Letters Study #4

David Staff   -   June 29, 2020

CHANGES REQUIRED! (Coaching the Corinthians…and us)

No letter from Paul to a church in the 1st Century was more forthright. The spiritual father of the Corinthian church was compelled by the Holy Spirit to call these boastful believers out on matter after matter. Here’s an overview.

 

This week’s teaching unpacked the Corinthian church challenge:

Get STARTED – get the ball rolling by reviewing the chart above, and then discussing

  • Do you see any of these kinds of divisions, conduct, or doctrinal confusion in the church at large today? Examples?
  • Do you see any of this seeking to weaken our fellowship (Christ Community Church of Ames)?

Explore the WORD – As a group, take on the questions below, from 3 texts in 1 Corinthians

  • DIVIDED LOYALTIES – How does 1 Corinthians 3:1-23 tackle the problem of division-producing loyalties?
    • From where does the text suggest these loyalties arise?
    • What thinking or perspective is required to NOT divide over favorite Christian leaders or teachers? Explain.
    • For those who destroy a body of believers through divisions, what warning is found here?
    • What abundance has God provided for his people?
  • DISORDERLY CONDUCT – 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 addresses the issue of unchecked physical indulgence among believers. Paul cites 2 oft-repeated sayings among Corinthians (the first saying he repeats).
    • What are these oft-repeated sayings?
    • What is Paul’s coaching about these sayings?
    • When it comes to physical indulgence, what does Paul want Christians “to know” which should guide their decisions?
  • DOCTRINAL DEFICIENCY – what does a retreat from the bodily resurrection of Jesus mean for Christians? Take some time with 1 Corinthians 15:12-22.
    • What is our problem if the bodily resurrection of Jesus is not a historical event and true fact?
    • What are the outcomes because it is true!?
    • Talk about the hope you find (and feel!) in 1 Corinthians 15:51-58!

Prioritize APPLICATION Admittedly, there is much to chew on and correct from the coaching given the Corinthians.

  • Which did you find most important to you? DIVIDED LOYALTIES, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, or DOCTRINAL DEFICIENCY?
  • What’s an important “take away” for your own walk with Jesus from this study? State it! Pray it!!