1 Corinthians
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How to let the gospel shape your life

There are three easy questions we could ask when reading scripture:
1. What does this say about God?
2. What does this say about humanity?
3. What does this say about what God wants for me, or from me?

Each week re-read the scripture from the Sunday service and see if you can answer these three questions. Note that not every section of scripture will speak to all of these three questions. 

1 Corinthians 1 

If you missed the sermon you can listen to it here.
  • Read 1 Corinthians 1 and answer the three questions about God, humanity, and action steps.
  • What does Paul have to say about division?
  • Why is it important to know what to divide over and what not to divide over?
  • What does Paul identify as "The Power of God"?

1 Corinthians 2

  • Read 1 Corinthians 2 and answer the three questions about God, humanity, and action steps.
  • What does the scripture say about the world's wisdom?
  • What does the scripture say about God's wisdom?
  • Can you think of an example where you did something in the world's wisdom and a time when you did something according to God's?

1 Corinthians 3

  • Read 1 Corinthians 3 and answer the three questions about God, humanity, and action steps.
  • Why is Paul rebuking the Corinthians?
  • What is Paul warning Christians against? 
  • What does it mean to destroy God's temple?
  • What does it mean to be a "fool" for Christ?

1 Corinthians 4

  • Read 1 Corinthians 4 and answer the three questions about God, humanity, and action steps.
  • How should we understand Paul's instructions about judgement? If you need some extra information, read this. 
  • What does Paul mean by "my conscience is clear but that does not mean I am innocent."
  • Considering what Paul said above, as well as Jeremiah 17:9, what are the dangers we promote when we say, "you should follow your heart?"
  • What is Paul explaining through the use of the father and child metaphor in verses 14-18 and how should you respond to that today?

1 Corinthians 5

  • Read 1 Corinthians 5 and answer the three questions about God, humanity, and action steps.
  • Read Matthew 18:15-17 and consider if you have seen church discipline modeled well before. How should we as believers respond to sin in the church?
  • How can we strike the balance between not being negatively influenced by sin (5:6-8) and still engaging with the world (5:9-10)?

1 Corinthians 6:1-11

  • Read 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 and answer the three questions about God, humanity, and action steps.
  • How should one go about resolving a dispute with another believer? (Remember Matt 18)
  • What kind of things should we not overlook or leave hidden in the church? (Hint from the sermon: Confidentiality does not extend to criminality).
  • In what ways does laying down our rights model Jesus? 

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

  • Read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 and answer the three questions about God, humanity, and action steps.
  • What are we set free to do?
  • In which ways does sexual immorality distort the nature of God?
  • What does it look like practically to "flee sexual immorality".

1 Corinthians 7:1-16

  • Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-16 and answer the three questions about God, humanity, and action steps.
  • Which two gifts from God does Paul mention?
  • How might each of these gifts be used to form you into the image of Christ?
  • What does Paul mean when he says "I, not the Lord"? (it may be helpful to reflect on 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 3:15-16). 

1 Corinthians 7:17-40

  • Read 1 Corinthians 7:17-40 and answer the three questions about God, humanity, and action steps.
  • Which principle does Paul identify in vs 17-24? How does that look practically in your life?
  • What is the important qualifier for the wisdom Paul offers in vs 25-40?
  • If you have time, reflect on this article from the Gospel Coalition.
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1 Corinthians 8

  • Read 1 Corinthians 8 and answer the three questions about God, humanity, and action steps.
  • Which principle is being identified in this passage?
  • How would you work this principle in your context?
  • Reflect on how applying this principle reflects Philippians 2:1-8

1 Corinthians 9

  • Read 1 Corinthians 9 and answer the three questions about God, humanity, and action steps.
  • Which principle is being identified in this passage?
  • Can you think of an example where you have, or should have, laid down your rights for someone else?
  • How does Paul's illustration about strict training and discipline (v24-27) work itself out in your faith walk?

1 Corinthians 10 - 11:1

  • Read 1 Corinthians 10 and answer the three questions about God, humanity, and action steps.
  • How do the Old Testament events that Paul mentions act as a warning to Christians today?
  • Which things might we falsely rely on to tell us we are "good people" or Christians?
  • What should determine how we love others? 

1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Want to engage more on the question of head coverings? See here: Mike Winger video on head coverings
  • Read 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 and answer the three questions about God, humanity, and action steps.
  • What is the central principle in this passage?
  • In what ways could you communicate an honouring of authority in your context?