Read 1 Corinthians 16.5-24. What’s the primary implication of this text? What’s the overarching theme? 

What does this text tell you about the nature of God? What does it tell you about the character of God? What does it tell you about the love of God? 

How would you characterize Paul as he writes this final portion of the letter to Corinth? 

The central theme of this passage is found in verse 14. Read the verse and reflect on its importance to you, to your family, to our Faith Family, and to Jesus. 

What’s the most important lesson for the church at Corinth to learn? 

Read 1 Corinthians 16.5-9. Describe what is happening in this text? How does verse 9 particularly encourage you? How do you know when to persevere in the midst of opposition, and how do you when to surrender and submit? How often do you see the two dynamics of “effective ministry” and “opposition to ministry” at play? What is Paul’s response? What is your typical response? 

Paul writes, “For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.” What does this tell you about the nature of his relationship to the people in Corinth? In your own life, who is someone you desire to spend an extended period of time? 

Read 1 Corinthians 16.10-11. Who is Timothy? Why would Timothy be going to Corinth?  What’s Paul’s relationship to Timothy? 

Note Paul’s words to the Corinthians about Timothy, “see to it that he has nothing to fear.” What does that phrase say to you about Timothy? What does it say to you about Paul? What does it say to you about the nature of the relationship? 

Read Paul’s words to Timothy as recorded in 2 Timothy 1.7, and 1 John 4.18. How is this truth livable reality for you? Where and how does this passage challenge you? Is it possible to love without fear? If so, how so? How has fear caused pain in love? 

Read the Creation Narrative in Genesis 3. Where does fear originate? How does fear paralyze or motivate? How is God redeeming all fear? 

Read 1 John 4.8. How does knowing “God is love” bring you to a place of deeper trust? Note any places where there is a fear to trust. 

Read 1 Corinthians 16.12. Who is Apollos? What is his relationship to the church at Corinth? Why would he choose not to go back to Corinth? How does Paul lead Apollos and love Apollos here? What does Paul’s example teach you about how to “do everything in love”?

Read 1 Corinthians 16.15-18. Who are the men noted here? What’s their importance to Paul and to the church at Corinth? 

What does Paul say about their arrival, about their presence? Who in your life has most recently, “refreshed your spirit”? 

Read 1 Corinthians 16.19-20. Paul notes Priscilla and Aquila. What do you know about this married couple and their commitment to ministry? 

Four points from this text to consider: 

• Do everything in love. Regardless of opposition.
• Do everything in love. Regardless of your fear.
• Do everything in love. Your love refreshes souls.
• Do everything in love. Your love changes lives. 

How might this Thanksgiving season look different, feel different, sound different if we did what the Bible teaches, “Do everything in love”?

Read 1 Corinthians 16.1-4. How do these first encourage you? How do they challenge you? What are the primary implications of these verses?

What do these verses say about the nature of God?

What do these verses say about the love of God?

Read 1 Corinthians 16.2. What are the five essential features of stewardship noted in this verse?

What is your current practice in tithing?

How does this text seem to call for an offering that is over and above the tithe?

Read 1 Corinthians 16.3-4. Where and to whom is the money from the Corinthian church ultimately going to go?

How do you see giving financially as a way to partner with God in His ministry in the neighborhood and the nations?

Read 2 Corinthians 8.1-9. What is God’s purpose in inviting you to give financially? How have you experienced God through giving financially? How has God used giving in your transformation process?

Read 2 Corinthians 9.12-15. How do you see giving as an “expression of thanks” to God? How do you see giving as an act of your obedience as a Christ follower? How does God see giving as more than a financial transaction?

How is God inviting you to trust Him more deeply not just financially, but with all of your life?

Spend a few moments praying a few of the prayers in Scripture. Pray them for yourself, your neighbors, our nation and the nations. 

• Psalm 51
• Psalm 86
• Ephesians 3.16-21
• John 17
• Ephesians 1.14-23
• Matthew 6.9-13

How are you encouraged by praying the prayers of Scripture? 

Read 1 Corinthians 15.14-58. What’s the primary implication of this text? Where do you sense your heart agreeing? What do you find confusing or need further clarity? Take time to pray through your insights and questions. 

In your own words, describe the spiritual dynamics that occurred on the cross.

What does the resurrection mean to you? 

What would our world be like if Jesus was not raised from the dead?

Because of His resurrection, what has Christ begun and what has Christ finished? 

Scripture says, “The same power that raised Jesus from the dead, now lives in you.” And “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” What do these truths actually mean in your everyday ordinary life? 

Describe that power. How do you experience the resurrection power at work in you and through you? 

Where and how do you see an evil presence in our world today? How do you see God at work mediating and redeeming that evil power in the world? How does God’s Sovereignty accomplish His ultimate will on earth? 

Read Hosea 1-3. Where do you find yourself in this story? How does this story point to God’s love for you, and for our world? Mediate on the lengths God will go to rescue His beloved. 

Read Romans 2.4. How have you experienced His kindness leading you to repentance? 

Read 1 Corinthians 15.55-57. What is the victory we receive through Christ? When does it come? When will it come? What does the victory ultimately accomplish? 

If you were to share the current chapter of your story on video, what would you say? What would you want to say? How do you sense God at work in your story right here, right now – just as you are, right where you are?

Spend a few moments giving God praise for His victory through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Read Isaiah 61:1-3 and Luke 4:14-21 – When you think about this year, where can you see the Lord’s favor amidst all the chaos and challenges?

Read Colossians 1:17-20 – What stands out to you about Jesus in this passage?  Is there a part of this passage that you struggle to grasp or fully believe in?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-3 – When you think about the Gospel what do you think of? How do you “take your stand” in it?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 – When you think about the resurrection of Jesus, how do you think about how it impacts you today?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:9 – Have you ever felt unworthy, undeserving, or disqualified from God’s love and forgiveness? Or the love and forgiveness of others? Or even from forgiving yourself?  

How did you come to a place of healing there?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:10 – Is it easy/difficult for you to say, “By the grace of God, I am what I am”, and being ok right where you are in your journey with God?

Have you ever been Baptized? If so, how did you come to that decision? 

How would you describe your resurrection story?

Read 1 Corinthians 14. What’s the primary implication of this text. 

What is your primary purpose in reading the Bible? 

A few questions were included in the message on Sunday when reading Scripture. Reflect on 1 Corinthians 14 and answer the following questions:

1. What does this text tell me about the character of God?
2. What does this tell me about the nature of God?
3. What does this tell me about the love of God?

Read and reflect on the comments of Phillip Yancey and then answer the questions that follow.

In my lifelong study of the Bible, I have looked for an overarching theme, a summary statement of what the whole sprawling book is about. I have settled on this: “God gets his family back.” From the first book to the last the Bible tells of the tortuous lengths to which God will go to reclaim wayward children. Many of Jesus’ stories center on the theme of lostness, captured most beautifully in the story of the prodigal son: “this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” In Revelation, the entire biblical drama ends with a huge family reunion. The lost will be found. – Phillip Yancey

What does this quote tell me about the character of God?

What does this tell me about the nature of God?

What does this tell me about the love of God?

Read 1 Corinthians 14.33 and answer the questions that follow. 

1. What does this verse tell me about God?
2. What does it tell me about the character of God?
3. What does it tell us about the love of God? 

Read John 14.27 and answer the questions that follow.

1. What does that say to you about the nature of God?
2. What does it say to you about the love of God? 

In your own words, describe how the worship of the Corinthian Church glorified God. How does the worship at Sanctuary glorify Him? How does your worship bring Him glory? 

What is the primary purpose of Paul writing this letter to the church at Corinth? 

Paul is writing in a spirit of correction and redirection. What’s the primary problem Paul is trying to address? 

The church is missing the mark and in this portion of Scripture Paul is addressing how the Sunday gatherings should honor God and allow the gifts of the church to flourish. Note specific verses where you see Paul writing to correct the church. 

In reading the text, note all the verses in which we at Sanctuary worship in the same manner as the church at Corinth. 

Read 1 Corinthians 14.34-35. In the context of the entire passage, what is this verse saying? How does this text match up with Paul’s instruction in 1 Corinthians 11.2-5, 13-15? 

How do you see the giftedness of women functioning in the life of our Faith Family? 

Read Acts 18 note the specific journey of Priscilla and Aquila. How vital were this couple in their partnership with Paul? 

How do you see Priscilla and Aquila carrying out the Great Commission? 

Take a quick survey of women in ministry in the local church. Read the following passages and answer the questions that follow each text.

• Acts 21.8-9 What does it mean to “prophesy”? 
• Romans 16.1 What is the definition of “deacon”? 
• Romans 16.2-5 What does the phrase, “co-worker” describe? 
• Romans 16.6-8 What does “outstanding among the apostles” mean? 
• 1 Corinthians 12.28 Where do “apostles” stand in terms of using their gifts? 
• Romans 16.9-16 What does this passage say about God? What does it say about the nature of God? What does it say about the love of God? 
• Philippians 4.2-3 Paul again references women as “co-workers.” He also stresses unity. How can you work toward unity in the midst of different perspectives, beliefs, and behaviors?
• Galatians 3.28 When and where have you seen this passage fully lived out? 

Read Acts 16.11-15. How does God use this little group to begin a new church? 

Read Philippians 4.4-9 and rest in His love for you. Rest in His peace. “And may the God of peace be with you.” 

What comes to mind when you hear 1 Corinthians 13?

What do you especially appreciate about 1 Corinthians 13 today?

In verses 1-3 Paul describes the necessity of love. Have you ever experienced the “nothingness” of life without love?

In verses 4-7 we read the poetic description of love. How does your understanding of these verses change when you read them in the context of the issues facing the church in Corinth?

Paul describes the actions of love with “love” being the subject of 16 verbs in a row. How does it challenge you today to see these verses as more than just poetry, but a call to action?

How do you sense God desiring to love others through your actions today?

A measure of love is its “capacity for tension and disagreement without division.” Would people in your life say that this is true of you?

Verse 8-13 point to the preeminence of love and how it will last forever. How have you seen love make an eternal impact in your life?

What is something that you see “dimly” today that you look forward to fully understanding in eternity?

Read Ephesians 3:14-19 and reflect on how you have grown in your understanding of God’s love for you. Ask God to continue to grow your understanding of his love for you!

Read 1 Corinthians 12.12-26. What’s the primary implication of this text? What speaks most personally to you in this text? 

What’s God’s primary purpose for community? How does this primary purpose motivate you to move past that which is good, for that which is best? 

The purpose statement for Sanctuary is, “To be transformed by the Gospel to live and love like Jesus.” How is God currently using community in your transformation? 

In your own words, define Biblical unity.

What’s the difference between Biblical unity and the unity of the world? What’s the difference between Biblical unity and uniformity? How are you experience unity through diversity? 

Using the human body, Paul illustrates our need for one another. How do you see yourself fitting in the Body of Christ? 

Review the text. How does Paul lift up the weak? 

How does Paul lift up the poor, and those who may sense a lack of dignity and worth? 

Isaiah 61 has long been the call of Sanctuary. Read the text and find the connection points between it and 1 Corinthians 12. 

Read Mark 14.3-9. How does Jesus minister to those who are weak, sick, the poor, and those who may sense a lack of worth and value? How does His example challenge you? How does His example motivate you? 

Read and reflect on the following statement: “We don’t go to the poor to make a difference. We go to the poor to make us different.” How have you experienced this statement as truth in your life? How has the poor made you different? 

Read 1 Corinthians 12.25-26. There are members of our Body who are suffering. How might you move toward those who are suffering? How might you allow others to move toward you when you suffer or mourn? 

Four questions were asked as part of the message on Sunday. Answer each. 

With whom are you suffering?

With whom are you rejoicing? 

Who rejoices with you?

Who suffers with you? 

Why is communion so important for the Body of Christ? How important is communion to you? What’s the primary purpose for you in receiving communion?

Jesus said, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” What’s one step you can take toward someone different than you? How might you express His love to another today? 

Read 1 Peter 2.4-9. What’s the primary implication of this text? 

Notice the phrases in the text that are quoted from the Old Testament. How does it encourage you to know Peter would have referenced the Old Testament as he writes to the churches in Asia Minor? 

What’s the ongoing nature of this text? What’s one example of God’s ongoing work in building you into a spiritual house?

How were the people of Israel a royal priesthood? In what ways did they serve faithfully? How and when did they compromise their calling? 

Read and reflect on the summary of verse 9:
I am chosen. I am a royal priest. I am His treasured possession. Brought from darkness to light to declare His praises. 

How does this truth remind you of your identity? Where does this truth challenge you? Do you see yourself this way, the way God sees you? 

Read 1 Corinthians 12.1-11, 28-30. What is Paul’s primary purpose for writing this text? 

In your own words, define spiritual gifts and the purpose of spiritual gifts. 

Read Romans 12.3-8; Ephesians 4.11-12; 1 Peter 4.9-11. As you read these lists of gifts, how do you see them building up the local church? What’s the priority and purpose of gifts as noted in these texts? 

Read and reflect on the quote from Ked Hemphill:
“A spiritual gift is an individual manifestation of grace from the Father that enables you to serve Him and thus play a vital role in His plan for the redemption of the world.” 

What do you believe is your spiritual gift? How has your gift been affirmed communally? How are you stewarding the gift God has given you? 

Why do some Christians believe the gifts do not operate in the local church any longer? How do you see the gifts at work in our local church? 

Karl Barth noted people come to church with one question on their minds, “Is it true?” What question continues to come to mind as you come to church? How have you experienced the truth of each of the following: 

Is it true?

The love of God,

the saving power of Jesus Christ,

the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit,

the resurrection from the dead,

the forgiveness of sins….

Is it true?

Read John 3.16-17. How does this passage speak to you today? What in the text encourages you? What inspires you? 

How important is the local church in the day and time of Paul? How did the local church in Corinth impact the world around it? How important is the local church in our day? How important is our church to you? 

Describe how the local church in Corinth was distinct from any other place in all of Rome? 

Read Galatians 3.26. In your own words, define being “one in Christ.” How is this truth being lived out in your life today? Where is one area of growth for you as it relates to this truth? 

Read Revelation 7.9-10. How does this picture of heaven impact your life on earth? How does this picture of heaven impact your life in the local church? 

Read and reflect on the quote by Dallas Willard: “The aim of God in history is the creation of an all-inclusive community of loving persons, with Himself included in that community as its prime sustainer and most glorious inhabitant.”

Read 1 Corinthians 11.2-16. What spaces to you most personally in the text? 

What’s the purpose for Paul writing this portion of the text? How does this impact us at Sanctuary? Why is order in the gathering important to Paul?

Read verse 3 and then answer the following questions: What are ‘these important traditions’ that Paul notes? What are they not? How do we often confuse our religious traditions from what Paul is describing here? 

Read verses 4-5. What does the Bible mean when it describes, “prophesying?” What’s the cultural implication of these verses? What is important for us to hold onto today? 

How do you view the role of women in the local church? What do you believe is biblical about what a woman can or can’t do in the local church? 

Read verse 6 and then verse 13-16. What is the cultural context of this verse? What does this mean for us today?

Read verses 7-12. After reading this text, how important is “authority?” 

Read Ephesians 5.21. In your own words, define “mutual submission.” 

Read Galatians 5.6. How does Paul truth call you to act in mutual submission? What does love look like in submission? 

Spend some time praying for God’s wisdom to continue to be given to you and to our church leaders. Pray for unity and mutual submission for our church. 

Read 1 Corinthians 10.23-33. What’s the primary implication of this text for you today? 

1 Corinthians 10.31 is the heartbeat of this section. What’s the purpose of this statement to the Corinthian Church? What’s the primary implication of this statement for our Faith Family, and for you and your family? 

Note an example of someone you know who fully lives out the truth of verse 31. How does their example encourage you? How does it challenge you? 

The Corinthian Christians were mostly interested in “knowledge and rights.” Paul wants them to express their faith through “love and freedom.” What’s the difference between these two ideals? 

In what aspects of your daily life do you sense a bend toward “knowledge and rights?” How are you growing in your daily expressions of “love and freedom?”

In your own words. define self-righteousness. 

Read and reflect on the words of Richard Foster, “Self-righteous service comes through human effort. It expends immense amounts of energy calculating and scheming how to render the service…True service comes from a relationship with the divine Other deep inside. We serve out of whispered promptings, divine urgings.” 

How are you growing to recognize your own temptation toward self-righteousness? How are you being freed from this burden?

There are times when we as Christians may be unsure what action or belief or relationship is best. Below are five questions and five corresponding Scriptural truths to help us know how best to live in freedom and love

1. Will this lead to freedom or slavery?

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. – 1 Corinthians 6.12

2. Will this make me a stumbling block or a stepping stone?

Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall. – 1 Corinthians 8.13

3. Will this build me up or tear me down?

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. – 1 Corinthians 10.23

4. Will this only please me or will it cause others to glorify Christ?

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10.31

5. Will this help to win the lost to Christ or turn them away?

Even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. – 1 Corinthians 10.33

How could these questions and Scriptural truths help guide the way you act privately and publicly? 

In your own words, define the “glory of God.” 

Read Psalm 19.1; 29.1-2 and Habakkuk 2.14. How do you see the “glory of God” in creation? 

Read and reflect on John Piper’s description of the glory of God: “The public display of the infinite beauty and worth of God…I believe the glory of God is the going public of his infinite worth. I define the holiness of God as the infinite value of God, the infinite intrinsic worth of God. And when that goes public in creation, the heavens are telling the glory of God, and human beings are manifesting his glory, because we’re created in his image, and we’re trusting his promises so that we make him look gloriously trustworthy.” 

How does this definition encourage you as you consider verse 1 Corinthians 10.31? 

What was the relationship between the Israelites and the glory of God? 

Read John 1.1-14. Jesus is His glory. Jesus is the public display of infinite beauty. How do you see the glory of God in Jesus? 

Read John 17.20-22. What is Jesus actually praying for here? 

Read and reflect on the words of C.S. Lewis. “It may be asked what practical use there is in the speculations which I have been indulging. I can think of at least one such use. It may be possible for each to think too much of his own potential glory hereafter; it is hardly possible for him to think too often or too deeply about that of his neighbor. The load, or weight, or burden of my neighbor’s glory should be laid daily on my back, a load so heavy that only humility can carry it, and the backs of the proud will be broken.” –  C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

Read 2 Corinthians 3.18. How are you sensing God at work in you transforming you into His image “with ever-increasing glory”?  

Spend a few moments asking God to continue to reveal His glory to you, in you, and through you.