1 Corinthians

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?