1st Corinthians Series Discussion Questions

Each book in the Bible has a unique context, history, culture, and "personality". Why is it important to study these things to better understand what the book actually has to say?
How relatable do you feel 1 Corinthians is?
What is significant about P46 and what it reveals to us about Paul's writings?
What does it mean to rest in the authority of the Word of God? What kind of relationship do you have with authority?
What was the culture of Corinth and what do think it must have been like to become a Christian in that environment and start a movement in a city like that?
What similarities do you feel with this context?
What names stood out to you in the history of this church and how did they help the people of the church mature in their faith? Who has stepped into your spiritual timeline?
This book can be broken down into five sections:
Finding your identity in Christ alone
Sexual ethics formed by the gospel
Setting aside opinions for unity through the gospel
Finding order in the church to centralize the gospel
And , the importance of the resurrection.
How do these sections feel needed and relatable as someone living in a 21st century community of faith in the Pacific Northwest?

When have you lost focus in an important area of life? In School, Work, Relationships, or recreation. Is there a time when your lack of focus yielded frustration or apathy?
What did it mean for Paul and Sosthenes to be called by God? What would it have ment to hear Paul remind the reader that they had also been called by God?
What does it feel like to be called by God, to be called from, to be called to be, and to be called to action? When you deeply understand this how could you stay where you were before Jesus came into your life?
What does it mean to BIRG in Jesus? To Bask In HIS Reflective Glory? How does this make you a saint?
Grace and Peace are both positional realities given to you based on the work of Jesus alone. They are also growing conditional realities that make you more like Jesus over time. How does Paul describe this in these verses?
What excitement do you feel when you realize this is the good life that Jesus has called you to?
How did the Corinthians loose their focus and what did that cost them, their church, and their city in Corinth?
When have you lost your mind, heart, center, or way?
How have you seen that cost you, your church, or your city?
How is the LEGO story similar to Paul's introduction to the Church at Corinth?
How can you start today to refocus on Jesus as the only thing in life that matters?

BIRGing (Basking in Reflected Glory) is a social psychology concept where individuals boost their self-esteem by publicly associating themselves with successful people or groups, even if they had no hand in the success. Why you congratulate yourself when the Seahawks win.
Last week we introduced this concept. Here Paul raises the danger of Basking in Lesser Glory. The church at Corinth had set their attention on heroes lesser than Jesus.
What value or preference were the Jews and Greeks in Corinth looking for in their hero's?
How did the Jews wanting a powerful sign of works blind them from seeing Jesus?
How did the Greeks wanting wise words of pride blind them from seeing Jesus?
How does Paul speak of the wisdom, works, and power of Jesus and His gospel?
Take some time to talk through the gospel of Jesus' humility. How is this true divine wisdom and power?
To whom will you B.I.R.G?
What happens when you set your eyes on broken human hero's?
What happens when you set your eyes on Jesus lifted up? Talk through verse 30-31. What impact does Jesus' victory have in your life?
Paul ends this chapter by calling the readers to remember their calling. Why does Paul need to remind them of their humble state? Why do we need a sober reminder of our humility?
Why is it good to "Know that you're low"?
How does this help us to B.I.R.G. on Jesus?
How does this open doors for Jesus to use you toward His powerful work?