Sanctuary

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.”