Notes: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 (for 10/9 and 10/16 small group)

Discussion

1. Can you think of any examples where people or churches do or should work together with people/churches they disagree with? Are there any limitations to this? Any examples where that is not advisable?


2. Why are cliques and divisions and disagreements in the church so damaging? How big an issue has this been in your church? How has this affected you personally?


3. Do you have any biases for or against styles, methods, preferences, or other churches that are taking a higher priority than they should?
4. If ministries, events, or expectations in church don't work out the way you hoped, how do you handle that? What determines whether you will stick it out, or throw in the towel?
5. What keeps you going?


6. Do you ever put any of your own preferences or expectations above the mission God is calling you to, or the gospel itself?


7. What were the people really saying in v 12?


8. How does church disunity affect unbelievers outside the church? (John 17:20-23)


9. Can you think of any specific practices a church might use to help maintain unity within the church? … between churches?


10. Have you ever held a spiritual leader in such high regard that you, perhaps subconsciously, put more faith in them, than in Christ?


11. In reading verse 17, what advice would Paul have for today’s pastors?
    

Bibliography

1. Barton & others, "Life Application Bible Commentary: 1&2 Corinthians"


2. MacArthur, "1 Corinthians: Godly Solutions for Church Problems"


3. "Serendipity Study Bible for Groups"


4. Tyler Jones, Vintage21, Sermon on same topic


5. Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church, Sermon on same topic

Notes: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

1. Why did Paul emphasize that he was an apostle (v1) ?
   Because he was about to give them some strong correction and wanted them to know his authority.
   
2. What did Paul mean when he called the believers “saints” as the ESV and NKJV says in v2: “ 2To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those(C) sanctified in Christ Jesus,(D) called to be saints together with all those who in every place(E) call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: “
   · Saint – not special self-sacrificing Christian selected by a church process
   · Greek for “saint” – hagios, meaning “set apart one” or “holy one”
   · All believers have been sanctified in Christ and are “saints” by calling. The Corinthian believers were holy in God’s sight, regardless of their sinful living.
   · Saints - because they had been sanctified (hagiazo), made holy in Christ Jesus. Saint ~ sanctified
   
3. Based on what you know about Corinth, what do people in the Triangle (or our church) have in common w/ the Corinthians?
   · Wealth? Immorality? Divisions?
   
4. What are some of the spiritual gifts inferred in v7? Which one(s) do you believe you have?
   · Romans 12: giving, leadership, mercy, prophecy, service, teaching
   · 1 Corinthians 12: administration, apostle, discernment, faith, healing, helps, knowledge, prophecy, teaching, tongues
   · Ephesians 4: apostle, evangelism, pastor, prophecy, teaching
   · Misc. Passages: celibacy, martyrdom, missionary, voluntary poverty
   
5. What benefits of grace are you thankful for in the…
   · Past? v4… grace of salvation
   · Present? v5-7… enriched with spiritual gifts, not lacking
   · Future? v8… strong to the end

Bottom Line Point(s):

• When we follow Jesus, we are made holy.
• Christ has got us covered, past, present, and future… We have salvation, are not lacking gifts, keep us strong to the end.

How can you apply what you’ve learned here?

• We need to recognize that we each play a part in the church.
• Need to find our gifts and use them.

Bibliography

1. Barton & others, "Life Application Bible Commentary: 1&2 Corinthians"
2. MacArthur, "1 Corinthians: Godly Solutions for Church Problems"
3. "Serendipity Study Bible for Groups"
4. Tyler Jones, Sermon on same topic