Embarking on our journey to corinth:

Goals, Guidelines and Gospel centered church life

1 corinthians

Central Idea

1 Corinthians is an extremely relevant book for us to study.  Its themes of gospel centered relationships, gospel centered church life, gospel centered leadership in the context of a materialistic, intellectual, man-centered society should have a life-changing impact on us as a local body of believers in New England.  Let us embark on our journey to Corinth as learners, ready to acquire life lessons from our visit that will transform our experience here in the 21st century at King of Grace Church.

A beginners guide to visiting corinth

Geography

At isthmus – about 4 miles across. Between two harbors. At the foot of acrocorinth.

History

Greek city trashed 146 BC. Reconstructed by Julius Caesar on top of old 44 BC, <100 years before Paul came. Place trade – like Panama canal except you had to haul over land.

Society

A recently established city. A city exposed to lots of economic opportunity. Trade, agriculture, bronze and tourism w/ Isthmian games – every two years – like world cup. A city without established classes – like a boon town.  Full of recently freed indentured servants and self-made men.  Nouveau Riche

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 , 1 Corinthians 6:1-11, 1 Corinthians 8:1-31, 1 Corinthians 12:2-16, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

The problem was not a misunderstanding of the gospel but a misapplication of the gospel.

Not a faulty foundation but a faulty building.

Isn’t that true today?  Not unlike modern America.  Isn’t that like right here in New England Isn’t it like you and me?

A fist fight at an annual meeting.

 

The consumer approach to church.

We need to market to the masses.

Recreation and leisure are what brings fulfillment.  “If we can outperform these other options for fulfillment we can win them for Christ.”  We are left competing with Club-Med, Youth Soccer and the Food Network.  Are we compromising with the culture just like the Corinthians?  Are we immature just like them?  Are we failing to see the implications of the gospel and building foolishly just like the Corinthians?

But Corinthians offers great hope – for Paul wrote the letter to people just like us!  He brings the gospel balm to bring healing to the festering sore of immaturity!

Key landmarks to visit

The central role of practical theology.

 Gospel Centered Living – Christ centered living

“The cross, its wisdom or its effect, is also pivotal in every issue except the one concerning headdress.  It is central to his discussion of factions (1:18-31, 4:8-13) but also appear in his discussion of incest (5:7-8), lawsuits (6:7), sexual immorality (6:20), marriage (7:23), idol meat (8:11), the Lords supper (11:26), spiritual gifts (13:1-13), and the resurrection (15:3).”       Garland, p 17

Church Life

“Paul is not concerned just with individual edification of believers or with doctrinal teaching in the abstract; rather, his pastoral task is the organization and nurturing of community.  His constant goal is to call the Corinthians to understand their corporate existence as the church. “       Hays, p 11

End Times Perspective

Goals of our journey

Journeying Together

Observing

Learning

Changing

 

Application Questions:

  1. What are some ideas that you see over and over again throughout 1 Corinthians?
  2. Why are some words that are used often?  What do they mean?
  3. Why do you think Paul wrote 1 Corinthians?
  4. What were some problems they had?
  5. What solutions did Paul offer?
  6. What problems can you relate to?
  7. How can you learn from the solutions offered the Corinthians?
  8. How does the gospel affect how we relate to other people?  How does is make us more humble, more loving, more intentional in building relationships with other folks?
  9. How do you do in relating to people in the church that are really different from you?  How does 1 Corinthians help you with this?
  10. How does 1 Corinthians help you be more mindful of how other believers in the church are doing?
  11. How does 1 Corinthians help you resist sin and become more like Christ?

 

 

daily Devotional

 

Day

Passage

Thoughts

Monday, October 18, 2004

1 Cor. 1

What enabled Paul to be so nice to the Corinthians in his introduction?  How do these truths impact your day today?

Tuesday, October 19, 2004

1 Cor. 2

How are you going to let the wisdom from God affect your life today?

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

1 Cor. 3

What are ways we can build on the foundation of Christ in a way that will last?  today?

Thursday, October 21, 2004

1 Cor. 4

What causes you to boast in Christ and not yourself? 

Friday, October 22, 2004

1 Cor. 5

How does dealing with gross sin in the midst of the church keep the church pure?  Why?

Saturday, October 23, 2004

1 Cor. 6

Why do we seek to settle conflicts from within the church? What conflict in the church do you need to settle?

Sunday, October 24, 2004

1 Cor. 7

How can a single focus their energy while single?  How are you doing this?

 

Resources:

 

NIV Study Bible

New Geneva Study Bible

NAS Study Bible

ESV Bible

 

1 Corinthians: Godly Solutions for Church Problems, John MacArthur

 

The Cross and Christian Ministry, DA Carson

Showing the Spirit, DA Carson

 

1 Corinthians, David Prior, Bible Speaks Today Series

1 Corinthians, Richard B. Hays, Interpretation Series