Seek the Good of Others
Text: 1 Corinthians 10:23-30
Theme: Do what is good for others.
- Memorize 1 Corinthians 10:24 and commit to saying it every morning this week. See how God uses this verse to help you act and respond rightly.
- v.26 of our text quotes Psalm 24. Read it and celebrate the description of the Lord as King!
- Look up some verses of “building up” - the idea found in 1 Corinthians 10:23; 1 Corinthians 14:26; 2 Corinthians 12:19; Ephesians 4:29
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:24
Hope in Temptation
Text: 1 Corinthians 10:13
Theme: God's faithfulness is your hope in temptation.
- If you had to choose just one of the Psalm references in the Affirmation of Faith, which one would you choose? And why?
- Trace the "faithful" God texts in the New Testament: 1 Corinthians 1:9 and 10:13; 2 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Thessalonians 3:3
- How does the story in Job chapter 1 merge with the idea in 1 Corinthians 10:13 of God "letting" or "allowing"?
God is faithful...he will provide...you may be able to endure... ~ 1 Corinthians 10:6
The Danger of Idolatry
Text: 1 Corinthians 10:1-12
Theme: Beware of the danger of idolatry
- Consider the Old Testament examples (1 Cor 10:6) given in our text. Perhaps you could study just one a day this week.
- Exodus 32:1-9, 15-28
- Numbers 25:1-9
- Numbers 21:1-9
- Numbers 14:1-12, 20-34
- Numbers 16
- Which story was most instructive for you? Why?
- What is your idolatrous tendency?
Christian Liberty & Self-Control
Text: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Theme: Advancing the gospel requires self-control.
- Read our text from Sunday (1 Cor 9:24-27) and then link it to 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
- Consider more thoughts on “the prize” in Philippians 3:12-15. How would you define this prize?
- Allow 2 Peter to help you understand the thought of being disqualified. Read 2 Peter 1:10, and then go back and read about “these qualities” in v.4-8.
Paying the Pastor is NOT the Point
Text: 1 Corinthians 9:1-14
Theme: Paying the Pastor is NOT the Point
- Making the point of Paul’s example of having and surrendering his right in love compare 1 Corinthians 9:4 to 8:6.
- Read 1 Corinthians 9:14 and trace this idea through the New Testament: Matthew 10:8-10; Luke 10:7; Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17-18
- Look over the concluding points on your outline. Now trace these points in Philippians 2:5-11 in the story of redemption unfolding in the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
Love sets aside rights.
What is Conscience?
Starting with an overview of what will be discussed in the book. Then moving into Chapter 1 to discuss the question: What is conscience?
With Liberty and Love for All
Text: 1 Corinthians 8
- Review 1 Corinthians 8. Is knowledge a bad thing?
- Can you think of a time when you have been right in your position on an issue, but wrong in your disposition?
- What conviction do you have that causes you alarm when someone else does not hold the same conviction?
- What is the hope for unity with so many differences?
Introduction to a Study of The Conscience
Introduction to the study of the conscience using the book Conscience: What It Is, How to Train It, and Loving Those Who Differ.
When Singleness is Better than Marriage
Text: 1 Corinthians 7:25-40
Theme: Sometimes being single is better than being married.
- As we get back into 1 Corinthians, review some of the internal issues the church faced: divisions in 1:10 and 3:1-9; church discipline in 5:1-7; lawsuits in 6:1-8; sexual immorality in 6:18-20; and marriage/singleness in 7:17.
- Look at each topic so far, and ask yourself, “How does my life display the solution/alternative to each of these problems?”
- Look ahead by reading 1 Corinthians 8 — a short chapter!
The Nations
Text: Matthew 28:16-20
The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
~ Isaiah 52:10
Approaching a New Year
Text: Psalm 18
Theme: Approaching the New Year — with its troops to run against and its walls to leap over.
This God — his way is perfect ~ Psalm 18:30
Arise; Shine
Text: Isaiah 60:1-3
Theme: Every Christian must reflect the light of Christ to a dark world.
A Savior Who is Christ the Lord
Text: Luke 2:1-14
Theme: A portrait of the Savior
- Read Luke 2:11 and try to remember how each word/ phrase adds to the beautiful portrait of the Savior.
- Remember what Micah said about the coming Messiah in chapter 5:2-5. What key words in the ancient text can speak truth into your life today?
- How is “Immanuel” still true today for the believer?
- In preparation for next week, read Isaiah 9:1-7 and Isaiah 60:1-3.