Text: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40

Theme: The Practice of Spiritual Gifts, Part 2: Order

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• Look again at 1 Corinthians 11:2-13. You need to be sure that this text isn’t conflict with your understanding of 1 Corinthians 13:34. You must also add the clarity of 1 Timothy 2:12. Now use the context of 1 Corinthians 14 to shape a fresh thought about the meaning of “keep silent”.

Text: 1 Corinthians 14:1-25

Theme: The Practice of Spiritual Gifts: Part 1 — Edification

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• The first part of 1 Corinthians 14:5 sounds a lot like Moses in Number 11:25-29.
• For background on 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 read Deuteronomy 28:45-50 and then Isaiah 28:11-12.
• Compare 1 Corinthians 14:25 to the prophecy of Zechariah 8:18-23. What do unbelievers conclude about your life?

A look at Psalm 8 with Ron Webber.

Text: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

Theme: Understanding "the perfect" in 1 Corinthians 13:10

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• Find the word “perfect” or “mature” in the following verses: Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:6; 1 Corinthians 14:20; Ephesians 4:13; Philippians 3:15; Colossians 1:28; Colossians 4:12; Hebrews 5:14; James 1:4; James 1:25
• How can you keep this perfection or maturity in your mind as a goal each day? And further, how do you go about becoming a mature Christian?

Text: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

Theme: The Permanence of Love

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• What does Romans 8:24-25 make us think about the permanence of hope?
• In preparation for next week’s study, read the account in Numbers 12:1-9. Compare Exodus 33:11.
• Then of course, read 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 again looking for clues in this very text about the interpretation of “when the perfect comes.”

Text: 1 Corinthians 13:6-7

Theme: The Truthfulness of Love

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• For an example of rejoicing in wrongdoing, note Pauls exhortation to the Corinthian church in chapter 5:1-5. Could Paul be accused of being unloving?
• How does taking a stand for right, for justice, and for truth fit in with 1 Corinthians 13:6? Check out Ephesians 4:15
• Add Proverbs 10:12 to your practice of wisdom. Are you good at doing this – this covering of offenses?

Text: 1 Corinthains 13:4-5

Theme: The Selflessness of Love

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• Proverbs 14:30 offers a rather grotesque word picture of our selfishness. Let it sink in…just not to the bones!
• Browse through a number of verses in 1 Corinthians that indicate the church was struggling with this issue of pride and selfishness: 3:3; 4:6-8; 5:2; 8:1; 10:24, 33
• Read John 13:1-5 where Jesus models the spirit of humility even though he was worth of recognition.

Text: 1 Corinthians 13:4

Theme: The Gentleness of Love

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• Consider a number of Bible passages that speak to the patience of love: Psalm 103:8; Ephesians 4:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:14. Who do you have the most trouble being patient with?
• Now some verses on kindness: Ephesians 4:32; Galatians 5:22; Luke 6:27-36. Pray for a renewed mind for pursuing kindness intentionally this week.

Text: 1 Corinthians 13

Theme: The "Most Excellent Way"

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• Consider a number of Bible passages that speak to the theme of love in the Christian life: John 13:34-45; John 15:9; Romans 13:8-9; 1 Corinthians 16:14; Romans 5:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 1 John 3:18
• Answer the following questions by reading 1 John 4:7-12. Where do you see the gospel? Where is assurance of salvation? What are we to do if God loves us?

Text: 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

Theme: The Prelude to the Excellence of Love

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• Romans 12 has a shorter treatment of spiritual gifts. Read Romans 12:3-8 to see 1) some gifts that the Corinthian letter doesn’t mention, 2) the unity and diversity of the gifts, and 3) the contentment with the gift that you have. This provides you with commentary to help understand the passage in 1 Corinthians 12:31 about desiring the “higher gifts”.

Text: 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Theme: The Context of Spiritual Gifts

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• For more thoughts on the unity and interdependence of diverse parts, read Ephesians 4:11-16. In these verses…
  • What are a few benefits that the church enjoys because of God’s design for his church?
  • What are a few of the obligations that you as a believer have to the church?
• Read 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 to prepare for next week.

Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Theme: The Foundation of Spiritual Gifts

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• Why do the lists of gifts differ? (from Romans 12:6-8 to 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 to 12:28-30)
• Do you know of any texts in the New Testament that detail the pursuit of discovering your spiritual gift?
• So what do we know about spiritual gifts that is more important than WHAT the gifts are and HOW to know which ones I have?

Text: Psalm 98:7

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• Look back over the outline; which point seems to be the loudest voice to your life right now?

• Read Psalm 146. Verses 3&4 remind us not to trust in man; verse 5 steers our trust to God and links the reasoning to God’s creation of the sea and everything in it. And then says that God’s faithfulness through the lens of the sea.

Hear from Jeremy Farmer on the work that is ongoing in northeast Cambodia. Visit their site SolidJoys.org for additional pictures and news.

Text: 1 Corinthians 11:27-34

Theme: Approaching the Lord's Table

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Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Theme: What is the Lord's Supper?

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• Make sure you are clear that Jesus’ bones were not broken: Exodus 12:46; Psalm 22:14, 17; John 19:33, 36
• Consider some passages that unfold the new covenant:
  • The pattern of the old in Exodus 24:1-8
  • The promise of the new in Jeremiah 31:31-34
  • The better, new covenant in Hebrews 7:22; all of chapter 8; 9:13-18; 10:14-18

Text: 1 Corinthians 11:17-22

Theme: When gathering causes more harm than good

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• What methods have you experienced in partaking of the Lord's Supper? Do you feel there are advantages or disadvantages to various methods?
• How do you intentionally seek to build unity in the church? How have you experienced disunity?
• Does worship ever become more about you and your preferences than God and his? How so?

Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. ~ 1 Corinthians 11:22

Text: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Theme: Hair, Hats, and Headship

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• Do “dress codes” matter? How? When? Why?
• What are some 21st century ways for Christians to demonstrate biblical headship and submission?
• Bonus question: Read 1 Corinthians 11:5 and then read 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. How can these both be true and without contradiction? (Hint: start with the context.) We will examine this when we get to chapter 14 in our study.

Text: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Theme: Hair, Hats, and Headship

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• Do “dress codes” matter? How? When? Why?
• What are some 21st century ways for Christians to demonstrate biblical headship and submission?
• Bonus question: Read 1 Corinthians 11:5 and then read 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. How can these both be true and without contradiction? (Hint: start with the context.) We will examine this when we get to chapter 14 in our study.

Text: Luke 24:13-48

Theme: Hope on the Road to Emmaus

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• Examine Luke 24:25-27 and 32 and 44-47. What does it tell us about the written Word, that the risen Christ would rely on its teaching to make the case for his resurrection?
• What is the significance of v.34’s mention of Simon? (Answer: 1 Cor 15:1-5; Luke 22:54-62; John 21:15-23)
• How would you explain v.41’s phrase disbelieved for joy?

“Jesus himself drew near and went with them” ~ Luke 24:15