1 Corinthians #5 – Study Questions
Growing into Maturity
1 Corinthians (CGS#5) – 3:1-9
INTRODUCTION: When you read a letter from the Apostle Paul in the NT, it is helpful to know that Paul often writes with a propositional format. That is, he introduces idea A, which then leads to idea B, and then combines those ideas into conclusion C. That is what is happening in the opening four chapters of 1 Corinthians. In chapter one, Paul reminded them of their identity, that is, who they are in Christ. He told them that they were “saints together” and the “church of God” who are to be “sanctified in Jesus.” Then he moves into chapter two, reminding them that they have been given the Holy Spirit and the “mind of Christ.” These are two essential truths that both reaffirm what he said in chapter one, and encourage them that they are not alone in the pursuit of holiness (i.e., sanctification). We can summarize chapters one and two this way, you are someone new in Christ, and that means you are not to live the way you did before Christ, and even though this new life is hard, you have all the strength and support that you need in the Holy Spirit.
These were important ideas for Paul to express before he got to chapter three. That is because in chapter three, he is going to tell them, “You are acting like a bunch of babies and you need to grow up!” Ok, that is my paraphrase, but it is the thrust of what Paul says. When we read chapter three, it is really important for us to remember the audience and the context of the letter. Paul is not writing to new believers; he is writing to those who should have known better and should have been much further along in their spiritual growth. It is also important for us to remember that Paul’s words here are not questioning their salvation. He is using the literary device of absurdity once again (cf. 1:13) to shake them free from their complacency and immaturity. Here is how one commentator summarizes this section, “Paul addresses the divisions plaguing the Corinthians, informing them that he had to treat them not as spiritual people but as those who were fleshly. They were given a diet of milk instead of meat on account of the envy and strife in their midst. Their quarrelling centered on whether they belonged to Paul or Apollos, showing that they were still thinking on a human level. Paul explains that he and Apollos are merely servants, and the Corinthians’ focus should be on the Lord. Paul established the church, and Apollos nurtured it, but all growth came from God. The Corinthians should recognize, then, that God should be central in their thinking, instead of exalting human ministers who are nothing. Those who minister will be evaluated and rewarded in accord with their labor as co-workers, but the Corinthians themselves are God’s field and God’s building.” [1] Paul is going to tell them a crucial truth about the spiritual life, maturity is not an optional pursuit or outcome. Instead, maturity (Christ-likeness) is the expected outcome for all believers. To help them, Paul gives three illustrations. – Workers, field, and building.
- Anthropological – We are God’s fellow workers.
- This is what we are to do and how we are to act within our culture. We are to work in the good works that God has prepared for us. (cf. Eph. 2:10)
- Agricultural – We are God’s field.
- We are to be good soil where the gospel can grow and bear fruit. (cf. Matt. 13:1-23)
- Architectural – We are God’s building.
- Buildings have distinct purposes. They are created and built to be houses, schools, hospitals, and places of worship. Paul will go on in 1 Cor. 6:9 to say that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit.
- Paul is reminding them that the way they live matters, and mature people are like buildings that reflect the purpose of their builder’s design and construction. Which, by the way, is Jesus (v.10).
GETTING STARTED – As you begin your group time, take time to answer this question together: Who is someone in your life that has challenged you to needed spiritual growth and maturity? What did they do that was helpful?
IN THE WORD – Let’s dig back into the passage. It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.
First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)
Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.
Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?
Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday-Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?
Note: Another way to approach your time together is to talk through the following questions about the article of faith we are studying that week.
- What did you hear God’s Spirit say to you through the passage this week? How does it encourage you? How does it sharpen you?
- How have you seen God at work in your life this week? Have you enjoyed him? Have you heard his voice and the leading of his Spirit? Big ways or small ways.
- Who are you influenced by, and whom do you influence? Do you need to make any changes either to the examples you follow or the example you provide?
- How have you seen spiritual immaturity in your life or the life of the church cause sinful actions and attitudes to take root? How did they get rooted out?
- Consider the three images that Paul gives (worker, field, and building). Which of those images resonates with you the most? Which is an area for growth? Remember, we will never stop growing in our knowledge of God and conformity to Christ.
[1] Gordon D. Fee, The First Epistle to the Corinthians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1987), 128–135.