1 Corinthians #19 – Weekly Study Questions

Kyle Bartholic   -   January 1, 2026

Christ Over Everything

1 Corinthians (CGS#19) – 10:1-13

INTRODUCTION – This Sunday, we are picking back up in our teaching series through the book of 1 Corinthians. When we started this journey in the early fall, we quickly encountered the main idea of this letter. In 1:2, Paul says, “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours…” This verse gives us everything that we need to understand the main context and idea of the letter. First, Paul is writing to believers in Corinth. This is the main context, the church (all believers) in Corinth. We know who it is to, now we learn what this letter is about with the phrase, “to those sanctified in Christ Jesus.” Paul is reminding the believers in Corinth that they are supposed to become more and more like Christ every day. That is what the word “sanctified” means. If we read a little further in chapter one, we will quickly figure out that they were definitely not becoming more like Christ. Instead, they were becoming more and more like Corinth. And that is the very opposite of what they were supposed to do. So Paul is writing to them to address specific issues and questions so that they can indeed become more like Jesus, and by verse 10, he jumps right in!

By the time we get to chapter 10, Paul has addressed their divisions and quarreling, their rampant sexual sin and taking advantage of each other in public courts, their questions on marriage, and their wrong practices and attitudes about eating meat that has been sacrificed to idols. In each of these sections, Paul goes back to his main idea, as Christians, you are to be like Christ (sanctified), so in every area of life, act and think in ways that conform to Christ, not Corinth. Now in chapter 10, Paul continues where he left off in chapter 9. There was apparently a group or a prevailing attitude in the Corinthian church that it didn’t really matter how you lived after salvation because your salvation was secure. And, we’ve heard plenty from Paul in the letter so far that teaches us, yes, our salvation is secure in Christ. However, Paul will assert that they have a critical failure in their theology and attitudes. God doesn’t celebrate or ignore our sin. Sin is wrong and against God. And if we are sanctified in Christ Jesus, we aren’t supposed to be reveling in or celebrating our sin; we are supposed to be living in ways that glorify Christ. To make this point, Paul looks back to the Old Testament and Israel’s life and struggles. In 10:4, Paul will connect the dots. Israel trusted God (and God alone) for salvation. They were trusting in Christ, even though they hadn’t seen him yet. The Corinthians also trusted in Christ for salvation. And just like the Israelites, the Corinthians were struggling with significant sexual sin and idol worship. Paul gives key markers from the OT where Israel struggled with these things. What is Paul’s point? Sin brings ruin, destruction, and very real consequences. Just look at the patterns of sin and consequences that Israel faced. If the Corinthians (and we) are not careful, our sin will bring patterns of ruin and very real consequences in our lives. Paul encourages sobriety, seriousness, and humility among the Corinthians. He tells them, don’t see how far you can go in your sin (v.9), take sin seriously, and don’t give in when you are tempted (vv. 12-13).

We would be wise to heed Paul’s instructions and warnings in this passage. Why? Because we, too, are supposed to be sanctified in Christ Jesus. That is, we are supposed to earnestly desire and strive to be more like Jesus than we are like Ames. It is Jesus who offers hope, not this passing world or cultural moment. So as Jesus’ people, we don’t need to give in to sin and disordered desires. Instead, we need to live as people who have been given unspeakable joy. The way we live matters. It matters that we are becoming more mature in Christ. It matters that we are living like billboards for God’s goodness and offer of salvation. It matters to our friends and family. It matters to our kids, coworkers, and neighbors. It matters now and for eternity.

GETTING STARTED – As you begin your group time, take time to answer this question together: What excites you about the coming year, and how do you hope to see God move in your life?

 

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-Saturday. 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 passage we are studying that week.

 

  1. 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?
  2. 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.
  3. We order our lives around the things we value. What things might need to be reordered for the values of Christ to be seen and experienced in my life in increasing ways?
    1. Consider emotional, spiritual, physical, relational, and cultural values.
    2. Are there values in your life that have moved to the place of becoming an idol?
  4. We are never to stop learning or growing to be like Christ on this side of heaven. What is one area in your life that you need to grow into greater Christ-like maturity this next year?
    1. Look at Gal. 5:22-23 for areas to identify. – “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
  5. What is your approach to fleeing temptation? How do you need to grow in “looking for the way out” that God provides?
  6. What would it look like to increasingly live with unspeakable joy this next year? What would need to be different in your perspectives on world events, attitudes about other people, postures in relationships and community, and motivations to love and serve?