1 Corinthians

You can find the card referred to in this Sunday’s message HERE.

Read 1 Corinthians 9.24-27. What’s the primary implication of this text? 

What’s the prize in this race? How is that prize available in the here and now? 

As Paul writes the text, he looks at the present through the lens of the future. Many times we look at the present through the lens of the past. Describe a time when you looked at the present through the lens of the future and describe a time when you looked at the present through the lens of the past. Which brought you life? How might you grow in learning how to view the present through the lens of the future? What would it require you to release, or let go? How would you need to “train” in order to run with freedom?

Do a study of Scripture of the promise of believers receiving “crowns.” What kind of crowns do we receive? How does this study awaken you to a broader and more beautiful picture of life in Christ and eternal life in Christ? 

Read Isaiah 35.10. Allow the prophecy to rest on you, and in you – to fully “overtake you.” 

Read 2 Timothy 4.8. What is “the crown of righteousness” Paul talks about here? When and how do we receive this kind of crown? 

Read, reflect and respond to the following quote from Dallas Willard. 

If we are to be transformed, the body must be transformed, and that is not accomplished by talking at it. The training that leads to doing what we hear from Jesus must therefore involve, first, the purposeful disruption of our “automatic” thoughts, feelings, and actions by doing different things with our body. And then, through various intentional practices, we place the body before God in such a way that our whole self is retrained away from the old kingdoms around us and within us and into “the kingdom of the Son of His love.” (Colossians 1:13)

Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy.

What is an “automatic” response in your life that needs to be retrained? What might happen in you and to those around you should that automatic response not change?

If you could summarize your “training” what would you say? If you could summarize how your training is a part of your transformation what would you say? 

Read 1 Timothy 4.8, and 6.12. How do these verses encourage you to press into the spiritual call to bring your whole self before our Good God? 

Read, reflect and respond to the following quote from Dallas Willard. 

“You must arrange your days so that you are experiencing total contentment, joy, and confidence in your everyday life with God — that and that alone is what makes a soul healthy.” – Dallas Willard

• What would one day look like for you, if you “arranged your days” in this way? 
• What would have to change in order for you to arrange your day in this way? 
• What is the reward of this kind of living and loving?

Read Hebrews 12.1-3. How does this verse encourage you? How do you sense the “great cloud of witnesses” cheer you on? If there was one area in your life where you sense a need today to be encouraged, what would it be? Who could join you here?

Of the seven vows listed below, which is the one you celebrate the deepest? Which challenges you most deeply? 

I yield myself fully to you.

I embrace your calling on my life.

I will do your bidding without delay.

I will refuse you nothing.

I will endure all hardships.

When I don’t feel your presence, I will still be faithful. 

I will seek to love you as you have never been loved before.

As you close this study, spend some moments meditating on the Lord’s prayer. 

Read 1 Corinthians 9.19-23, 10.31-33; 11.1. As you reflect on the text, what speaks most directly to you today?

What in the text causes you confusion? What excites you? How does this text challenge you?

What was Paul’s primary purpose in writing this portion of the letter?

In the past few weeks, how have you sensed the call to subject your freedom for the sake of others? How have you carried out that call? What’s been the outcome?

Read Mark 10.43-45. Give a few examples of how Jesus lived out this teaching. How do you see Paul echoing the words of Jesus? How is Paul living out the teaching of Jesus?

What’s the potential misinterpretation of “Becoming all things to all people” (22)?

Examine the sermons of Paul in the book of Acts. How do you see Paul speak differently to Jews and Gentiles?

Cite a few examples where Jesus shared the Good News in different ways when speaking to different kinds of people.

Paul says his goal is to “save some.” What is Paul referring to with this statement?

Paul uses the metaphor of “winning” in the text. What is the ultimate goal for Paul?

In the text, how do you see Paul taking initiative?

As you think about your week, how and where have you begun to take initiative? Where in your life might passivity still have a stronghold?

Paul is imitating Jesus. How and where is Jesus calling you to imitate Him? Who is imitating you? Who have you invited to imitate you?

Read Romans 13.8-10 & Galatians 5.13-14. Note the congruence of these two passages. How do they support the message of 1 Corinthians? How is love ruling and reigning in your everyday, ordinary conversations at home, at the ball field, and in the marketplace?

Give God praise for His prevailing love.

Read 1 Corinthians 9.1-8 incarnationally. As you reflect on the passage, note what you believe is the primary implication of the text. 

Read 1 Corinthians 8. Note the similarities between the two passages. Note any differences. 

How do you see this text much more than a discourse on money? What’s it’s primary focus?

What was the primary issue of the Corinthians with Paul and the financial support of this ministry? 

What are the “rights” Paul describes in the text? How do you see Paul giving up his rights? 

How do you see Paul giving up his own rights so he might stand up for the rights of others? 

How might self-righteousness become a very real temptation for you in this space? 

Read Matthew 10.9-10 and Luke 10.7. What does Jesus say about preaching and money? 

Read 1 Corinthians 9.12. This verse is the anchor of this section of the text. How so? 

Reflect on this phrase, “We put up with anything rather than hinder the Gospel of Christ.”

Respond to the following:

• What is Paul putting up with here?
• How might this issue be a hindrance to the preaching of the Gospel? 
• What are you “putting up” in order for the Gospel to be peached? 

Read Ephesians 4.1-6. How does this passage encourage you as it relates to our Faith Family? Where do you sense the need for patience individually and corporately? 

Read and reflect on the quote from J.D. Walt.

“As the apostle rests his case, he shows us what real maturity in Christ looks like. It’s not about me. It’s about Jesus, and because it’s all about Jesus, it’s all about you. Right here we see the love of God and neighbor in perfect harmony, and he’s able to do it without gritting his teeth or grinning and bearing it because he knows that he knows that he knows in his deepest innermost self how high and how long and how deep and how wide is the love of Christ Jesus for him, and this love constrains and compels him to not just talk about it to others but to demonstrate it. This is the mind of Christ operative in Paul—as Thomas a Kempis would put it, “the royal way of the holy Cross.”

In summary, answer the following questions. 

• What’s the primary implication of this study for you?
• What right might God be asking you to give up?
• What are you allowing to hinder you in fully receiving the Gospel of Christ?    

1) Think of a person who has had a great impact on your life. Was their impact because of their knowledge or their love? Explain.

2) Read 1 Corinthians 8:1-3.  Why does Paul open his argument by contrasting knowledge with love?

3) In your life, do you tend to use knowledge as a weapon to defend your rights or as a tool to build up others?

4) Knowledge leads to us to pride or humility.  How have you seen this to be true?

5) What is something you have come to know about God that has resulted in love for others?

6) Reflect on Ephesians 3:14-21. Praise God for the depth of his love for you and ask for him to deepen your knowledge of this great love.