Week Four:
Discussion Questions
- How would you sum up the main purpose of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians?
- What key ideas or practices are you taking from this letter?
- Why do you believe in the Resurrection (or struggle to believe)? What arguments are compelling to you?
- What about your own story or journey in faith testifies to the reality of the Resurrection?
- What are the ways God has blessed you? How can you give from these blessings to others? (Hint–think about more than just financial giving).
Resources
- Paul and Gender | Cynthia Westfall | Book
- Overview: 1 Corinthians | The Bible Project | Video
- First Corinthians: Interpretation | Richard B. Hays | Commentary
- The First Epistle to the Corinthians | Gordon D. Fee | Commentary
- 1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary | Leon Morris | Commentary
Week Three:
Discussion Questions
- There’s a big question in today’s church about how much we ought to conform to the patterns of this world in order to win people to the gospel. What do you think? How much should the church be influencing culture versus culture influencing the church? In other words, how much of the church should be concerned with staying relevant?
- How would the way you live each day change if you viewed faith as a race to win, rather than one you were just participating in?
- If idolatry simply means putting something in God’s place of worship, are there things we may be worshipping as idols today? What are the people, ideas, groups, or other things that you put in front of God as idols?
- How would you describe the significance of receiving Communion? How do you approach the Lord’s Supper–is it a meaningful experience for you? Why or why not?
- Spend a few moments jotting down some of the natural talents, abilities, or gifts you think you might already possess. This would be a wonderful opportunity to work through the paradigm Matt has been presenting through our series. Draw three columns. In the first, jot down things you’re good at; in the third column, write things that break your heart (issues or challenges you’re really passionate about). Now, think about where these columns might intersect. How could you use the things you’re uniquely gifted, the skills you possess, to help solve the issues in the third column?
- How would you define love? What does it mean to “have love” in the way we relate to God and others?
Resources
- Paul and Gender | Cynthia Westfall | Book
- The Test | The Bible Project | Video
- Overview: 1 Corinthians | The Bible Project | Video
- First Corinthians: Interpretation | Richard B. Hays | Commentary
- The First Epistle to the Corinthians | Gordon D. Fee | Commentary
- 1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary | Leon Morris | Commentary
Week Two:
Discussion Questions
- What does it mean to “put to death” the sinful desires of our flesh? What role does the individual play in this process? The community?
- How do you think believers should handle disagreements or fights with other believers? What should be the ultimate goal of these settlements?
- What does it look like for you to serve God as you are today, no matter what circumstances you’re currently facing?
- In what ways do you see your current state–married or single–as a gift? Are there times when it feels like the opposite? How does your current state uniquely allow you to serve God? What does it look like to put God first in your current circumstances?
- What does it mean to err on the side of love in regard to our relationships? Are there times when you’ve sacrificed in order to make a brother or sister in Christ more comfortable in a given situation or circumstance?
Week One:
Discussion Questions
- Who are the teachers or speakers you allow to influence you when it comes to your faith? Is it possible these teachers have begun to take your focus away from Jesus in some ways?
- Where do you see divisions in the church today? Do you think these divisions are primarily about differing personalities, theological issues, or something else?
- If you’re honest with yourself, where are you being discipled by worldly wisdom? In other words, where are you allowing the logic and wisdom of this world (people, institutions, ideas) to influence you and shape the way you view the world?
- What does it mean for us to rely on the Spirit of God, rather than relying on our own wisdom or the wisdom of the world?
- Would you consider yourself a leader in the
- church? Why or why not? What are the areas of influence you have within the church? Consider both the influence you have within the walls of the church and throughout the rest of your life.