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”?
