AHEAD Lesson Supplies Learning Activity #1: Road to Heaven puzzle pieces with verses, 1/room HEAVEN sign, 1/room Learning Activity #2: Wisdom Bag, 1/room Bundle of play money, 1/room Picture of the nativity, 1/room Cross, 1/room Bible, 1/room Learning Activity #3: Collage of pictures with familiar people, 1/small group Craft Supplies Activity Station: Wisdom Wheel printed sheet, 1/child Wisdom sheet with printed verses, 1/child Chinese finger pulls, 3/room Clipboard with lined paper & pencil, 1/room Hat with PRESS sign taped to front, 1/room Paper fastener, 1/child Markers Scissors Teachers please note: For clarity, the shaded areas in the Planning Ahead section indicate supplies that are in and should be returned to your classroom SHARED SUPPLY bag. Items followed by an asterisk* are to be supplied by the teaching team.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION / TEACHER HELPS Wisdom is not a minor theme in the Bible. The antithesis of wisdom is not obscure either foolishness. Definitions are important here. Understand the difference between smart, intelligent, and wise. Smart refers to IQ. It is something that you are born with, and is not a virtue at all. Intelligence refers to education, and is also usually the indirect result of our birth and station in life. Even though it is the result of environment, and does require active work on the part of the individual, it is usually a value that was trained into us at a young age, and is always a matter of opportunity, geography, economics and history. It is very possible to be ignorant and yet smart. It is also unfortunately possible to be educated and yet foolish. Of course, even though intelligence is not a virtue, we would rather be intelligent than ignorant. "Wisdom on the other hand, has nothing to do with birth or circumstance. It is accessible to all, but native to none. Proverbs says that foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child. Foolishness is the natural state of all people. Yet foolishness is neither excusable nor necessary. Proverbs says, The way of a fool is right in his own eyes Proverbs 12:15... He who trusts in his own heart is a fool Proverbs 28:26... The fool has said in his heart, there is not God. Psalms 14:1. 2 Paul says in effect, So you think the gospel is a form of sophia? How foolish can you get? Look at its message; it is based on the story of a crucified Messiah. Who in the name of wisdom would have dreamed that up? Only God is so wise as to be so foolish (1:18-25); Furthermore, look at its recipients. Yourselves! Who in the name of wisdom would have chosen you to be the new people of God? (1:26-31)....what God had always intended and foretold in the prophets, he has now accomplished through the crucifixion: He has brought an end to human self-sufficiency as it is evidenced through human wisdom and devices. No. Paul argues with his Corinthian friends, the gospel is not some new sophia (wisdom, or philosophy), not even a new divine sophia. For sophia allows for human judgments or evaluations of God s activity. But the gospel stands as the divine antithesis to such judgments. No mere human, in his or her right mind or otherwise, would ever have dreamed up God s scheme for redemption through a crucified Messiah. It is too preposterous, too humiliating, for God. It is altogether likely, of course, that Paul s Corinthian opponents would also have sensed the humiliation of that message, and that that is why they had moved on to higher things, far beyond the mere milk that Paul had offered them. But Paul recognizes that to move beyond the cross is not to move on at all, but is to abandon Christ altogether. Hence he here argues that the message of the cross is absolute and fundamental and as such stands over against the merely human wisdom of their present position. 3... In the cross God outsmarted his human creatures and thereby nullified their wisdom. In the same cross God also overpowered his enemies, with lavish grace and forgiveness, and thereby divested them of their strength. Thus played out before human eyes is the scandalous and contradictory wisdom of God. Had God consulted us for wisdom we could have given him a more workable plan, something that would attract the sign-seeker and the lover of wisdom. As it is, in his own wisdom he left us out of the consultation. We are thus left with the awful risk: trust God and be saved by his wise folly, or keep up our pretensions and perish. Better the former, because this weakness of God is stronger than [human] strength, it accomplishes that which all human pretensions cannot do. It brings one into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord (1:9). One can scarcely conceive of a more important more difficult passage for the church today than this one. It is difficult, for the very reason it was in Corinth. We simply cannot abide the scandal of God s doing things his way, without our help. And to do it by means of such weakness and folly! But we have often succeeded in blunting the scandal by symbol, or creed, or propositions. God will not be so easily tamed, and, freed from its shackles, the preaching of the cross alone has 2 Dennis McCallum, James 1:1ff, Dennis McCallum, June 2, 1987. 3 Gordon Fee, The First Epistle to the CORINTHIANS, 1987, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., pp. 66-68.
the power to set people free... Thus forgiven we are set free not only from our sins but to become his new people in the world. It thus achieves what the god of human expectations cannot achieve it creates disciples who will trust in him for life. Such weakness in God is scandalous to those who think of themselves as righteous and thus in no need of forgiveness; but to those who recognize themselves as in need of mercy this is the good news that sets them free to follow him. Thus this weakness is also the ultimate power, and therefore the final wisdom of God. 4 In our culture today knowledge is more highly esteemed than wisdom. We are not encouraged to take time to think about what is right or wrong or reason through what or why we believe. Most people accept without question what they see and hear on the media, from peers or "experts." Often man believes he knows so much that he doesn't need God. But man is limited in his understanding (Is. 55:8). All wisdom comes from God, not us. Only those who know Jesus are able to be wise and grow in true wisdom. As you prepare this lesson, consider your perspective on wisdom and the extent to which you seek the wisdom of God in your daily life. Pray that you will challenge the children to consider and desire the wisdom that only comes from God. Additional reading: Proverbs 3:7; Daniel 2:20-23; Romans 1:21, 22; James 1:5 4 Gordon Fee, The First Epistle to the CORINTHIANS, 1987, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., pp. 77-78.
LESSON PLAN SET UP INCORPORATION 15-20 MIN GOAL: What seems to make sense is not always wise. INSTRUCTION/ INTRODUCTION 5 MIN Instructions: Before class hang "HEAVEN" sign on the white board or bulletin board. Activity Station: Chinese Finger Pull Instructions: Have the children put a finger in each end of the finger pull and try to pull both out. We naturally think that we only need to pull to get them out, but the key is to push in and then take one out at a time. Wisdom Interviews Instructions: Using the clipboard and wearing the "PRESS" hat, interview the children for station WOAS, asking them to tell you what they believe wisdom is. Record their answers with their names so you can report one or two of their answers to the class in the INTRODUCTION. Suggested questions: What do you think it means to be wise or to have wisdom? Do you know anybody who is wise? Why do you think that person is wise? Do you think someone who makes all As in school is wise? How about someone who is smart enough to win a TV quiz show? Are adults always wise? Are kids wise? Craft Wisdom Wheel Instructions: Give each child a paper fastener, a Wisdom Wheel, and a wisdom sheet with printed verses. Cut out the Wisdom Wheel and the wisdom sheet. Line the Wisdom Wheel on top of the wisdom sheet. Poke a hole through the center and push the paper fastener through all layers. Then spread open the paper fastener. Move the Wisdom Wheel to the letter "W" and color the exposed pie shape. Then move the wheel to the letter "I" and color the exposed pie shape with a different color. Continue on until the whole wisdom sheet is colored. Read the wisdom verses to the children and talk about wisdom. Encourage them to take their Wisdom Wheels home so they can talk about the verses with their parents. Missions Prayer Instructions: Talk about and pray for Oasis Giving campaign and adopted missionary child. Mini Drama Instructions: The "reporter" who did the wisdom interviews in the Activity Station will do the INTRODUCTION. Pick one or two of the answers you were given and report that expert, <<child s name>>, stated that wisdom is Good morning/evening, ladies and gentlemen and thank you for joining us for this special edition of WOAS news. I'm reporting today/tonight from the city of Corinth. It seems that a man named Paul was here and started some Christian churches. These churches have had a heck of a time lots of problems, you know. So Paul wrote letters to these people to help them learn more about God and how to follow Him. The issue I am reporting on today is that of wisdom. Now I did some interviews earlier and heard some interesting thoughts about wisdom. I'd like you to hear what some of your friends had to say. (Give a couple of the interview responses here.) LESSON LG GROUP 7-10 MIN I want to thank you for joining me as we have tried to discover just what is this thing called "wisdom." I hope you will learn more about it today/tonight. Until next time, this is your WISE reporter, signing off. Thank you, WISE reporter. Let's continue to find out just what is wisdom. The next few weeks we are going to learn about another church that Paul started. This church was called the Corinthian church because it was in the city of Corinth. After Paul left that church these people had many problems so Paul wrote letters to them. The books of 1 st and 2 nd Corinthians in the Bible are two of those letters. One problem was that these people were really impressed with those who were really smart and
could talk with big words. But Paul wanted them to know that being smart doesn't mean that someone is wise or has wisdom. We are wise when we know and do what is good and right, when we make good choices. Do you know where we can get wisdom? (We can get wisdom from the Bible, God, people who know God and the Bible.) The Bible says that the person who believes God and does what God says is the person who is wise. Paul was a wise man because he knew, believed and did what God said. Paul wanted all the people who followed him to know that the way to become wise is to know and obey God. He always told people that the only way to have a friendship with God and be in His family is to accept Jesus' death on the cross for our sins. He came to earth as a man and died on the cross to take the punishment we deserve for our sins. LEARNING ACTIVITY #1 SM GROUPS 10 MIN LEARNING ACTIVITY #2 LG GROUP 10 MIN The Bible says that there is also another kind of wisdom, the wisdom of this world. Our key verse this week is, " the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God" (1 Corinthians 3:19). The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God because the wisdom of this world is opposite from the wisdom of God. The wisdom of the world says that people can be smart enough and good enough to be forgiven by God. But God says that is foolishness because it is not true. We are wise when we believe Him. When we ask God to forgive us we begin a friendship with Him and He gives us His wisdom that is far greater than the greatest wisdom of the smartest man or woman who ever lived. The wisdom of God tells us how to be friends with Him and how to be part of His family. I have a puzzle for you to put together. When it is all together it tells us how we get to heaven. Large Puzzle The Road to Heaven Instructions: Divide children into 3 groups with a teacher in each. Give each group 4 puzzle pieces. The teacher will read the words on the piece and the children will decide whether or not it is a statement of how we get to heaven therefore, God's wisdom or man's wisdom. Separate the "heaven" pieces from the others. When all the groups are finished, have a representative from each group take their "heaven" pieces to the area where the heaven sign is hanging and those three children will fit the pieces together. GOOD NEWS We have put this road together with pieces of the puzzle that tell us how we get to heaven. The pieces of the road that did not fit show us the world's wisdom. Many people think they can go to heaven if they... (read the pieces that don't fit). But God's wisdom says there is only one way to get to heaven. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." That is God's wisdom. According to Paul there is the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. It is important for us to understand that the only true wisdom comes from God. Remember" the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God" (1 Corinthians 3:19). Let's look at the "Wisdom Bag" I have here and see if we can see the difference between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. WISDOM Let's look quickly at these items and figure out what God's wisdom and the wisdom of the world say about each. God's Wisdom Bible It is God's Word written to us by God. Everything in it is 100% true. The Bible tells us the best way to live. If we live by it we will be changed and full. Wisdom of the World Bible A nice book of stories written many years ago by people. It has good ideas that we can decide to accept or not.
LEARNING ACTIVTIY #3 SM GROUPS 10 MIN OPTIONAL ACTIVITY Jesus God who came to earth as a man - Luke 1:31-33; Colossians 2:9 tell us that Jesus came to earth as a man so He could pay for our sins by His death on the cross. He rose from the dead and is alive with the Father in heaven. Cross The cross is a symbol of God's love and wisdom. Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:23 tell us that everyone sins and God will punish all sin. God is so wise that even before He created man He knew that man would want to be his own boss. When Adam and Eve ate the fruit that God had told them not to eat, they decided to be their own boss. When they made that decision their friendship with God was broken. But God was ready with a plan for them to come back to Him. So His plan also provided a way for them to have a friendship with Him again. Because Adam and Eve made that decision and we are their descendants, we are born separated from God. This cross represents God's love and wisdom because Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for our sin. We only have to tell Him that we want that punishment to count for us. At that moment we begin a friendship with God. Isn't that incredibly wise?! Would you have ever thought of a plan like that? Jesus a good man, a good teacher and one of many ways to get to God. He died a long time ago. Cross In Jesus' day only the worst criminals died on a cross. Therefore, it was totally unbelievable that God would die on a cross. Some people believe that if we are good enough and do good things for others we will earn a place in heaven. In other words, we can do enough good or be good enough to be acceptable to God. Let s get into small groups to talk about how we can know if we believe God s wisdom or the world s wisdom. Instructions: Hold up the photo collage. One by one point to each picture and ask the children if they think that person/character is wise. Then go back to each one and ask the children why they believed that person/character to be wise and allow them to respond. Can we really tell by looking at someone whether that person has God's wisdom or not? We often believe someone is wise because he is smart, famous, rich, or even religious. But that isn't what makes a person wise. How does a person become wise? (Person knows and lives what the Bible says, willing to ask wise people to teach him/her, obeys God.) A person becomes wise by knowing God, asking for His wisdom and obeying Him. When you have a problem, what do you do to find an answer? How do you know if the answer you get is God's wisdom or the wisdom of the world? This week when you have a problem, how will you solve it? Let's pray now. Let's ask God to help us tell those who don't know Jesus about Him and His wisdom. If any of you have not yet asked Jesus to forgive you, you can do that as we pray. Let's also ask God to help us learn to ask Him for His wisdom and to grow in His wisdom. Talk about how the wisdom wheel verses can be used with their friends.