1 Corinthians #8 – Study Questions
The Adventurous Life
1 Corinthians (CGS#8) – 4:1-8
INTRODUCTION: Chapter four is the conclusion to Paul’s longer opening, which focused on the issue of personal pride and division that had come to define and dominate the Corinthian church. And last week, we looked at the first seven verses of chapter four. We heard Paul say that obedience is God’s love language. He’ll said it this way, “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. (v.2)” The obedience of the Corinthian believers was to be motivated by what they had already received in Christ. God had lavishly poured out his love and grace on them through Christ Jesus (v.7). This week, as we pick up in verse 8 and walk through the rest of the chapter (v. 20), we will step right back into Paul’s exhortation about how rich the Corinthian believers are in Christ. He will literally say it just like this (v.8), “Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich!” Their pride problem had them focusing on the wrong things, which meant that they had forgotten how lavish and generous was the grace of God. This phrase from Paul is meant to do two things for them. First, it is to humble them. They weren’t as advanced or enlightened as they were currently thinking in their puffed-up and arrogant state. They had always been and always would be dependent on God. It was another (and needed) slice of rhetorical humble pie from Paul. Secondly, it was intended to cause them to feel gratitude for the joy and depth of their salvation. Gratitude is a powerfully positive force in our minds and hearts. It radically changes our postures and intentions. Just as we learned last week, it is the thing that fuels our obedience. Obedience like that is risky and adventurous.
The adventurous life we were created for.
Paul uses a series of contrasts (vv.9-13) to remind them of both their privileged position in Christ and that they are to be distinctly different from Corinth. Paul will go on in a few more verses to tell them that they are to be imitators of Paul. Why? Because he is living this adventurous life of following Christ Jesus in a life-defining way. Too often, when we reduce Christianity to behavioral modification, we strip it of its adventurous foundation. Paul’s words to the Corinthian believers are risky and demanding. It will cost them something to be imitators of Paul and come into conformity with Christ. Adventurous living is costly. But it is more rewarding than anything else! This is why we ask the life question, “How are my investments doing?” This question isn’t primarily about money; it is about being purposefully responsive in following God in the opportunities he has for each of us. It is about adventurous living with our time, talents, and yes, our treasure (money).
There is also something very sobering about the contrasts that Paul presents here in this section. They reveal to the honest and humble person that we cannot live this way under our own strength. We are in need of God’s help. Why? Because the contrasts Paul presents give us a picture of the actual earthly life and ministry of Jesus. To live this way is to follow Jesus with everything we have (time, talents, and treasure). And anyone who has tried to do that with their own strength knows the impossibility of that task. We need the Spirit of God to help us follow the Jesus way. And the Jesus way is the adventurous life we were created for. Living adventurously is both more costly and more rewarding than we can imagine.
GETTING STARTED – As you begin your group time, take time to answer this question together: What has been the most rewarding adventure of your life to this point? What did it teach you about yourself?
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.
- In Paul’s list of contrasts (vv. 9-13), which of those contrasts is the most uncomfortable for you? What do you think God wants to teach you with that discomfort?
- Consider the following questions about the investments of our time, talents, and treasure:
- Where am I investing each of these?
- Am I investing each of these in some measure into God’s work and purposes?
- Do I need to adjust any of these to be more purposeful in living the adventurous life of discipleship?
- What is one step that I can take this week? Or, what is one way that I need to grow in the next semester?