March 19, 2016
This week’s study is the seventh in a series looking at 1 Corinthians.
Let’s consider a newly born person.
In a general sense what is God’s purpose/goal for the life of this baby?
Short term.
Medium term.
Long term.
How does the baby start to develop the potential God has given him/her?
Who else needs to be involved and what needs to be available for this to happen?
When a baby doesn’t grow up normally (physically) as God intended what conclusion do we come to?
Let’s now translate into the Spiritual realm.
Let’s consider a person having just become a Christian, born into God’s family.
What is God’s purpose/goal for him/her?
Short term. 1 Peter 2:2-3.
Medium term. Matthew 21:18-19, Galatians 5:22-23.
Long term. Matthew 13:23, John 12:23-26.
When a Christian does not grow through each of the above phases as God intended what are the likely reasons why?
Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-9.
Where did Paul say they were at in their spiritual growth?
What was the indicator? 1Corinthians 3:3.
Write down the areas Paul mentioned in this passage (there are others elsewhere throughout the book) which showed this.
When it comes to growing spiritually, Who should we be focusing on?
What were Paul and Apollos roles?
Discus the significance of the point Paul makes in 1Corinthians 3:6-7.
Read 1 Corinthians 3:9. Who were the Corinthians (and us also as Fellow Christians)? What does this mean?
List some of the things which hinder growth according to the following.
Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23. 2 Peter 1:9, Hebrews 5:11-14. Can you add others?
List some of the things which help growth according to the following.
2 Peter 1:3-11, Philippians 3:12-16, Matthew 13:23, Hebrews 6:1-3. Can you add others?
Read 1 Corinthians 3:10-16.
As we seek to serve what does Paul say we need to be? 1 Corinthians 3:10.
Write down what the two basics we need to be doing are according to 1 Corinthians 3:11-12. Discuss the results of both.
Basic One. Look at the following and include in your discussion. 1 Corinthians 2:2, John 19:30, Philippians 3:2-11, See Paul’s example in 1 Corinthians 2:2, 15:1-9. (To help, read footnote #)
Basic Two. What do the two different types of material mentioned represent? Consider the following. 1 Corinthians 2:3-5, 1 Corinthians 15:10, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 6:3-10. (To help, read footnote # #)
Discuss the value of spiritual gifts in building God’s Temple. How important do you think it is to know and use the spiritual gift(s) the Holy Spirit has given you? 1 Corinthians 12:7,11, 1 Corinthians 12:18,27.
Where do you think you are regarding your spiritual growth? Are you growing as God intends?
Who is your focus?
Do you know what your spiritual gift(s) is? Are you using it/them to help build God’s Temple (Christ’s Body, The Church)? Share your answer with your group.
Footnote #
“The foundation of the Church-of all believers-is Jesus Christ. Nothing and no one else will do, wrote Paul. A building with no foundation, or one poorly constructed, will not last. The finest materials used to construct a home quickly rot and fall apart if they are resting on the ground. And a building is only as solid as its foundation. The foundation of our life is Jesus Christ: He is our base, our reason for being. Everything we are and do must fit into the pattern provided by Him. Are you building your life on the only real and lasting foundation, or are you building on a faulty foundation, such as wealth, security, success or fame? Be careful how you build.” (Taken from “Life Application Study Bible”)
Footnote # #
“While some have applied these verses to personal spiritual growth, Paul’s teaching has to do with ministry to others. What do we do to build others up? Do we build on Christ as Foundation? Do we build with perishable materials? The Corinthians could construct their church with lasting, eternal teaching or with the changing, temporary wisdom of the day. Paul’s words challenge our methods of discipleship. Do we attach others to ourselves as the foundation, or to Christ? Do we use our abilities and spiritual gifts to build others up in the church or keep them tied to us? Do we use Bible-based teaching or merely adaptations of worldly wisdom?” (Taken from “Life Application Study Bible”)