The ending of the letters in the bible are often seen as small at first glance but then shine out pure gems after careful reflection. How would you expect Paul to end a letter pretty full of rebuke? By sprinkling reminders that we are all part of the one church on mission together.

Part two of Paul’s chapter on the resurrection moves from the essential need for it and on to a description of it. He moves from his point on “believe it or don’t bother” to “stretch your belief!”

Do you think much about the resurrection from the dead? Paul did. And he argues that it makes the greatest difference to our theology.

There is more going on in the church of God in Corinth than a battle between tongues and prophecy. Chaos and disorder get addressed at the end of Chapter 14.

Building the church Discussion Question Share a time when you experienced being a foreigner! (It could be when everyone around you was speaking another language, sharing an in-joke, or participating in an activity you had no idea how to do) How did it make you feel? (This is a little sharper and more pointed… Share … Continue reading 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 →

The Most Excellent Way Discussion Question How many classic songs can you list that have ‘love’ in the title? There’s ‘Love, love me do’, and ‘She loves me’, both by The Beatles. What else can you come up with in 2 minutes? Background (Context) The church in Corinth needed to hear how they were living … Continue reading 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 →

While all of our body parts are important to us, many of them are taken for granted or overlooked – perhaps we even have body parts that you don’t know exist! The human body is an amazing thing that has been designed by God to be just the way it is. So too the church of God. All parts of the body of Christ are to consider themselves valuable to the body. And the greater parts of the body are to recognise this also. But there is a way to damage the whole.

Spiritual gifts tend to be feared or talked down so much that they are boring. What if there were a way of seeing spiritual gifts as something essential to the church and a source of comfort and encouragement?

Idols and believers Discussion Question What has been a highlight for you in this series of Chaos to Christ? Background We reach the end of the 1 Corinthians 1-10 – Chaos to Christ series and I hope that Paul’s letter has highlighted the need to find our foundation on the cross of Christ. Our faith … Continue reading Study 16 – 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1 →

Warnings for believers Discussion Question What use is the Old Testament? Background Paul’s letter about Christ centeredness has progressed to discuss Christian freedom and the possibility of being disqualified from the faith. Even though Paul is aware that he is no longer under the law of Moses, he remains under the law of Christ which … Continue reading Study 15 – 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 →

Living the work of the gospel Discussion Question What does it take to be great at something? For example, becoming a specialist doctor, or a concert musician. Do you have a story of becoming great at something? Background Early in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul stated that he determined to know nothing except Jesus … Continue reading Study 14 – 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 →

Supporting the work of the gospel Discussion Question While there is free-to-air television, paid streaming services are thriving in business. What is going on there? Can you think of other examples where you might be inclined to pay more money for something that you could get for a lot cheaper or even free? Background In … Continue reading Study 13 – 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 →