Were you raised in a permissive environment or in a strict, but forgiving, one? Give an example.
DIG:
How is drinking the cup of thanksgiving a participation in the blood of Christ? How is breaking the bread a participation in the body of Christ?
Why does Paul mention eating the Old Testament sacrifices (1 Corinthians 10:18) in this context?
When you partake in the body and blood of Christ during Communion, what does it mean to you?
How have you been involved in something that God would consider idolatry?
In what ways is a Christian free (1 Corinthians 10:23-24)? How do you exercise your freedom in Christ?
In 1 Corinthians 10:24, Paul says, "Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others." How can you receive the love and care you need if you live by that verse?
REFLECT:
Is there anything you do that does not bother your conscience but might bother the conscience of someone else? Explain.
Verses 27-33 describe what a believer should do in a relationship with an unbeliever. Do Paul's instructions sound hypocritical? Do you act differently around Christians and non-Christians? How come?
Other Resources:
Imitating Jesuswe talk about the perfect example of Jesus and how He is: forgiving, peaceful, a teacher, selfless, and obedient.1 Corinthians 11
In verses 1-5, Paul asserts that the baptism and spiritual food and drink of the Israelites did not guarantee their protection from God's judgment. What do you tend to look to as your guarantee from God's judgment?
In verses 6-10, what four things did the Israelites do that resulted in God's judgment?
Which of these four "examples" are you most susceptible to doing?
If you think you've "got it together," why do you become vulnerable (1 Corinthians 10:12)?
REFLECT:
What helps satisfy your urges before they grow into temptations and sin?
How can the promises in 1 Corinthians 10:13 help you in your spiritual battles?
How can being in this group help you stand up to temptations?
Describe a time when you were overqualified for a particular job. Describe a time when you felt underqualified.
Describe a volunteer position you held that was especially fulfilling.
DIG:
Why would some of the Corinthians try and shed doubt on Paul's authority as an apostle?
What is your response when you hear a message from God (i.e., a Bible teacher, a sermon, a wise word from a Christian friend) that you don't want to hear?
Some of the rights apostles could claim included receiving monetary payment, bringing a wife along, and eating and drinking with freedom. What was gained by Paul denying himself these rights?
How do you reconcile 1 Corinthians 8:24 and the principle of integrity with Paul's practice in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23?
Have you ever denied yourself of any basic rights for the sake of the Gospel? Explain your answer.
In 1 Corinthians 9:16-18, Paul refers to his deep passion for preaching the Gospel. What is your passion when it comes to living for God?
REFLECT:
Please reflect on 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. What group of people are you especially aware of who need God's love? The poor? The homeless? Homosexuals? Those in nursing homes? Troubled youngsters? What barriers are there between you and these groups? What "rights" would you be willing to discard to love them?
Paul summarizes this passage in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 by emphasizing the importance of discipline in the Christian life (discipline which includes sacrificing personal rights and comforts for the sake of others). How would you describe your "Gospel readiness" training program? (a) I haven't found the gym; (b) I'm not sure I'm ready to make the necessary sacrifices; (c) I'm ready anytime, if only I had a team of people to train with me; (d) I've run the race and I'm exhausted; (e) I'm raring to go!
Why would eating food sacrificed to idols be difficult for some people?
How is it that what is not sin for one group is sin for another? What general principle is Paul applying here (1 Corinthians 8:9)?
Some of the Corinthian Christians knew that food sacrificed to idols was just that, food. What could those people have done to help those who were not comfortable with eating food sacrificed to idols?
In 1 Corinthians 8:2, Paul points out that if you are focused on what you know, you are likely to exclude empathy and concern for others. Do you ever get focused on knowing something about God at the expense of being known by God (1 Corinthians 8:3)? Explain.
What might hinder you from loving new Christians or those believers who do not know something you know?
REFLECT:
Where in your experience is one person's "freedom" another person's "stumbling block"? Alcohol? Certain styles of clothes? Dance? Music? Lifestyle? Political Issues?
Have you done anything lately to wound the conscience of a fellow believer (1 Corinthians 8:12)? How is this sinning against Christ?
Why will those who marry "face many troubles" in life (1 Corinthians 7:28)?
What concerns do those who are married have that singles do not?
How does Paul's advice to the married (1 Corinthians 7:29) relate to his teaching in Ephesians 5:21-32?
Paul presents singleness as an option some should consider. What reasons does he give?
Whether people marry or not, what is the overriding issue here?
REFLECT:
How can an unmarried person find emotional fulfillment and intimacy if they have chosen to remain single in order to be more fully devoted to the Lord?
A close look at the Epistles reveals meaningful and touching relationships among believers. Do we expect marriage to bring the kind of intimacy and fulfillment that God intended the church to bring?
Is singleness more of a calling or a choice? What role does God play? How do you feel about your role?
8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to
stay unmarried, as I do. 9 But
if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to
marry than to burn with passion.
Concerning the Unmarried
25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the
Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is
trustworthy. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is
good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you
pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a
commitment? Do not look for a wife. 28 But if you
do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not
sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to
spare you this.
29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is
that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if
they do not;30 those who mourn, as if they did not;
those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it
were not theirs to keep;31 those who use the things of
the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is
passing away.
32 I would like you to be free from
concern. An unmarried man
is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord.33 But a married man is
concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—34 and his interests are divided. An
unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to
be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is
concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.35 I am saying this for your own good, not
to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in
undivided devotion to the Lord.
36 If anyone is worried that he might
not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions
are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants.
He is not sinning. They should get married.37 But the man who has settled
the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his
own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also
does the right thing.38 So then, he who marries the
virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.
Summarize the main theme/story: Describe the events of the story
in your own words.
· Review and retell
the story.
Reflections for applications:
v1 Corinthians 7:8, 25-31
oYour calling is not to find
your soul mate and settle down; it is to find God and pursue Him.
v1 Corinthians 7:32-35
oYou can honor God in marriage, but
you don’t need to be married to honor God.
v1 Corinthians 7:36-38
oMyth #1 – “I need marriage to be
complete”
oMyth #2 – “My current relational situation
is my status.”
oBe faithful to God wherever you
are.
Digging Questions:
·How
are your relationships?
·What do these biblical texts tell you about God and His nature?
·What is God calling us to do?
Take Away Challenges
·What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will
you apply it to your life this week?
·Whom do you know who needs to hear this?
·What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What
beliefs, thoughts or actions need to be addressed or changed?
Are you more like Garfield ("I hate getting up") or Odie ("Life is fun, fun, fun!")?
If married, tell your "love story." How did you meet? What attracted you? If single, share what you know about your parents' love story.
DIG:
What do verses 3-5 tell you about the role of sex in marriage? Did God create sex to be merely a physical act or a time of mutual edification? 2. What do verses 5 and 9 say about the human body and sexuality?
What obligation does a believing spouse have to an unbelieving mate? What are the limits to this obligation?
What does it mean for an unbeliever to be "sanctified" by their believing spouse (1 Corinthians 7:12-14; see Romans 15:15-16)?
How do verses 12-14 encourage someone who is married to an unbeliever regarding his or her spouse's salvation and that of their children?
In verses 17-24, Paul is saying that Christians should not use their new life in Christ to climb the social ladder or be someone they are not. Have you ever been tempted to do this? What does someone stand to lose by doing this?
Is Paul saying in these verses that a person should not set goals for him or herself?
REFLECT:
Some Corinthian Christians considered sex with their marital partners impure or unspiritual. How have your ideas of sex been skewed? How do you need God's help?
What questions do you have about these verses? Where do you feel a special need for God's wisdom and power as you seek to "live in peace" (1 Corinthians 7:15)?
1
CORINTHIANS 7
Paul
talks about marriage.
I.
Marriage—Some
General Instructions
(7:1–2, 7–9, 17–24, 29–35)
A.
The argument (7:1–2, 7–9, 32–35): Is it better to be
married than not to be married?
1.
The advantages of marriage (7:2, 7, 9)
a.
It helps prevent immoral actions and attitudes (7:2, 9).
b.
It is God’s will for many people to marry (7:7).
2.
The advantages of remaining single (7:1, 8, 32–35): For the
most part, a single person is free to devote all his or her attention
to the work of the Lord, having no need to share time with a spouse
or children.
B.
The answer (7:17–24, 29–31): Which course is the best? It
depends totally on God’s perfect plan for each believer.
1.
God’s will must govern any decisions concerning marriage
(7:17).
2.
Pleasing God is the supreme objective (7:18–19).
3.
We are not our own but have been bought and paid for by Christ
(7:20–24).
4.
Even if married, Christ must occupy first place in our life
(7:29–31).
II.
Marriage—Some
Specific Individuals:
(7:3–6, 10–16, 25–28, 36–40): Paul now addresses four groups.
A.
Saved couples (7:3–6, 10–11)
1.
Both are to submit their bodies to each other (7:3–4).
2.
Both must agree if physical intimacy is set aside for a while to
facilitate prayer and fasting (7:5–6).
3.
Both must strive to stay together and not divorce (7:10–11).
B.
Spiritually mixed couples (7:12–16)
1.
The saved spouse should continue living with the unsaved spouse if
possible (7:12–13).
2.
This action may result in the salvation of the unsaved spouse
(7:14).
3.
The saved spouse should allow the unsaved spouse to depart if he
or she insists on it (7:15–16).
C.
Virgins (7:25–28, 36–38): Paul advises the unmarried not
to rush into marriage.
D.
A widow (7:39–40): She is free to marry another believer.
7 Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Summarize the main story: Describe the events of the story in your own words.
Review and retell the story.
Reflections for applications:
1 Corinthians 7:1-7 (Submission)
oThey evidently thought that abstaining from sex – even in marriage– showed new depths of personal holiness.
o Wives, you don’t have authority over your body.
oHusbands, you don’t have authority over your body.
oEphesians 5:21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
oMutual submission is foundational to a faithful marriage.
1 Corinthians 7:10-16
oMarriage is a life-long commitment.
oMatthew 19:4-6 4“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
o Every husband and wife should relentlessly pursue oneness and permanence in marriage.
oEverything Paul says about marriage is about giving, not receiving.
Application points:
o Happiness is the foundational part of marriage.
Pour into your marriage.
oWhat are you contributing to your marriage right now?
Digging Questions:
How are your relationships?
What do these biblical texts tell you about God and His nature?
What is God calling us to do?
Take Away Challenges
What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?
Whom do you know who needs to hear this?
What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts or actions need to be addressed or changed?
