1Corinthians Chapter 5

1Corinthians 5

v1-5:

• It is easy to become lax about holding each other accountable. What do you do…what more can you do, to hold yourself accountable to God’s holiness?
• Do you have others (small groups or close friends) that you use or can use as partners in accountability?

V6-8:

Yeast represents sin. The Passover included a ritual housecleaning to get rid of the least speck of yeast. Paul is reminding us that we have work to do in order to be holy to God.

• What are some bad habits, bad attitudes, sneaky specks of personal yeast that you need to clean out? What can you do to address them as opposed to just sweeping them under the rug?
• Where and with whom can we become more transparent, more honest, more truthful?

V9-13:

• Are there times when you find yourself with those who influence you in undesirable talk/pastimes/behaviors? Do you get caught up in “their stuff” or are you able to maintain your sense of your standing with Christ even while you sit with those who have no interest in Him?

• Are you able to be clear about your convictions even among those who may profess to be your brother in Christ but who openly flaunt sinfulness? (Note: This is a very fine line for Christians as we avoid being judgmental but maintain clarity about our convictions)

1Corinthians (Chpt 3,4)

1Corinthians 3

v1-4
Paul admonishes the church that they are not ready for advanced spiritual understanding because they are still subject to petty quarrels and jealousy. None of us are perfect but all are growing in our faith.

• What are some ways over the last week that you showed “immaturity” – less godliness than you would like?
• What can you do in the coming week to help your mind be more grounded in Christ?

v5-9

• Ever find that you’re comparing yourself to others, wishing you’d accomplished as much as they or thinking you’ve done so much more than they?

v10-15

• What is the “foundation …laid by Christ Jesus?”
  
• What are ways that we build on that foundation?
  
• What are things we do that do not build on that foundation?
  

[hint: Paul suggests the test is anything that wouldn’t survive in a fire…when you’re running for your life. He is referring to the Judgment – what will survive when we’re resurrected]

v16-17:

• What does it mean to you that your body is the sanctuary of God (His dwelling, His place of worship)?

v18-23:

• Are there times when you mentally congratulate yourself for how smart you are?
  
• Or when you find yourself in awe of someone else and their wisdom?
  

Paul wants us always to remember that there is only one source of true wisdom and all other “smarts” either have Him as source or are not worth much in comparison.


1Corinthians 4

v1-5:

• We often consider how we trust in God, but in what ways is He putting His trust in us (what investments does He make in us)?
  
• How do we demonstrate that we are faithful to be trusted with these investments?
• And what are we to do when we find ourselves or others judging how we live our lives? [hint: Who is our only Judge?]
  

v6-8:

• How has God blessed you since He came into your life?
  
• Are there ways in which that sets you apart from others (e.g., perhaps in some way “apart” from family or from friends you knew before you knew Jesus)?
  
• How do you remind yourself of His blessings and how He has brought wisdom into your life?

v14-21:

• How can we honor those who’ve come before us and who serve under hardship and persecution now?
  
• How do we gain from the model of their lives?
  
• How do we demonstrate in our lives (“power” and not just words) that the Kingdom of God is important to us?

1 Corinthians (1,2)

1 Corinthians 1

V1-9:
Think of those who you work with, or others that you depend on

• Are you thankful for the gifts God has given them?
  
• Take some time to list/pray for their gifts. Encourage them next chance you get. (That’s what Paul is doing here)

V10-17

• What/Who is your spiritual authority?
  
• When you read or hear commentary on religious beliefs or the meaning of scripture, how do you validate it for yourself? …for its relevance to your relationship with Christ?

V18-25
We’re surrounded by the wondrous inventions of mankind, by highly-educated, highly-intelligent, high achievers who may be able to talk circles around us regarding scientific discoveries or technical knowledge. There are times when you may feel like you need to compete intellectually or when you may feel inferior somehow. Here Paul refers to those whose opinion of themselves and their “wisdom” may mean they scoff at the power of God or the value of the cross.

• How does God’s power make foolishness of that kind of thinking?
  
• How does Christ’s death have an impact that overshadows any human “wisdom”?

Think of these answers in terms of your own experiences (remember that no one can argue against an experience).

V26-31
Think of how you were before your commitment to Christ and how you have changed.

• What are some things that as you now look back on them seem foolish, but were important to you then?
  
• What are some things that now are important that you then thought were foolish or boring or a waste of time?

1 Corinthians 2

V1-5:

• How has God used you in ways that you didn’t expect? He doesn’t use us because we’re so much smarter than He is, but He uses our humility and submission and draws out talents that we might not even have realized beforehand.
• Has he ever asked you to do something that you thought was beyond you, but you accepted on faith? Think of times when you’ve served in ways that in your former life you never would have considered. Whether you know it or not, those can be times when you demonstrate the Spirit’s power and bless those around you thereby.

V6-9

• Do you find that there are some with whom you can speak openly about Christ’s Kingdom and some who just cannot understand it (no matter how “intelligent” or educated they may be)?
  
• What are some different approaches to finding out whether someone would be interested in hearing more (or “able” to hear it)?

V10-16

• How is it then that you were able to hear the good news and then commit your life to Christ?
  
• What are some ways that you know the Holy Spirit dwells in you, helping you understand the thoughts of God, teaching you things that you did not comprehend or even imagine when you were “without the Spirit” (i.e., before you committed)?