October 29, 2016
Read 1 Corinthians 15:35-58.
Look at Paul’s comparison between our present natural bodies and our future glorified bodies and write the differences below.
Compare the two “Adams”
From 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 discuss what the differences between “….the first man, Adam became a living person” (God breathed into him the breath of life Genesis 2:7) and “…. The last Adam – that is Christ- is a life-giving Spirit” (see John 1:4, 3:6) are.
For further reading see Romans 5:12-19.
Re-read 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 and imagine what it will be like when these things happen to you as a believer.
Paul says “…. Let me reveal to you a wonderful secret….?
What will happen and how quickly?
Write down the descriptive words he uses.
Read about Paul’s experience 12-14 years earlier. 2 Corinthians 12:1-4.
Read about the time John saw with Peter and James, Jesus in His glory. Matthew 17:1-6.
Who does John say we will be like? 1 John 3:2.
Read Peter’s comments. 2 Peter 1:16-18.
Think about and discuss the following insights about what Jesus’ transformation tells us we have to look forward to.
The transformation was a foretaste of heaven: the participants were doing something worth noting—talking together. In God’s world interactions count highly. People are individuals, with minds, hearts and opinions. People are also part of a wider whole, connected by relationships built on sharing between whole persons. Friendship is the key. Make time and opportunities to talk with others. Good conversations act as training for eternity. *
Paul describes that we will still have our personalities and recognizable characteristics in our resurrected body, but through Christ’s work our body will be better than we can imagine. The Bible does not tell us everything about our resurrected body, but we know it will be perfect without sickness, disease, or pain (see Philippians 3:21, Revelation 21:4) *
Six years after writing 1 Corinthians Paul expressed to the Philippians where he really longed to go to. Philippians 1:23.
Read what else he said and discuss in your group what his attitude was toward how he would use his remaining time on earth. Philippians 1:20-26.
With all Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians 15 read his closing words, 1 Corinthians 15:58
Knowing all you have to look forward to, how does this influence how you will live until you “hear the trumpet call” and you are transformed and receive your glorified, immortal, spiritual body and become like Jesus?
How does this influence your present walk with the Lord now, your values, priorities, how you spend your time and other resources and generally how you live your life?
Share your answer in your group.
* taken from ‘Life Application Study Bible’