1 Corinthians 4:1-13 = April 3

 1 Corinthians 4:1-13

OPEN:

• What is the most menial job you ever had? What did you like or dislike about it? 
• Who has been a parent figure in your life, besides your parents?

DIG:

• Paul, when discussing judging himself, claims that even his conscience is unreliable (1 Corinthians 4:3-4). Has your conscience ever differed with God's will for you? What happened?
• How do you feel about the Lord "bringing to light" what is hidden and exposing the motives of our hearts (1 Corinthians 4:5)? How can we live so that what is revealed will be less surprising and embarrassing? 
• Corinthian factions judged one another by the reputation of the leader they followed. What then does Paul mean by the proverb in 1 Corinthians 4:6? How should they apply it? 
• Read 1 Corinthians 4:7. What do you have that you did not receive from God? Of everything God has given you, what do you tend to take credit for yourself? 
• Paul tells the Corinthians to imitate his way of life. How does this square with not following one leader or another?

REFLECT:

• How would Paul respond to the phrase: "God wants you to be happy, healthy, and successful"? 
• In 1 Corinthians 4:8-13, Paul rather sarcastically compares his situation with the Corinthians', who have a mistaken idea of wisdom and power. Would you characterize your Christian life as more like the Corinthians' or Paul's? Why? 
• A role model or mentor is someone you want to emulate. Who has fulfilled these roles in your life? In what ways do you still feel the need? 
• Reflecting honestly on 1 Corinthians 4:20, is your Christian life more a matter of talk or of power?

Other Resources:

Persecution - 1 Corinthians 4

CRITICISM IS DANGEROUS

 “It is a very small thing that I should be judged by you.” 1 Corinthians 4:3

Paul writes, “With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you… It is the Lord who judges me.” (1 Corinthians 4:3–4) Can you imagine viewing criticism as a very small thing? Or being liberated from the need to impress people; your self-esteem no longer dependent on someone noticing how successful, smart, or attractive you are?

Think what it would be like to feel genuine love for someone who expresses their disapproval of you. Is such a life even possible? With God’s help, yes! One deacon says: “Years ago I wanted to lead a certain ministry. When I wasn’t chosen, I became angry. Of course, I didn’t show it. That’s not to say I didn’t love God. I just wanted to serve me more than Him! By saying no, God was correcting an attitude that would destroy any real ministry I might have later. When you represent God so visibly, it’s nearly impossible for anyone to detect that you’re a fake…except God.”

Ever hear of approval addiction? Its symptoms include living in fear of what others think of you; being easily hurt by what they say; a nagging sense that you aren’t good enough; and constantly trying to impress important people. And like all addicts, we’ll go to any lengths for a fix.

For many of us, our daily preoccupations suggest we belong more to the world than to God. Even the mildest criticism makes us depressed and apt to react in anger; a little praise can lift our spirits. Like small boats adrift on a huge ocean, we’re completely at the mercy of the waves.

Thought of the Day: Is this an issue you need to pray about today?