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Reading Guide
1 Corinthians
November 10-16
Background: Corinth was a major port city in Greece, a big economic center, and had many temples to Greek and Roman gods. Paul’s first time in Corinth is described in Acts 18:1-18. He stayed there for a year and a half preaching and teaching. About two years after Paul left Corinth he heard about problems in the church so he wrote the letter to address those problems. He wrote the letter while he was in Ephesus.
Theme: Learning to think about every area of life through the lens of the Gospel: relationships, family, community, work.
The letter consists of an introduction and prayer, five sections, and final greetings.Each of the five sections deals with a problem in the church at Corinth.
Paul’s approach to the problems:
Define the problem
Apply the gospel to the problem
Introduction and prayer - 1:1-9
Chapters 1-4 Divisions - A reason for unity
What is the problem? How does Paul use the gospel of Jesus to address the problem?
Who is at the center? Who is the leader?
Food for thought: popularity, humility, servanthood
Chapters 5-7 Sex - Motivation for sexual integrity
What is the problem? How does Paul use the gospel of Jesus to address the problem?
What is “freedom” from a Christian perspective?
Our bodies are being redeemed by Jesus now and they will be resurrected in the future. What does this have to do with sexual conduct?
Chapters 8-10 Food
What is the problem? How does Paul use the gospel of Jesus to address the problem?
What particular food is the issue here? Why?
Paul describes two different scenarios here that seem to be in tension.
What core principle defines what we eat and when we eat it?
Chapters 11-14 The Gathering - Distraction vs order
What is the problem? How does Paul use the gospel of Jesus to address the problem?
How does the description of the parts of the body fit into the discussion about order in the gathering?
What core principle defines how we should conduct ourselves in the gathering?
Chapter 15 The Resurrection - Victory over Death
What is the problem? How does Paul use the gospel of Jesus to address the problem?
What was the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection?
What does the resurrection of Jesus do for us?
Chapter 16 Greetings and prayer