1 Corinthians   One….(verses 1-9)

1.  Verses   1-9

a.   An apostle is generally regarded as one who had actually  seen the Lord Jesus and been with Him…..how did Paul qualify for this?  (Acts 9:3-9, 15;  22:12-15; 2 Corinthians 12:1-12;    Galatians 1:11-17)

Paul knew the Old Testament Scriptures thoroughly and had persecuted the young church thinking he was doing God’s work until that day when he was travelling to Damascus. He saw more than just the great light from heaven….he saw the Lord Jesus himself because it blinded his eyes. None of the others who saw the light became blind. He heard the actual voice of the Lord speaking to him saying he was called to this new work…..that he was a specially chosen person. After his initial meeting with the believers, he went off into Arabia where he spent three years in solitude with God, and it was then that God revealed all these New Testament truths to him.

b.  What sort of things did Paul see and hear during his “out of body” experience?    (2 Corinthians 12:4)

Things he couldn’t explain to anyone else.

c.   Why do you think it was impossible for him to explain these things? (1 Corinthians 2:9-11)

Because they are things beyond mortal man’s comprehension, and only spiritually discerned…he couldn’t find the words to explain them, and even if he had, people wouldn’t have been able to know what he was talking about!

d.   What are some things we have today that would be hard for our great grandparents to comprehend and understand?

Modern communication system, cell phones, computers

Travel under the sea and into space.

TV and stereo music, ipods etc.

Satellite tracking systems, GPS

Household appliances.

e.  Who decided that Paul should be one of the apostles?    (verse 1; Romans 1:4-5)

It was God’s will that it should be so.

f.  Look at the first few verses in some of Paul’s letters…..what do you notice he includes in his greetings to the believers?   (verse 3; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Colossians 1:2)

In most cases he says “Grace and peace be to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”

g.  What does he call those he is writing to?    (verse 2)

He calls them “saints”.

h.   What is the Biblical definition of a saint?     (verse 2)

One who calls on the name of the Lord….in other words, all believers!

i.   What are some things in this passage that we can pray for, for each other?    (verses 4-5, 7)

We can thank God for His grace to each of us; we can pray that we might by enriched in every way (spiritually)….in speech and knowledge.

We can ask that we be aware of our gifts, and also be waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

j.  How is the Lord going to view His people when He comes for them?  (verse 8; Ephesians 5:27)

As being blameless and without spot or blemish.

k.   Who is going to back this up ?    (Ephesians 1:4-6)

God the Father will ratify all that His Son has done.

l.   How is all this possible?     (Colossians 1:22)

It is made possible by the death of the Lord Jesus Christ…..His body went through death to pay the price of sin.

2.   Verses  10-23                                                                                          

a.   What is Paul very concerned about here?     (verses 10-13)

The divisions which had sprung up in the church at Corinth.

b.  How many people there had Paul baptised?      (verses 14-16)

Crispus and Gaius, plus the household of Stephanas.

c.   What was Paul’s main mission in life?       (verse 17)

The preaching of the Gospel so people would be saved.

d.   What importance did Paul put on the  intellectualism and education of the world? (Romans 1:22)

None whatsoever!

e.  How does the world regard the preaching of the Gospel?  (verse 18)

As utter rubbish and foolishness.

f.   What will all the education and qualifications of the world, count for before God?  Why?   (verses 19-20;  Proverbs 9:10)

Absolutely nothing, because all it does is to lift man up in the pride of his knowledge and his refusal to acknowledge God or give Him glory.

g.  What does God say about the contrast between His thoughts and man’s thoughts?   (Isaiah 55:8-9)

His thoughts, knowledge and ways are so much higher than anything that man can think or dream of.

h.  Why are most of the TV  wildlife programmes a prime example of this?

Because they exalt evolution and “Mother Nature”….the more of these that are made, the more mankind is digging his own hole before God.

i.   What is all that the believer needs to know,  to be wise before God?     (verse 21)

Christ crucified on the cross for our sins.

j.   What were the two types of people that Paul is talking about?     (verse 23)

The Jews and the Greeks.

k.  What did each of these people look for?      (verses 22-23)

The Jews looked for a sign and the Greeks promoted education.

l.  How did they each view the preaching of the cross?     (verse 23)

It was a stumbling block to the Jews because Jesus Christ didn’t fit into any of their ideas of their Messiah, and it was utter foolishness to the Greeks…..absolute rubbish.

2.   Verses   24-31

a.  How does the believer  view Christ and His cross?   (verse 24)

As central to his salvation…no cross, no salvation…..Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God….His death also shows the love of God.

b.  What does verse 25 tell us?

Man’s wisdom comes nowhere near God’s requirements

c.   How does man’s wisdom show up before a holy God?     ( verses 26-27;  Proverbs 9:10)

Unless it begins with fearing and KNOWING God, man has no wisdom AT ALL! Man’s knowledge of modern inventions is all given by God anyway….it is God’s technology, not man’s!

d.  What key has man’s wisdom and intellectualism taken away?     (Romans 1:21-22)

The key of the knowledge of God.

e.  What is man’s chief downfall that has no place before God?  (verse 29)

Man’s pride and glorying in himself.

f.   What is man to glory in?   (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

Not in himself or his achievements, but in God and all that He is and does.

g.  What does glorying in oneself (pride)  bring out?      (chapter 6:9-11a)

Selfishness, ego trips, boasting, impatience with others, arrogance.

h.   What does glorying in the Lord stimulate?     (Galations 5:22)

It stimulates the fruit of the Spirit… love, joy, peace, patience, joy, honesty, righteous living.

i.   What four things does God give to those who follow Christ?      (verse 30)

Wisdom, righteous living, separation from worldly and fleshly lusts, and salvation from sin…..wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.

j.  What is the conclusion of the whole matter?      (verse 31; Jeremiah 9:23-24)

Let us glory in the Lord and in all that He has done and is doing!

1 Corinthians   Two….(verses 1-16

1.       Verses  1-8                                             

a.   Did Paul find preaching easy?         (verses 1, 4; 2 Corinthians 11:6)

No, he didn’t seem to be a fluent speaker.

b.  What did Paul’s physical state and  appearance appear to be like?     (verses 3-4a)

He had some sort of affliction or disability that didn’t make it easy for him, but he didn’t let this put him off preaching.

1. c.      What did he feel the reason for this affliction was?    (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

So that God could work through his weakness…he couldn’t take any credit to himself or feel that it was his work.

d.   What did other people think about him?      (2 Corinthians 10:10)

He wasn’t much of a speaker! His letters may be powerful, but he’s not much to look at!

e.  What was Paul’s main aim in his preaching?  (verses 2 & 5)

To  make Christ known and God’s power in salvation

 f.  When Paul speaks of being “perfect” in verse 6, what do you think he means? 

He means one who is mature in the things of God.

g.  How would one become “perfect” or mature?  (Ephesians 4:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17)

The way to become mature in the things of God is to spend time in God’s Word, learning and knowing it and being corrected and reproved by it, being able to cope with life’s disappointments and teaching and being a good example to others.

h.   What is this “mystery” that Paul talks about?     ( verse  7;  Colossians 1:26-27)

It is the mystery of the Gospel, that Christ lives in ALL believers and gives them salvation from sin. It is a mystery that was hidden from the Old Testament believers, and is now revealed since the resurrection of Christ.

i.  When was this “mystery” (or God’s plan) first conceived? (1 Peter 1:20)

Before God even began to make the world or anything in it.

j. Who understands this “mystery” today?       (verse 8; chapter 1:22-23)

Only those who have come to the Lord….non believers think it is all a lot of rubbish.

k.  What does this show us today? 

Matthew 25:34……That God’s plan was all completed BEFORE He began to create the world and  man to live on it.

Ephesians 1:4….We were chosen in Christ  BEFORE the foundation of the world…..nothing has “just happened!”

John 3:16…. It proves that God IS LOVE to give His Son for the sin of the world.

It shows that Christ’s death is no afterthought to make things right AFTER they had gone wrong….it was all planned ahead of time.

2.       Verses  9-16                                                                                        

a.   What glimpses of heaven do we get in these verses?  (verse 9; Isaiah 64:4)

We are told that we wouldn’t understand now, even if we were told all about it, as it is a totally different dimension there to what we know here.

b.  What does Paul tell us in 2 Corinthians 12:4 about his own experience in Paradise?

That he was unable to describe it in words. In fact, God  hadn’t permitted him to even try as people wouldn’t understand it.

c.  When were these things put in place for God’s people?  (Matthew 25:34)

Before anything else was created….it was all in God’s plan for the people who would become His.

d.   What is the criteria for people to be able to enjoy these things?   (verse 9c)

It is for those who love God.

e.   Do you think that we will ever come to an end of discovering all the things that God has prepared for His people? (Psalm 16:11;  Ephesians 2:7)

Never! There will always be more things to learn and know about God’s kindness in Christ Jesus and it will never be exhausted.

f.  What is verse 9 a quotation from?       (Isaiah 64: 4)

The book of Isaiah in the Old Testament.

g.   Who has revealed these things to God’s people? (verse 10; Galatians 1:12)

The Holy Spirit.

h.  What did Christ say about this aspect of the Spirit’s work?  (John 16:13-14)

He said that the Spirit would reveal all these things to God’s people and show and guide them into all truth.

h.  How is it possible for a person to understand the things of God?   (verses 11-12 ; John 3:3)

It is only possible to a person who has been born again by the Spirit of God….otherwise a person is dead to things of God. The spiritual dimension of an unborn person doesn’t recognise God or His authority.

i.  What does an unbeliever think about the things of God?    (chapter  1:23b)

If they think about them at all, it is to say that it may be OK for someone else, but not for him personally. He can’t understand them and thinks it is all rubbish.

j.   How does a believer feel after hearing a particularly good message?     (Luke 24:32)

Uplifted and warmed in the heart.

k.  When does a believer receive the Holy Spirit ?  (Acts 10: 43-45)

At conversion, when they give themselves to God.

l.  What is the hallmark of a spiritual person? (1 Corinthians 14:37;  Galatians 5:14-26)

One who is walking in God’s ways of love, joy and  peace….these verses really cover it all and then it is also one who recognises that ALL of our Bible today is the inspired Word of God.

1 Corinthians   Three….(verses 1-23)

1.   Verses  1-8          

a.   What are the two conditions a Christian can be in?       (verse 1)

Christians are either unspiritual (carnal) or spiritual.

b.  What does Paul liken a “carnal” (unspiritual) Christian to?    (verse 1c-2)

He likens them to a baby being fed on milk…they are not able to eat meat (the deep things of God)

c.  What are the hall marks of an unspiritual (one who is not walking “in the Spirit”)  “baby” Christian?  (verse 3; Ephesians 4:14)

They can’t understand the deep things of the Lord and are easily led by wrong ideas; there will be squabbling, strife and divisions among them.

d.  What were the Corinthian believers doing?   (verse 4)

They were splitting into little cliques, each following a certain brother, thus making divisions between them

e.   Was there any division between what Paul taught and what Apollos taught?  (verse 6)

No, there was no difference! It was the same Gospel.

f.   What does Paul point out about his and Apollos’ work?     (verses 7-9; Luke 24:32)

They have sown the seed of the Word and tended the plants, but it is God Who brings the fruit to harvest time.

g.  What should we always remember about any Christian work that we may be involved in ?  (verse 9a)

It is God’s work, not ours!

h.  What are we to do as God’s sowers?    (verse 7)

Just sow the seed and leave the results to God.

2.   Verses   9-17  

a.  We have seen the picture of sowing seed…..what is the next illustration that {Paul uses of Christian work?   (verse 10)

That of a building.

b.   What is the foundation that we must build on?  (verse 11; Ephesians 2:20-22)

Jesus Christ is the chief Corner Stone with the apostles and the prophets tying in together.

c.   What does this tell us?     (John 1:1; 1 John 1:1-3)

Both Old and New Testaments, God’s entire Holy word is our foundation….there is no contradiction between God’s LIVING WORD and His WRITTEN WORD.

d.  What is being referred to in verse 12 ? 

The Christian has the foundation of Jesus Christ to build his life on and it mentions the different types of materials that our life produces to build with.

e.  What are verses 13-15 telling us? What is this “fire”?       (Hebrews 12:28-29; Revelation 3:18)

That what we do with our lives will have to pass the scrutiny of the blazing gaze of Jesus Christ in a day to come….if what we have done passes this “fire” test, we will receive a reward, but if it gets “burned”  in the process we will miss out on the reward but still get there.

f.  What does fire do to precious metals? How does this apply to our life? (1 Peter 1:7)

It refines it and the troubles and trials that we go through in life teach us to depend on the Lord and to “burn off” things that aren’t really important.

g.   What happens at the end to the anger, resentments and worldly ambitions and aspirations that a Christian might hang onto through life?       (verse 13)

It will all be burned off and he will be left with nothing but himself

h.  What will Christ present to EVERY believer regardless of what he has left?  ( Isaiah 61: 10; James 1:12; Revelation 7:9)

We will ALL receive a robe of righteousness and the crown of life.

i.  What is it possible to gain in addition to this?     (verse 12a; 1 Peter 1-4)

For those who are faithful in whatever the Lord has given them to do, will gain a crown of glory as well….that is the gold, silver and precious stones of a life well lived for the Lord.

j.  What is the next illustration of the believer that Paul uses?   (verses 16-17; Ephesians 2:19-22)

That believers are the temple of God.

k.  Who lives within each believer? (verse 16;  John 14:23; 2 Corinthians 6:16)

Christ and the Father as well as the Holy Spirit.

l.   How do we know that the Father is within us?  (Colossians 1:27b; 2 Timothy 1:14b)

If we can freely confess in all sincerity that Jesus Christ is the Son of God we know that we have the spirit of God within us, and if He is within, then we know that the Father and the Son also abide there.

m.  Does this knowledge depend on feelings?  (Romans 5:1-2; 1 John 4:13-16)

No! It is a fact that is accepted by faith…..God says it and I believe it!

n.  If our body is the temple of the Living God, how are we to treat it?    (verse 17; chapter 6:17-20)

We are not to abuse it in any way, either mentally (worry), physically (over-indulgence, too hard dieting or penance, tattooing and putting studs in) morally (immoral living or licentious partying etc)  but we are to treat our body sensibly and neither over decorate it or under-decorate it, making the best of what we are given.

2.   Verses   18-23                                            

a.  How is the believer to evaluate himself?     (Romans 12:3)

Sensibly, neither too much nor too little. It is better to err on the side of humility and let others raise you up….others can see the potential you have more clearly than you can see it yourself.

b.   How will the world evaluate the believer?    (verse 18; chapter 1:18-23)

As a bit of a fool….either harmless but foolish, or else hating the message and locking him up to shut him up.

c.   If we think we are great, who are we fooling?     (verses 19-20)

Only ourselves….others are not fooled and God most certainly isn’t deceived!

d.  What does the Lord think of all the world’s prizes, accolades and qualifications?     (Ecclesaistes 1:12-18) 

They are all foolishness and vain.

e.  What does the person at the top of their career find when they get there? (verse 20b)

It is empty and doesn’t bring happiness or fulfilment.

f.    What did King Solomon have to say about it all?    (Ecclesaistes 2:9-11)

“I’ve got everything that heart could wish for, and it still doesn’t satisfy….I have wealth, education, possessions and fame and it still doesn’t make me happy!”

g.   What is the one thing that the believer should be glorying in?  (Jeremiah 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 10:17-18)

He is to glory in the Lord and what He has done for him!

h.    Whose commendation is the believer to seek?   (verse 21, 23)

It is the Lord’s commendation that counts, not the one the world commends.

i.    Who does the believer belong to?      (verse 23)

Christ and God!

1 Corinthians   Four….(verses 1-21)

1.   Verses  1-8    

a. The Corinthian believers had been setting up Paul and Apollos as leaders to follow….how did they (Paul and Apollos) feel they should be regarded?  (verse 1)

As servants and stewards of Christ and of the teachings of God’s mystery, the Gospel.

b.  What is the prime necessity in a steward or servant?    (verse 2)

Faithfulness, honesty and steadfastness.

c.  Who did Paul feel was the only one qualified to judge him and his motives?  (verses 3-4; Romans 2:1-2)

He felt the Lord was the only one able to judge him.

d.   What did he feel about his own judgement of himself?     (verses 3-4; Psalm 19:12-14)

He felt he couldn’t trust his own judgement….just because he had a clear conscience didn’t necessarily mean he was in the right!

e.  We all know what we ought to be, and what we would like to be, but we don’t know if we really are like that!  How can we deal with this? How did David deal with this problem in himself?     (Psalm 26:1-2;   139:23-24)

He asked the Lord to search him out and to examine him.

f.  Why can we not trust our own judgement and evaluation of ourselves?  (Proverbs 30:20;   Jeremiah 17:9-10)

Because our heart (even though we are Christians) is still deceitful above all things and desperately wicked and we only believe what we want to believe…e.g. the adulterous person thinks they haven’t done any wrong!

g.   What is going to happen in the end?  (verse 5;   Matthew 25:21)

The Lord will show each person up under His light and will praise each person for what they have done well.

h.  What was the danger that these Christians were in?   (verses 5a, 6)

They were in danger of setting themselves judges of a “Pauline” party or “Apollos” Party thus making real divisions in the church and becoming full of pride in the process.

h.   What did Paul remind them (and us) of in verse 7? 

He reminded that their spiritual position was given to them by God….they hadn’t got there by their own efforts.

i.   How were the Corinthian believers feeling about themselves?     (verse 8a)

They were feeling very self satisfied and full of themselves! They felt they had everything they needed and had already arrived into God’s commendation far ahead of Paul; they didn’t need him to preach to them any more!

j.  What did Paul feel about their attitude?    (verse 8b)

He said he wished it were true, because then he would have arrived with them too!

2.   Verses 9-16

a.   How did Paul actually feel about himself and his position?    (verses 9-10)

He felt that he was on display before all creation, seen and unseen…..in his trials, being classed as a fool (for Christ’s sake) and the shame of being put in prison with criminals. Now the believers were getting at him too!

b.  What truth is brought out in verse 9 that we often don’t think about?

That angels are observing people constantly….what they do and how they react.

c.  What sorts of angels are there?     (1 Kings 22:19-22; Acts 8:7)

Both God’s angels (good) and Satan’s angels (bad).

d.  What do God’s angels do? Taking these verses (Hebrew 1:13-14; Psalm 34:7; Matthew 18:10) into consideration, what can we infer from them? 

That each person has a guardian angel to keep them from the power of the evil one and his angels.

e.  So therefore what is another reason to react in the right manner? (Job 1:6-11; Revelation 12:10b)

Because we can be either a good example (which will bring glory to God) or a bad example giving the evil angels an opportunity to point the finger and accuse us to God.

f.  How does Paul describe all this in Ephesians 6:12-13 and what can we do about it? 

He describes it as a spiritual warfare, and how we must take God’s armour to withstand it and stand firm against what is wrong. The armour is provided and we must use it.

g.  How did Paul feel the believers at Corinth thought of him?   (verse 10;  2 Corinthians 10:10)

He felt as though they thought he was a fool and despised him for it. They felt they were above him in their comfortable homes, while he was merely a prisoner.

h.  How did Paul react to their criticism?       (verses 12-13; Acts 18:1-4)

He kept himself by working at his trade; he said only good things to them; he suffered wrong and didn’t seek revenge….he really felt the shame and indignity they heaped upon him at times.

i.   What did Paul class himself as in verses 14-15?    

As a spiritual father to them….he really cared for and about them.

j.  What did Paul add to the statement in verse 16, in chapter 11:1? 

He said they were to follow him as he followed Christ.

k.  Could YOU say that to a younger Christian friend?  Do as I do?      (1 Tim 4:12-16)

We should each one be able to say that in such a way as to encourage others to follow the Lord. If we can’t say that, it is time we stopped and took stock of ourselves.

3.   Verses   17-21  

a.  Paul was in prison and unable to travel at this time….who did he send in his place to encourage the believers? What do we know about him?     (verse 17; Acts 16:1-2)

He sent Timothy, a young man he had befriended and who he had the utmost confidence in….he felt that Timothy was his son in the Lord.

b.   What else do we know about him?    (1 Timothy 4:12;   2 Timothy 1:5-6)

He was a young man full of faith, with a godly mother and grand-mother. Paul felt that he was a good example to other believers and encouraged him to continue to be that.

c.   What was Timothy to remind the Corinthian people about?        (verse 17b)

Paul’s teachings concerning the things of the Lord.

d.  What was Paul wanting to check out on these people?     (verses 14-16, 18; 1 Corinthians 1:11) 

He wanted to see if their lives matched their talk….he had heard these reports of what they were saying and doing and it disturbed him somewhat.

e.  What proves whether a person is a genuine believer? (verse 20)

By the way they live, not by what they say.

f.   What did Jesus Christ have to say about this sort of thing?      (Matthew 7:15-20)

That people can tell whether there is any :fruit in their lives or not.

g.   Would Paul gloss over the sin in these people when he saw them?      (verses 19-20;  2 Corinthians 10:10-11)

No, definitely not! He would straighten them up when he saw them if they didn’t do it themselves before he got there!

1 Corinthians   Five….(verses 1-13)

1.  Verses   1-13

a.  Read this chapter right through before beginning. What is the topic here?

Immoral living, and what to do about it.

b.  Is this topic relevant today? What would teenagers say about it?      

Yes, it IS relevant for today. Teenagers would probably respond by asking what was meant by immoral living when everyone does it all the time! For a lot of non-Christians it is a normal way of life, and they think there is no need to make a fuss about it or tell them not to do it!

c.   What was this particular action that was being condoned by the church?  (verse 1)

A man was living with his stepmother as husband and wife, and everyone knew about it.

d.  What did Paul say about their attitude in verse 2? 

He told them they were not the spiritual people that they thought they were! They were proud and presumptuous.

e.  What did  he say they were to do in verses 4-5?

They were to call a special meeting and publicly tell them it was not to continue, and they couldn’t allow them to fellowship with them unless that matter was corrected.

f.  What are the reasons for dealing like this with immorality in the church? (verses 6-7)

If it was allowed to continue, others would do the same….it is sin in the sight of God, and the believer is to live a holy, unblameable life in the sight of God and man. Also, it was to show that we are members of each other and what one does will affect all the others.

g.   What other sins are equally as bad as this one and were not to be practiced by believers?    (Verses 8, 11)

Malice and spitefulness, other immoral living, greed, idolatry, making trouble, being a drunkard, dishonesty and blackmailing.

h.   What is the aim of the believer to be?        (1 Peter 1:15-16)

To live a holy life before a holy God…..holy and without blame or shame.

i.  What about working with immoral people who are unbelievers?     (verse10-13) 

It is none of our business what they do…..we are not answerable for that, God will judge them.

j.  How severe is this separation to be? (verse 11)

The believer is not to socialise or fellowship  with people living like this, and they are not to be classed as part of the local church.

k.   What do we find that the Corinthian church did do about this matter?  (2 Corinthians 2:1-8,11;  7:8-14)

They did as Paul said….it also caused them to examine themselves and turn to God more than ever. They proved their love for God and for Paul in dealing with this problem in the correct manner.

l.   Were the people concerned to be kept out of fellowship for ever? (2 Corinthians 2:7)

No, when they showed repentance and separated, they were taken back.

m.   Is this sort of dealing with this thing still relevant for today?  (2 Corinthians 2:7-11)

Yes, sin must be dealt with and the problem be sorted out.

n.   What was Paul’s attitude when he was writing about this matter?      (2 Corinthians 2:4)

He wrote with many tears and sorrow to think that they could be doing such a thing.

o. What is the danger in lack of forgiveness in the face of repentance by those concerned?  (2 Corinthians 2:11)

Satan will get the advantage of an unforgiving person.

1 Corinthians   Six….(verses 1-20)

1.  Verses   1-20

a.  What was Paul’s concern in this passage?       (verses 1-8)

The fact that there was so little love among them, that they were taking each other to court before the unbelievers.

b.  What are we told in verses 2 & 3?      

That the saints will one day judge the earth and the angels.

c.   What do we know about this?     (verses 2-3; Revelation 2:26-27, 19:11-16)

Very little…..really only what we are told in these verses….we know that the ultimate Judge is the Son of God with all of the Father’s authority behind Him.

d.  If we have a dispute with another Christian, what is the Biblical way to deal with it?   (verses 5-6) 

To take the matter before other Christians, not those in the world.

e.  What is the best way to deal with the matter?  (verse 7)

To call it a loss cheerfully and not go after it; to forgive and forget.

f.  What sort of people CANNOT enter heaven?  Remember this is not Paul’s idea, this is what God says….  (verses 9-10)

The unrighteous….those who practice and live as immoral, idolatrous, being transvestites, homosexuals, thieves, greedy, slanderers, robbers or those addicted to drink or drugs.

g.  The Corinthian believers were once living in these ways….what made the difference?   (verse 11; 1 John 1:7b)

They confessed their evil way of life and were washed by the blood of Christ….they were forgiven and made clean by the power of the Holy Spirit.

h.   Do Christians now follow a set of rules to live by?     (verses 12-14; chapter 10:23; Psalm 37:3-6)

Not really, they can do as they like! But if a person delights in the Lord, they see there is no point in living as they used to, in fact they don’t WANT to! They are delivered from sinful habits and are walking in the new way of life; they have a purpose (pleasing God) and there is a new song in their mouth in praising God!!

i.  What keeps a Christian able to live an upright moral life?   (verses 15-18) 

By remembering that our bodies are now the home of the Spirit of God and we are to keep it holy and clean before God.

j.  Who does the Christian belong to? Why?  (verse 17; Romans 14:7-9; 1 Peter 1:18-19)

We belong to Christ because He bought us when He paid the price of sin on the cross.

k.  What is the Christian’s moral obligation now to God?     (verse 20;  Galations 2:20)

To glorify and praise Him with spirit, soul AND body. The old life is crucified with Christ and the new life is lived by faith in Him.

l.   What does 1 John 1:7b tell us?

When we feel ourselves slipping or have already slipped, we remember that the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son cleanses us from ALL sin.

1 Corinthians   Seven….(verses 1-40)

1.   Verses   1-17

a.  Read the whole chapter through….what is the general topic of it?

Married and single people and their responsibilities.

b.  What was God’s intention for marriage in the first place? ( Matthew 19:4-6) 

That the man and woman  become one in every way….one in mind, one spiritually as well as one in body.

c.   What is the wider picture of marriage? What is it a type of?     (Ephesians 5:23-25,  29-31)

Marriage is a picture of the union of Christ and His church….just as Christ is the Head of the church with it doing his will to please Him, so the husband is the head of the family, loving his wife the same way that Christ loves the church and the wife is to seek to please him and fit in with him. We can’t imagine Christ divorcing His church or leaving it to flounder while He goes off somewhere, so every time this happens in a marriage, it is breaking down the beautiful picture of Christ and his bride, the church.

d.  What is the Biblical concept of courtship?   (verse 1) 

To not touch each other until marriage and most certainly to avoid heavy petting sessions.

e.  What are verses 2-5 concerned about? 

About husband’s and wife’s sexual rights….neither are to withdraw from each other.

f.  What is the only Scriptural reason for refusing to have sex in marriage?   (verse 5) 

It is only to be done by mutual agreement for special prayer and seems to go along with fasting.

g. To have been a member of the Sanhedrin as he was before his conversion, Paul would have had to have been married. But what was Paul’s matrimonial state at this time?     (verse 8)

He did not have a wife, so we assume she must have died.

h.   What is verse 9 saying?

If you want to get married, go ahead! It is better to marry than be deprived of a mate and all that goes with it.

i.  What is God’s specific command to married people?      (Matthew 19:5-6)

Married people must leave their parents behind and make a complete new unit; no-one else is to come between them.

j.  What is added to this in verses 10-11?

They must not separate but must resolve their differences; if however, they DO separate, they are to remain unmarried or be reconciled.

k.   What about the case of either  husband or wife becoming a Christian and the other refusing to?     (verses 13-16; 1 Peter 3:1-2)

If the Christian partner lives a truly God-honouring life without judging the other, but still loving and respecting them, who knows but that they may be won by their Christian attitude! That possibility is always there while they remain husband and wife. But if the unbelieving partner packs up and leaves, then let them go. A Christian in this circumstance is not bound to a life of misery and persecution….God wants a peaceful home as a witness. Note that the Christian partner is not to be the one to leave.

2.  Verses   18-40

a.  What is the next topic that Paul deals with? This was a very real thing for those with a Jewish background…..   (verse 18a; Acts 15:1)

For the Jews it was a very important thing to be circumcised, and many of them made it a necessary rule for  salvation and godly growth and living.

b.  What importance does God put on it for Christians today?   (verses 18-19; Galatians 6:15)

It has nothing to do with being saved or lost….it is of no consequence any more. If a person is already circumcised before being saved, there is nothing to be done, and likewise if a person wasn’t done, it is completely irrelevant to their salvation.

c.  What sort of circumcision DOES God look for in a person?   (Deuteronomy 10:16; Colossians 2:11)

He looks for the circumcision of the heart…..that is the cutting away of everything that hinders fellowship with Him…stubbornness, resistance, rebellion.

d.  Should a Christian stick to the same job once they are a believer? (verse 20; Ephesians 4:28-30)          

Yes, unless it is somehow dishonouring to the Lord (e.g. sex industry or stealing). Whatever we don should be done to the best of our ability as to the Lord and we should not do or act in any way that would grieve the Holy Spirit.

e.  Perhaps your job now hinders your ability to attend church or ties you up too much for other Christian activities…what then?  (verse 21)

If you can change your job to give more freedom for this, then do so.

f.  What do we have to remember? Who is our real Master?     (verse 22-23;  Colossians 3 22:23-24)

Our Master is the Lord….He has bought us and we belong to Him. Our responsibility is to abide in Him and He will guide us as He sees fit; to do our work as to Him.

g.  How are we to regard what Paul has written concerning these things? And all the rest of his writings?   (1 Corinthians 14:37)

As the infallible word of God….he wrote as the Spirit of God guided him.

h.  What is he making quite clear in verses 10a, 12a, and 25?

He makes clear what is the specific commandment from the Lord and what was just his own opinion.

i   State briefly what this passage is all about…..    (verses 25-29)

Times were tough and single people only had themselves to worry about….they could pack up and move on quickly if they had to.

j.  Was that a valid reason for a married couple to separate?   (verse 27) 

No! But things would be harder for those with family responsibilities.

k.  What does he show in verses 32-34? 

That married people have obligations to their partners….single people had only to consider themselves when seeking the Lord’s guidance.

l.  Was this any bar to being married then?    (verse 36, 39b)

No! If a person wants to get married, fine provided they were marrying another believer.

m.   What were Paul’s own private thoughts on the matter?  (verse 40)

That a person would be better off to remain single!

n.   Can you think of any sphere where this would be relevant today?

It could be so in missionary work overseas where some types of work could not be done so easily by a married person as by a single one. For example, where a lot of itinerant work is done, or women’s work in some countries where it is more suited for a single lady. Any long term deputation work is easier for a single person, as there is less hassle, and less costs in travel and accommodation.

1 Corinthians   Eight….(verses 1-13)

1.  Verses   1-13  

a.  Read the chapter through in a modern version….what is the main theme being dealt with?

Don’t do anything that will stumble your weaker brother!

b.  What is the specific topic under discussion? What had they asked Paul?    (verse 1)

What do you think about eating food offered to idols? Is it OK to do it?

c.  What are the contrasts in verse 1-3?    

Head knowledge (knowing all the answers) and heart knowledge (showing love and consideration)

d.  What main fact does the Christian know about an idol?   (verse 4) 

That it is nothing but a lump of inanimate matter!

e.  What is the futility of worshipping an idol?  (verses 5-6)

There may be many of these idols around, but they are nothing…it is worshipping a “nothing”, or worse still, worshipping the demons that inhabit the “nothing”. Our God is a living God and His Son Jesus Christ is our Lord and Master.

f.  What does the mature Christian realise about idols?   (verse 6)

That there is only one true God, the rest are nothing.

g.   What were some of the weaker or newer Christians thinking when they regarded this temple food?  (verse 7)

They still thought of eating this food as being sinful and it hurt and stumbled them to see other Christians eating it in public.

h.   So what were the Christians to do, who thought it was OK ?   (verses 9-11)

Even though the Lord knew that in their hearts they knew it was only food and nothing more, they were not to do ANYTHING that might stumble a weaker believer or cause the ungodly to point the finger.

i.  What might be a parallel for us in today’s society?

Eating in a nightclub or having an “innocent” drink in a bar when there are other places to eat and drink in, or hanging around any place where known sin is openly practiced.

j.  Who are we really sinning against when we lack consideration for other believers? What was Paul told at his conversion?    (verse 12; Acts 9:1-5)

When we sin against our fellow Christians, we are really sinning against the Lord Jesus Christ…Paul heard the Voice from heaven saying that he was actually persecuting Him.

k.  So what criteria is a Christian to live his life by?  (verse 13)

Consideration and love for others

l. To what extent should we take this love and consideration for others to? (1 John 3:16)

Not just in this matter of not hurting their feelings or stumbling them, but by putting ourselves out for them to the extent of giving our lives for them!

m.  Why should we worry about other people’s feelings to this extent?   (John 13:34-35) 

So that others can see that we are following Christ….this sort of love shows that we are different.

1 Corinthians   Nine….(verses 1-27)

Read this chapter through in a modern version……

1.  Verses   1-18

a.  What were the Corinthians challenging Paul about?     (verses 1-3)

They were asking what his authority was to teach them these things anyway.

b.  What WAS Paul’s authority?       (verse 1)

He was an apostle; he had seen the Lord Jesus with his own eyes, and he was free to be called by God to do this work.

c.  What do you notice in most of the first verse of Paul’s letters?     (chapter 1;1; Romans 1:1)

That he says he was an apostle, called by God, or by the will of God.

d.  What was the actual proof of his calling?   (verse 2) 

They themselves! They had heard his preaching and come to know the Lord through him.

e.  What does it seem that the  Corinthians were complaining about?   (verse 11)

It seems they were treating Paul like a second rate citizen….probably complaining about some small cost to themselves.

f.  What does Paul then say about full time preachers?     (verses 7-11, 14)

That those who receive a spiritual blessing from their teaching should contribute to the upkeep of supplying this.

g.  Did Paul exercise this right of taking gifts for himself? How did he keep himself?   (verse 12b, 15; Acts18:3;20:34)

No, he didn’t. He did his job of tent making wherever he went to bring in a bit of living.

h.  Why did Paul want to remain independent?    (verses 16-23)

Because he didn’t want to feel obliged to anyone…he wanted to be free to come and go as he felt the Lord leading him.

i.  What were his feelings about this in verse 18? 

He wanted to be able to say that he had preached freely without charge wherever he went.

2.  Verses   19-27

a.  What was the paradox in Paul’s life?   (verses 19-23)

He was free from obligation in one sense, and yet in another he was obliged to all people to preach the gospel freely.

b.  How did he operate with people when he was with them?  Why?    (verses 20-23)

He listened to them, no matter who they were or whatever culture they were from,  he sympathised with them and he went along with their interests as much as he could so that they would then listen to his message.

c.    What does Paul liken the Christian life to in verses 24-26 ?

To an athlete in training for the Olympic games.

d.   What did he practice, like an athlete in training? (verses 24-26)

He practiced self control and self discipline so he would be worthy of the message he preached, and to keep himself spiritually fit

e.   In what ways can we practice self control to benefit our Christian life?   (verse 27; 2 Timothy 2:15)

In  putting time aside for the reading (or studying) the Bible and prayer each day. Just as we would feed our body with food, so we must feed our soul and spirit and treasure our time with the Lord.

f.    What is the warning in all this today?      (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

To continue in the ways we have been taught and to never slack up in our manner of life and our attitudes to the things of God.

g.   What does 1 Corinthians 10:12 tell us?

To not think we can cope because then we will fall!

1 Corinthians   Ten….(verses 1-33)

1.  Verses   1-10

a.  What are all these verses about?  (verses 1-10;  Exodus 13:21-22; 14:22;  16:15, 35)

How the people of Israel were taken out of Egypt and protected and provided for by the Lord.

b.  What did the cloud and the sea do to the people figuratively ?    (verses 1-2)

Baptised them…they were covered by the cloud and went down into the sea bed and out to the other side.

c.  What is water baptism  for the believer a picture of?     (Romans 6:3-5)

It is a picture of our old self and way of life being put to death, buried and raised again to walk the new life in Christ Jesus.

d.  What was the spiritual meat that the people ate?   (verses 3-4;  Exodus 16:15, 35) 

It was the manna that God provided supernaturally for them.

e.  What is  the “spiritual meat” that keeps a Christian going?  (John 6:31-35, 51)

It is believing in Jesus Christ and following Him and his ways….He is the Bread which gives eternal life and His word, the Bible keeps us going in the right way.

f.    What else do people need to keep going?  Where did Israel get their water from when there was none in the desert for them?      (verse 4; Exodus 17:3-6)

People need water…in the wilderness, they got it from the rock when Moses struck it with his stick.

g.    How does this illustrate the “water of life”  for us?        (John 4:14)

Jesus Christ gives the water of life to those who believe, but this only happened after He was “struck” by God on the cross for our sins.

h.  Why was God not pleased with Israel as they travelled?   (verse 5; Psalm 106:13, 24-25, 28-29)

They didn’t really trust God at all; they forgot His wonderful miracles, didn’t believe his promises and moaned and complained to each other. Worse still, they started to follow heathen idols.

……Also read these verses  in Psalm 106…   7,  13-15,  19-21,  34-38, 43                                         

i.  Why did God give us the record of Israel’s trip to Canaan?   (verses 6, 11)

As an example to us of what NOT to do!

j.  What did they basically do wrong ?     (Psalm 106: 13-21, 25)

Basically they disobeyed God all the way….their greatest sin was blatant disbelief and complaints, and forgetting what God had done for them.

c.  What were some of the specific sins they committed?     (verses 6-10)

Idolatry, refusing to go into the land, not destroying the heathen when told to, even human sacrifices to pagan idols, immorality and complaining.

l.  What is one sin in that list that we are all guilty of, and is  with these other “bad” sins?  (verse 10) 

“Murmurings”….the sin of complaining!

m.  What are we to remember about how God dealt with complainers then? How do you think He views complainers today?  (Numbers 21: 5-9)

God struck the complainers down then, and He feels just as strongly today about such people….it displeases Him.

2 .Verses 11-

a.     Why should we relate the things that happened to Israel then, to us today? (verse 11)

Because what happened to them is an example to us…. God does not change….what displeased him then, still displeases Him today!

b.    What remedy did God give to Israel at that time to stop dying?      (Numbers 21:8-9)

He told Moses to make a serpent of brass and put it on a pole, and then told the people to just look at it to stay alive.

c.  What was this a picture of in God’s eyes? How do we know this is really so and not just imagination?   (John 3:14-16)

Because Jesus Christ Himself mentioned this event, and how it represented His death on the cross for man’s sins; then all man needs to do is to look to Him to be saved. Too simple some people say! Yet no more simple than just looking at a brass serpent on a pole.

d.  What is the warning to us all in verse 12?

Pride comes before a fall! Don’t think you able to cope and are OK…be careful unless you fall like others.

e.  What is the comfort in verse 13 ?

That God won’t allow us to be tempted (or tested) beyond our strength….He will be with us and strengthen us to go through all trials and troubles. He might allow us to go to the edge, but will pull us back in His time.

f.  What good thing can come out of trials?     (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

They enable us to be a help and encouragement to others who are going through trials too…we can show that as God has helped us, so He can help them too.

g.  We know what the idolatry that is mentioned here is…worshipping idols….but what is a parallel for us today?     (verses 14-15)

Anything that takes God’s first place in our lives…could be business, house, hobbies or sport.

h.  What are we to do about this ?

Only do what is necessary in these things, and not allow them to rule our lives

i.  What is Paul explaining in verses 16-17?    

That the wine and bread of the communion service represents the blood and body of the Lord Jesus…when we take part in this we are showing that we are part of the body (unified) of Christ.

j.  What is the parallel in verse 18?

The priests who ate the food (meat and bread) which was offered to God as a sacrifice, were representing the altar which it was offered on….. they had taken in what God was offering and were strengthened by it. So as we eat the heavenly bread provided in Christ Jesus (His Word, the Bible) , we are strengthened spiritually.

3.  Verses   19-33……

a.  Christians know that idols are really nothing and that food offered to them isn’t contaminated, but how do the heathen regard this food?      (verses 19-20)

As being offered to placate the spirits (evil spirits), certainly not as being offered to the God of heaven.

b.  So what is Paul saying about this food offered to idols, for a Christian ?   (verses 20b-21)

That a person cannot take part in the Lord’s table (communion service) and also take part at Satan’s table.

c.  How then, is a Christian to view these things?     (verse 22)

The food itself is OK, but it is not OK for a Christian to eat it because it will displease the Lord and because of how others might see it.

d.  What is a modern parallel for us today?

We can do any of these things like going to dances, night clubs, get involved in worldly organisations and clubs and still be Christians, BUT it is not always a good idea to do so. The people we meet there will not build us up in the faith and may very well lead us astray.

e.  Why not ?  (23b)

Firstly for the effect it might have on other Christians, certainly the effect on the testimony of the church, and it will most certainly affect your walk with the Lord. Everything we get involved in should centre around the building up of oneself in the Lord, which will then spill over into the building up of others.

f.    What is verse 24 saying?

We are to consider what effect our actions might have on others.

g.  What is clearly shown in this passage?    (verses 27-29) 

That it is perfectly OK for a believer to go to a non-believer’s feast and eat whatever food is there UNLESS he has been specifically told that it was offered to idols first. Then he must not eat it because of  his Christian testimony.

h.  Why should our fun be spoilt by what another person might think? What is the criteria a Christian should be guided by?     (verse 31)

We should always ask ourselves in whatever we do….is God being glorified by this action of mine or does it discredit Him?

i.  Why should a Christian worry about what a non-Christian thinks?     (verses 32-33)

If a non Christian builds up a resistance, he will never be saved. We mustn’t do anything that will cause a person to turn away from God.

j.  How does John 15:5-6 tie in with this passage?

If a Christian is abiding in Christ, he will bear fruit and people can see he is a Christian, but if his testimony before others shows no fruit, people will rubbish him and the way he lives, and then his testimony is worthless. We MUST walk the talk otherwise people will class us as hypocrites!

1 Corinthians   Eleven….(verses 1-3)

1.  Verses   1-3

a.  Was Paul being presumptuous in saying what he does in verse 1?

No, he knew that he was following the Lord to the best of his ability, and that the Corinthians were not.

b. Should we also be able to say this to others? Are we living in such a way that we can be an example to others? What does God say about this?   (Leviticus 11:45-46; 1 Peter 1:13-16)

We should be able to say this; if we can’t, then we should take stock of ourselves. God expects His people to live holy lives because He is a holy God

c.   What gave him the authority to say this?      (1 Corinthians 4:15-17)

The fact that they had been converted through his preaching….he loved them as though he were their father.

d.   What was he able to commend them for?    (verse 2)

For remembering and doing the things he had told them to do.

e.  What does Paul now go on to teach?   (verse 3)

What God’s order for His people is to be.

d.  What IS God’s order for His people?      (verse 3; Genesis 3:16)

The man is to be the leader, head of the woman; the man’s head is Christ and God the Father is over all.

2.  Verses 4-16

e.   Because of this, what is a man NOT to do when he prays or preaches? Why not?   (verse 4)

He is not to wear anything on his head because it dishonours his Head

f.  Which head? Physical or spiritual?   (verse 3a)

His spiritual head, Christ.

g.   What about the woman? What is its parallel?     (verses 5-6)

A woman must cover her head when she prays or else it is as shameful as having a bald head.

h.   What “head” is she dishonouring by praying with an uncovered head?   (verses 3b, 5)

Her husband directly, and the Lord indirectly.
i.  What does a man represent? What does a woman represent? (verse 7)

A man represents the image and glory of God, while a woman represents the glory of man.

j.  What does God say about His glory? How does this fit this passage?    (Isaiah 42:8)

God says He will not share His glory with any other, therefore man’s glory (the woman) must be covered in His presence.

k.  Does this mean that the woman is inferior to the man?     (verses 8-9)

No! Neither can exist without the other! It is simply God’s order…..God, Christ, man, woman. Christ is not inferior to the Father, and neither is the woman inferior to the man.

l.  What else is watching the Christian’s attitudes and actions?    (Verses 10; Job 2:1-3;  Corinthians 4:9)

The angels, both good and bad ones including Satan,  are watching all that we do.

m.   What does this ruling go back to?        (Genesis 3:16c)

When Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, her punishment was to be put under her husband’s authority. The angels know this and this is what the head covering is a sign of to them.

n.  Because the angels are all watching us, what should our goal be?     (chapter 10: 31) 

We should always obey God  because this brings glory to Him.

o.  What does Paul wind up by saying?      (verse 16)

I have stated the facts, and there is nothing to be gained by arguing about it. This is the way it should be done!

3.  Verses   17-22

a.  There were still some things that Paul wanted to correct with these believers….what does he bring up again in verses 17-18?

The fact of the divisions among them.

b.  What was all this arguing and bickering among them  making obvious?  

It showed up those who were following the Lord and those who were causing problems.

c.   How does it seem that the church at Corinth was taking the Lord’s Supper (communion service)?     (verses 20-21)

It seems that they were mixing it up with a social party….some were hungry and making a meal of it, and others were even getting drunk!

d.  Where did Paul say they were to do their eating?      (verse 22)

At home before they went to the service, and not  do their eating at church.

4.  Verses   23-34

a.  Where did Paul get all this teaching about how the church should be conducted, from?   (verse 23)

He got it directly  from the Lord….these things were shown to him.

b.  Where did he get all the details about the Gospel and Christian living  from?   (chapter 15:3;  Galatians 1:11-12)

These things were made clear to him the same way, revealed to him by God

c.   When did these revelations come to him?    (Galatians 1: 15-17)

Soon after his conversion  he spent three years in the Arabian desert where he pondered his experiences of the Lord. There are other experiences that he only hinted at and could not speak of.

d.  What did Paul feel about preaching the Gospel? (chapter  9:16)

He felt compelled to….that was now his life’s work.

e.  Where did Paul get this teaching about the Lord’s supper from? He wasn’t with the other disciples when the Lord Jesus initiated it.    (verses 23-25)

It was given to him as a revelation by the Lord.

f.  How often are people to celebrate it?     (verse 26a)

No time frame is given, but it is to be often, not seldom.

1. g.     What is the prime purpose of the Lord’s supper?    (verse 26b)

It is to remind His people of His death in bringing their salvation.

h.   When is it to continue  to?        (verse 26c)

Until the Lord’s return from heaven to take His people to Himself.

i.  In what manner are people to partake of this supper? What is the warning here?   (verses 27-28) 

In a respectful and worthy manner….people are to examine themselves BEFORE they come together, and then take part. They are not to stay away unless they refuse to do this.

j.   What happens if a person takes part in communion just as a matter of ritual and not really understanding or meaning what they are doing? What is the result?      (verses 29-30)

They will bring God’s judgement on themselves, and will be weak and sickly in their Christian character.

k.  So what are Christians to do with their lives before they take part in the breaking of bread?     (verses 31-32)

They are to examine themselves, judge themselves (not the next person!) and put themselves right before God. Otherwise they will be chastened by God.

l.  How does Paul finish this section off? How is the church to be conducted? (verses 33-34; chapter  14:40)

People are not to race ahead of each other. They are to eat at home first so they aren’t hungry and then come together doing everything decently  and in the right manner.

1 Corinthians   Twelve….(verses 1-31)

1.  Verses   1-6

a.  What is the topic of this chapter?   (verse 1)

It is about spiritual gifts.

b.  What is the greatest gift that ALL believers are given?   (verses 2-3; Romans 6:23b)

The gift of believing that Jesus is Lord and thus receiving eternal life.

c.   Who does Paul say gives these gifts to people?    (verses 4-7)

It is the Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts.

d.  How can we determine whether a person is a true Christian or not? (verse 3b)

If a person says that Jesus Christ is Lord, that shows that he is a believer, but anyone who uses the name of Christ as a swear word, or curses Him definitely does not belong to Him ( even if they say they are a Christian!).

e. How can we tell (within a few minutes usually) if a new acquaintance is an unbeliever?       (James 3:10-12)

By the language they use….they usually let wrong words drop fairly quickly in their conversation.

f.  How can we see the Holy Spirit working in a group of believers?     (verses 5-7)

By the way each one fits into their slot of doing something for the benefit of the whole group.

g.    What do we see about the Trinity ( the Spirit, the Lord Jesus and God the Father) in verses 4-6?   

The Spirit gives the gifts and helps in the use of them; the Lord Jesus gives wisdom in the administration of them, and although there are different ways of doing things, God works in all these ways to do His work.

h.   What do we see about the ways that God worked with the prophets in the Old Testament ?     ( Hebrews 1:1)

God worked at various times and in different ways with each one.

i.  Thinking about this verse and about creation, what do we see in God’s workings?      

We see that He is the God of infinite variety….there is no limit to His variations of working….just think about the different types of animals and vegetation there are around the world.

j.   What do we see about God’s character in Malachi 3:6 and James 1:17?     

God’s character NEVER changes….He never changes His mind….His gifts to people may differ but He never changes!

2.  Verses   7-11

a.  What is the reason for these gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to people?   (verse 7)

It is because we are all different and can each add to the whole to build up and edify others in the local church body.

b.  What should be our  main aim? What is the one thing that God wants from people?   (Psalm 29:1-2; Isaiah 43:7)

God wants His people to glorify Him; He wants us to give Him the glory that is due to His Name.

c.   What is the greatest and first gift that every believer receives from God?     (Ephesians 2:8)

The gift of faith to believe.

d.  If all these spiritual gifts are given by God, how should we view our particular giftt? (Romans 12:3)

With humbleness of mind and the attitude of doing the best we can with what He has given us; most of all to use it before we lose it!

e.    What will eventually happen if we don’t use the talent that God has given us? (Matthew 25:25-29)

If we don’t use it, we will lose it! If we don’t exercise and develop the gift of faith that is offered to all men, the end is sad indeed. In the same way that muscles shrivel away with no use, so our spiritual gifts will do no-one any good if we don’t use them.

f.  Who decides which gift is to be given  to which person?     (verses 7-10)

It is the Holy Spirit who gives and can develop the gifts to each person.

g.  What is used as a picture of the church in these verses?     (verse 12)

The church is the body of Christ on earth and just as the body has many members with different functions, so the church is made up of many members to do different things.

h.  What binds the believers together into one body?   (verse 13)

It is the Holy Spirit who welds the believers together as one family, one body. We are baptised, covered by Him, at our conversion.

i.   What does Paul go  on to say about the body? (verses 14-26)   

Each member of the body has a different function and each needs the other to function properly. If one hurts, the rest hurts with it and tries to protect it.

j.    How does Paul  tie all this up as representing the church? (verses 27-30)

We are to respect and use each other’s gifts, and do our part without trying to do what the others can. No one person should do everything, or indeed, can!

k.    Are any gifts more important than the others?       (verses 24-25)

No, they are just different….even the person who sits in the pew is important because without them there would be no-one to preach to!

l.  What does verse 31 tell us?

Do the best with what you’ve got, and look for the best way to use all you have.

1 Corinthians   Thirteen….(verses 1-13)

1.  Verses   1-3

a.  What gift is Paul talking about in this chapter?

The gift of love for the Lord and for each other.

b.  We’ve all been given the gifts of faith and eternal life, what other gift are we to exercise?   (1 John 4:7,11)

The gift of loving each other.

c.  Why is love the best gift to have?   (1 Peter 4:8)

Because it covers a multitude of sins….people always overlook and cover up their loved ones’ shortcomings!

d.   What would a group of Christians be like without love?     (verse 1)

Just like an empty clanging drum; nothing more than a club.

e.  What use are faith and works without love? (verse 3)

None whatsoever; they are cold and harsh.

f.    How much should we love our Christian brothers and sisters? (1 John 3:16)

With the same love that Christ had for us….enough to die for them!

2.  Verses   4-8a

a.  We now come to a list of things that true love is and isn’t….there are sixteen aspects of love in these verses, eight positive and eight negative. What are the negative ones (things that love isn’t) ?  

It isn’t envious                                      It doesn’t seek the top positions

It isn’t proud or arrogant                                    It doesn’t behave loudly

It isn’t pushy                                         It doesn’t rejoice in others’ misfortunes.

It isn’t touchy                                        It doesn’t think bad things  about others

b. What are the positive ones (things that love is) ?  

It rejoices in the truth                            Bears all things (takes others troubles to heart)

It believes all things good                      It hopes all things (are going to be better!)

It endures all things                              It is extremely patient

It is kind                                               It never fails (always there to help)

c.   Who is the only person who ever exhibited these sixteen things to the max? (Galatians 2:20c)

Our Lord Jesus Christ.

d.    What does Matthew tell us about Christ’s character?      (Matthew 11:29)

Matthew tells us that He was meek and lowly in heart

e.    What does  John tell us?  John 10:11; 16:9-10)

He is the Good Shepherd who gave his life for the sheep, and that He loves us as the Father loves Him.

f.  What does 1 John 4:16 tell us?

God is love, tremendous and unfailing.

g.   What can we each say about Him and His love? (Ephesians 5:2)

That He loved ME enough to die for ME!

h.    Read verses 4-8a  substituting the name “Christ” for the word “Charity” (or love) …..     can you think of  anything that doesn’t agree with that?

No, it is exactly right!

i.   Read the same passage and put your own name in the place the word “Charity” (or love)? What does it make you feel like?

A worm! Falling far short of this standard!

j.  Christ is our example….what are we to do about it?   (1 Peter 2:21)

We are to follow his steps….to walk in love and walk as He walked.

3.  Verses   8-13

a.  What is the wonderful thing about love?

It never fails or lets down!

b.  What gifts are mentioned that will eventually pass away?   (verse 8)

Prophecies, language gifts, and even knowledge will vanish one day.

c.   What is the frustrating thing about these gifts?     (verse9-10)

We can only scratch the surface of these things…..we never completely master them as there is always more to learn!

d.  What are our accomplishments here on earth likened to? (verse 11)

As childish concepts and understandings.

e.    What are the wonderful prospects ahead for the believer? (verse 12)

That one day we will see things clearly and understand fully what the Lord has done for us and the wonderful things that He has prepared for His people. There will never be an end to this wonder and learning about Him!

f. What does the Psalmist tell us in Psalm 16:11 and 17:15 ?  

In God’s presence is fullness of joy and pleasures for evermore….His people will see His face in righteousness clearly and will be like Him, totally fulfilled and satisfied….there will be no end to it all!!

g. What are the three lasting Christian graces ?   (verse 13)

Faith, hope and love.

h.   Which is the greatest of all? Why?

Love is, because it gives and gives.

i.    How did God prove that He IS love?      (John 3:16)

God loved the world so much, that He GAVE His only beloved Son to die for man’s sins.

1 Corinthians   Fourteen….(verses 1-40)

1.  Verses   1-25

a.  What is Paul saying in verse 1?

I want you all to have love for each other, and a desire for spiritual gifts, but most of all that you preach the messages of God.

b.  What gift does it seem that most people were wanting to have and to do?   (verse 2; Acts 2:4)

They were wanting to be able to speak in a language that they hadn’t learned, like the disciples did at the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

c.   What should be the aim of anyone who speaks to others?     (verses 3-4)

That they are saying something that the other person can hear and understand.

d.  If someone is speaking in an unknown language, what should he do? (verse 5)

Make sure there is an interpreter so everyone can understand what is being said!

e.    What should the purpose be of any talk or preaching that is given in the church?  (verses 6-11)

To build up . encourage and give something to the hearers.

f.  What do verses 6-14 teach us?

That people can’t learn from someone who doesn’t speak plainly and clearly. It’s no use speaking in a language that no-one understands, nor is there any point in using long religious words that people aren’t familiar with!

g.  What do verses 14 and 15 seem to suggest and what is to be done about it? 

That it is possible to utter words that one doesn’t understand oneself let alone anyone else; it is better to only say that which has clear meaning to oneself and to everyone else listening.

h.  What was Paul’s criteria for himself?   (verses 18-19)

He would rather speak five words that are understood, rather than a whole speech that no-one could understand!

i.   What is Paul saying in verses 22-25?    

Foreign languages are for a sign for unbelievers hearing the word for the first time, showing that God is working. They are not to be used in the church services at all, otherwise people will think the group is mad! Everything that is said is to be understood so the hearers can be convicted of their sin and convinced of the truth.

2.  Verses   26-40

a.  What was the Corinthian’s way of conducting their services?     (verse 26)

The men would each contribute with a prayer, song or thought.

b.  What were each of these to contribute towards?      (verse 26c)

The edifying and building up of the church.

c.  What is the criteria for speaking in another language?   (verse 27)

That there be an interpreter so all can understand or else keep quiet.

d. What were the various speakers in the services to do?   (verses 29-31)

They were not to hold the floor and speak too long, but to give others a chance to say something helpful as well.

e.   What does verse 33 tell us?

That God does not bring or give confusion, but peace instead.

f.    What is clearly stated in verses 34-35?

Women are not to speak in a church service….it is considered shameful to do so. The man is to be the teacher and leader, not the woman; the woman’s role is to be the homemaker and encourager. There are plenty of other times and places that a woman can exercise her gifts.

g. What does Genesis 3:16 tell us that would bring forth this result?  

Since Eve had disobeyed God’s command (probably Adam’s as well) and eaten the fruit, her punishment was to be under her husband’s rule from then on…..and indirectly all her female descendants as well!

h. What does 1 Timothy 2:11-14 tell us that bears this out?  

It tells us the same thing and explains that it was because of Eve’s disobedience.

i.   Can we afford to ignore or explain away any of the things that Paul wrote? (verse 37)

No, because if we do, we are ignoring or explaining away the commands of the Lord.

j. Will a truly spiritual person dismiss some of Paul’s writings while accepting others?  (verses 37-38)   

No! If a person says we don’t have to take notice of certain of Paul’s writings, they are not spiritual at all, and may not even be a believer.

k. What is the criteria which everything is to be measured by?   (verse 40)  

Everything is to be measured by God’s Word, and all things are to be done decently and in order so that people may be built up and encouraged to praise and glorify God.

l.   What did the Berean people do in Acts 17:11 to check out Paul’s teachings?

They checked it all out against the Old Testament Scriptures and then believed what he said.

1 Corinthians   Fifteen….(verses 1-58)

1.  Verses   1-22

a.  What does receiving the Gospel do for a person?             (verses 1-2)

If they receive it and hold firmly to it, they will be saved from eternal punishment.

b.  What IS the Gospel?          (verses 3-4)

Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again, just as the Old Testament Scriptures foretold.

c.  What proof is there that that Jesus Christ  came back to life?   (verses 5-7; John 21:3-14)

He was seen by all His disciples, and then by 500 others…..He had interviews with Peter and James who were still alive and last of all He was seen by Paul Himself. Then there was the incident by the lake when Peter and the others went back fishing, and the Lord Jesus cooked them breakfast on the beach.

d.   How did Paul feel about being called an “Apostle”?    (verses 8-9)

He felt that he didn’t deserve the title because he had persecuted the church in his unconverted days.

e.   How did Paul know he was an  apostle?     (verse 8; Galatians 1: 1, 12-16)

Because he knew that God had called him to be one, and that he had personally seen the Lord Jesus at his conversion…..he knew that it was all only by the grace of God that he was one.

f.  What were some of the Corinthian believers saying about people being resurrected?  (verse 12)

That there was no such thing as resurrection.

g.  What is the pivotal point of the Gospel message? Would there be any point in it without this fact?     (verses 13-15)

The central point of the Gospel IS the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If He had not risen, there would be no gospel (good news) because we would be still dead in our sins. We could never look forwards to being resurrected ourselves.

h.  What does Paul say in verse 15?  

If there was no such thing as resurrection, then that meant that he had been preaching lies to them and that Christ was still dead!

i.   What did Christ Himself say about the resurrection in John 11:23-26?

He said, “I AM the resurrection and the life…..if you believe in Me, you will never die (spiritually), and you will be raised again one day.”

j.    What else did Paul say about being resurrected?     ( verse 16; John 11:23-24)

If there is no resurrection, then Christ Himself is not resurrected; because He WAS resurrected, then we know that we also will be.resurrected.

k. Why did Christ come to earth anyway? ( verses 20-22)

Because the Lord Jesus came back to life again, people can now be made alive spiritually…..if this were not so, the Gospel would only be deceiving people into thinking they were OK when they weren’t. Because Adam sinned and caused all people to die, so because Christ was raised again, all people who believe in Him will be too.

l. What is the central point of this whole argument?    (verses 17-19)

If Christ hasn’t risen, you’re not saved at all….if there is only hope in Christ while you’re alive, you have no eternal  hope after all, and are the most miserable of people for believing a lie!

2.  Verses   23-30

a.  Think back to the previous topic….what is Christ the first to do?            (verse 23)

He was the first to be raised again to life, to be resurrected.

b.  This next  part is very hard to understand…it is very easy to speculate about these things. But let’s keep to what is said here……who are the next to be raised from the dead? What about those who have been cremated and those who were drowned and bodies never found? When will this happen?  (verses 24-30;  Revelation 20:13)

Believers are the next to be resurrected, and this will happen when Christ comes back for them. We don’t know how it will happen, all we know is that it will.

c.  What does Christ do at the end of time?   (verses 24-25)

He comes for His people and then puts away all that is wrong. He then delivers His kingdom to His Father.

d.   What is the last enemy to be destroyed? What happens to it, and what is it called?     (verse 26; Revelation 20:14)    

Death is the last enemy to be destroyed…..it is thrown into the lake of fire and this is called the “second death”.

e.   Christ has thrown the last enemy away and handed His kingdom over to the Father …..what does Philippians 2:9 tell us that the Father has done for Christ?    

That God has exalted Him and given Him a greater and higher Name than anyone else.

f.  What will people do when they are faced with this One whose name they have used in cursing and oaths (or even as a light swear word in ordinary conversation)?   What will this result in?    ( Philippians 2:10-11)

They will fall on their knees before Him and confess His full title “Lord Jesus Christ”,  and they will do this with their full understanding of all the ramifications of having used His name so lightly and carelessly, but it will be too late to make any difference to their end fate.

g.   What do we see in verse 28?    

Everything is subdued under the Son and then He submits to the Father. God as the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)  is then over all things.

h.   When was all this planned?     (2 Timothy 1:9-10)   

It is all part of God’s eternal plan from before the beginning of time, and is still being worked out.

i.  Read these verses in a modern version………..  this is the only reference in the Bible to people being baptised for the dead, but that is not the main point of Paul writing this….what is?  (verses 29-30)

The main point is, that if there is no resurrection, it is pointless and futile for him to continue risking his life every time he preached!

3.  Verses 35- 50

a.     What question does Paul address here?  What illustration does he use?  ( verses 35-50)

If there IS a resurrection what sort of body will people have? Paul goes on to show that there are all sorts of different bodies suited for different conditions, and so in the eternal state, we will have an eternal body, a spiritual one suited to the conditions in heaven

a.  How does Paul explain these verses?   (verses 35-38)

That every seed that is sown comes up in a different form to the that which it goes into the ground and every creature and thing that God has created has its own unique type of body, whether it is on earth or in heaven. Each thing is specifically created to suit its environment, so of course we will all be different then to what we are now.  Just look at the space suits that people have to wear when out in space….we wouldn’t want to be wearing those bulky things in eternity!!!

b.  What do we hear the evolutionists say about animals that live in specific areas? How do they explain it?  

They say that they have “evolved” to suit their environment.

c.   Does this theory give any credit to a designer? Where does it lead to?    

It gives no credit to God whatsoever, and because of this they are not accountable to a Creator who might have made them.

d.  What does Romans 1:19-22 tell us about people who hold the theory of evolution?

That they are utter fools in the middle of their so-called wise explanations!

e.    What were the Corinthians asking in relation to the resurrection? (verse 35)

What will we be like when we are resurrected?

f.  What is Paul saying in verses 42-44?    

That just as we have earthly bodies on earth particularly suited to life here, so in heaven we will have heavenly bodies suited to life there!

g.  What do we know for sure about our bodies in heaven?   (Matthew 22:30; Revelation 21:4-5a)

They will be eternal bodies that will not have any aches or pains and will not know sorrow or tears. They will be sexless, there are no male and females in heaven, but all will be like the angels. Everything about our bodies will be different, as they will be made specifically to be suited to life in heaven! They will be spiritual bodies (supernatural!)

h.  What illustration of this does Paul give in verses 36-38?  

That of a seed that is planted and then grows up looking very different to the seed that went into the ground!

i.   What other illustration in nature can you think of that has a similar principle?

What about the butterfly changing from a caterpillar to a winged creature able to fly far above it’s original habitat? Moths are the same. Then there is the tadpole with a long tale and no legs that grows into a frog that can hop great heights and live out of the water.

j.    What sort of things did Jesus do after his resurrection that was different to before? (Luke 24: 30-31, 36)

He could vanish out of people’s sight instantly, and then appear just as suddenly when all the doors were locked!

k.    In what ways was He still the same as before?   (Luke 24:39-43)

He still had a body that could be felt (it wasn’t ghostly or just an apparition) and He still ate food as they did.

4.  Verses   45-58

a.  What is Paul contrasting in these verses here?   (verses 45-50)

He is showing the contrasts between Adam (the first man) and Christ (the second man)

b.  What are these contrasts?  

Adam was the first man                         Christ is the second man

Adam was a natural man                       Christ is the Spirit Man

Adam was made from dust                    Christ was never made….He always has been

Adam came from earth                          Christ came from heaven

Adam sinned and disobeyed                  Christ is sinless….He never sinned

Adam passed sin on to all people           Christ died to take away sin from all people

Adam brought death                              Christ brought life

c.   What does a person  have to become to inherit God’s Kingdom?    (verse 46)

He has to become a spiritual person….a “natural”  person cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.

d.  As far as we are concerned here and now, what has to happen?   (verse 46; John 3:3-6)

We are born naturally, but we have to be born again spiritually.

e.    Being “born again” does not happen automatically…..it has to be a conscious act of the mind…..how does it come about?                (John 3: 16, 36a)

A person is “born again” by believing in Jesus Christ who came into the world to save sinners.

f.  What is entailed in this believing business?     (Romans 10:9-10, 13)

Believing is more than just believing with your  mind. It starts off with that and then we have to put it into practice in our heart, attitude and actions. We must turn to God and repent of our sinful ways, and then leave them  behind. Then we find that we have new desires, thoughts and ways.

g.  Why is it that flesh and blood cannot inherit God’s kingdom?   (verse 50)

Because God’s kingdom is a spiritual kingdom and “natural” person cannot even begin to understand what it is all about….who wants to hang onto this old body with all its aches and pains! It is an everlasting kingdom and our bodies age and eventually die….God’s kingdom has no death or corruption in it.

h.   What wonderful truth is in verse 51?  

Christians won’t all go through death, but their bodies will be changed when Christ comes.

i.  There is much speculation about  how and when this will happen, and we won’t go into that; what do the following verses tell us?        (verse 52; Revelation 10:6c-7)

They tell us that it will be when the last trumpet from heaven sounds that Christ will come back for His people.

j.   How long will this process take?     (verses 51b-52a)

In the blink of an eye…1/25 of a second!

d.  What happens to death at that time?        (verse 53-56)

Physical death is finished for ever….it is swallowed up in the victory of Christ’s return.

k.   What about sin?                (verses 55-56)

It is completely finished for the believer, along with our earthly bodies.

l  In the light of this knowledge, what should the believer’s attitude be now?    (verses 57-58)

We are to be thankful for this victory, and steadfast and unmovable in our faith, and continue in the work that the Lord has given us to do….we  know it is not in vain even though at times we get weary of doing it!

m.  What can we say to the Lord for all that is shown us in this chapter?   (verse 57)

Thanks be to God for his wonderful works and the victory that He gives us through His son, Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians   Sixteen….(verses 1-24)

1.  Verses   1-4

a.  What is one of the things that God expects His people to do?   (verses 1-2)

To give generously to others as they are able.

b.  How often does Paul suggest this should be done?   (verse 2)

Every week on the first day. (our Sunday)

c.   What are the characteristics of the givers to be?     (2 Corinthians 8:4-5, 12)

They are to give themselves to the Lord first….they must belong to Him, and then give their money cheerfully and willingly, not because of some rule or because the HAVE to!

d.  What do we see about the people of Israel when it came to supplying materials for the Tabernacle to be built?        (Exodus 35:21-22)

They gave freely and willingly.

e.    Who were the Corinthian people sending their gift to?     (verse 3)

The poor Christians at Jerusalem.

f.  What were Paul’s plans?   (verses 5-8)

He wanted to visit them again, the next time he went to Macedonia.

g.  Where was he working in the meantime?   (verse 8)

He said he would stay at Ephesus until Pentecost because there was still much to be done there.

2.  Verses   10-24

a.  What was Paul saying about Timothy?      (verse 10)

That he was doing the work of the Lord as he (Paul) was doing.

b.  Why do you think that they might have despised Timothy?       (1 Timothy 4:1-3)

Because he was still only a young man (he might have looked even younger than he was!)

c.   How were they to regard Timothy?        (verse 11)

With  respect and helpfulness.

d.    Who else did Paul want to visit the Corinthians? Could he?    (verse 12)

Paul wanted Apollos to  go this trip, but he couldn’t make it, and said that he would go later on.

e.  What sort of preacher was Apollos?     (Acts 18:24, 28)

He was an eloquent speaker and a powerful preacher, and would be a good help to the Christians.

f.  What are Paul’s last instructions to the Corinthians?   (verses 13-14)

That they would be on guard against evil, and hold fast to the truth!  That they would always act in love and help any visiting speakers.

g.    What was their attitude to be towards their visiting speakers?  (verse 16;  1 John 4:1-3)

They were to listen to them, test their message against the Scriptures and if right, they were to follow their teachings.

h.    What was the purpose of the visitors to be?        (verses 17-18)

They were to build up the believers, encourage and refresh them in their faith.

i.   What did these three men in verse 17 do for Paul personally?    

They refreshed and encouraged him by their presence.

j.  Read verse 22 in a modern version first. (The word “Maranatha” means “The Lord is coming”)   How did Paul regard anyone who preached that the people could be saved another way? (Galatians 1:8-9)

He was very stern about this….He said they would be cursed by God.