For Sunday, August 1, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, Aug 1, 2010

Sorry I posted so late this week! It has been a crazy one!

1) 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
How is God the God of all comfort? Is verse 3 comforting to you? Why or why not? What is the positive side of suffering for a Christian?

2) 1 Corinthians 1:8-12
What is the purpose of suffering in a Christina’s life? How does it effect their walk with God? Their relationships? When has God delivered you? On a scale of 1-10, how well do we share the blessings of answered prayers with each other?

3) 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
Is your life characterized by an attitude of triumphal procession in Christ? What is the fragrance of you life? Is it the aroma of Christ or of something else? How does Paul describe the two possible responses to the aroma of Christ?

4) Re-read the passages from Days 1-3. What does each passage teach us about relationships? Now read 1 Corinthians 13. What is God calling you to do to make your relationships more honoring to him?

For Sunday, July 25, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, July 25, 2010

1) 1 Corinthians 15:1-6
What did Paul say was of first importance? What was the proof that this truly happened? What is distinctive about the life of someone who truly holds this truth to be of primary importance?

2) 1Corinthians 15:12-18
What makes it difficult for some people to believe in the resurrection? Why does all faith in Jesus hinge on the truth of His resurrection? If Christ wasn’t raised, why would our faith be futile?

3) 1 Corinthians 15:50-57
What mystery was Paul describing? Why did it matter? How was Jesus’ resurrection a victory over death? How did Jesus’ victory over death give us victory? Does your daily life display the victory over sin you have available in Christ?

4) John 11:38-44; Matthew 10:6-8; Mark 12:18-23
How does each passage relate to the theme of resurrection? How does each passage influence your belief in, and your ability to demonstrate with your life, Christ’s victory over sin and death through His resurrection?

For Sunday, July 18, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, July 18, 2010

1) 1 Corinthians 13
What stands out to you in the way love is described? How is this different from our culture’s view? Why did Paul say love is great than all other Christian virtues?

2) 1 Corinthians 13
This passage describes God’s love. Re-read, substituting “God’s love” each time it says love. How has God loved you? Meditate on God’s love today.

3) 1 Corinthians 13
Names some actions or great feats people relate to expressions of love. How do they measure up to the standard described in this passage? Make a list with two categories using this passage: love is…love is not….

4) 1 Corinthians 13
Make a sketch map of this passage -- draw a symbol or small picture for each word picture within the verses. Which word picture do you connect with most? Does your life display God’s kind of love? In what ways are you practicing the virtues of faith, hope and love?

For Sunday, July 11, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, July 4, 2010

1) 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Why was it important for the Christians to not be ignorant about spiritual gifts? What does Paul teach them about the Holy Spirit’s role in the Christian’s life in this passage? How is this message about spiritual gifts a lesson about diversity? How is it a lesson about unity? According to verse 7, what is the purpose of spiritual gifts? What are some of the gifts mentioned in the next few verses? If you are a Christian, have you identified your spiritual gifts? What helped you discover them?

2) 1Corinthians 12:12-26
How is the church like a body? How is that a lesson of diversity? How is that a lesson of unity? How do you see the truth that “no believer is unimportant” demonstrated in this passage? How is that truth demonstrated in our church? How does living according to that truth change how we treat each other? In light of the lesson of verse 19, what should our response be to feelings (in ourselves or others) that one Christian is superior to another, or that some assignment in God’s kingdom is more or less important than another? How well does our church practice verse 26? How well do you practice it personally?

3) 1 Corinthians 12:27-31
Name the gifts listed in this passage. What is the lesson Paul is trying to teach in this passage? What does he mean when he says to “eagerly desire the greater gifts?” How does the end of verse 31 lead into the main topic of the next chapter? How would focusing on love as the main goal influence Christians’ application of their spiritual gifts?

4) Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:11-13; Colossians 1:8
How does reading these passages add to your understanding of spiritual gifts? Why is it so important to remember who the head of our “body” is? Why is it so important to remember the purpose of spiritual gifts?

For Sunday, July 4, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, July 4, 2010

1) 1 Corinthians 8:1-3
What aspect of their old lives was causing conflicts for the Corinthian Christians according to this verse? How does knowledge puff up? What did Paul mean? What would be different in someone’s actions toward others who was focused on love rather than on their own knowledge?

2) 1Corinthians 8:9-13; 10:23-24
How can we tell the difference between areas of our Christian lives that have clear boundaries of right and wrong and areas of freedom? According to Paul, how can we destroy someone by our knowledge? What are some stumbling blocks for you? When have you been a stumbling block for someone else?

3) 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
What did Paul claim as his goal when choosing about issues of Christian freedom? How could this teaching be misunderstood or abused? Where do you think Paul drew the boundary lines in trying to bring the gospel to all?

4) 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
What should be the ultimate goal of all our activities and decision? Whose good should we seek? Pray and examine yourself in regard to the teaching of these verses.

For Sunday, June 27, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, June 27, 2010

1) 1 Corinthians 7:1-6
In verse 1, Paul addresses how he chose his topic. What was the reason? What did Paul instruct them about marriage? What did he tell widows? The unmarried? The believer married to an unbeliever?

2) 1Corinthians 7:17-24
What is the primary principle Paul repeats in this passage? What are the benefits in God’s kingdom to staying in the position (socially, economically, etc) you were when you became a Christian? Are there exceptions? How does this relate to freedom in Christ? To our Kingdom responsibilities?

3) 1 Corinthians 7:25-40
According to Paul, what are the benefits of marriage? Of single hood? The church in Corinth was debating the issue. What was Paul’s advice? Do you agree or disagree with Paul?

4) Matthew 19:1-12
What did Jesus have to say about marriage in this passage? What was the Pharisees’ opinion about marriage? How does the attitude toward marriage in that day compare to the attitude toward marriage in our culture today?
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
What does it mean to be yoked together? How does this relate to Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 7:12-16?

For Sunday, June 20, 2010

Reading selections and questions for Sunday, June 20, 2010

1) 1 Corinthians 5:1-5; 9-13
What problem in the Corinthian church does Paul discuss in this passage? What are his instructions? Do they seem extreme or hard? Why does Paul react so strongly to this issue?

2) 1Corinthians 6:1-8
What problem in the Corinthian church does Paul discuss in this passage? What are his instructions? How has this problem effected their witness? Why did Paul say they should be willing to be wronged or cheated?

3) 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
What is the bad news in these verses? What is the good news? If Paul was writing this description about your life before Christ, what labels would he have included? Spend time worshipping God for washing, sanctifying and justifying you.

4) 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Phrase the excuses in verse 12 in modern day language. What was the price you were bought with? How does keeping that focus help us avoid sexual immorality? Are you honoring God with your body?