Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 12:12 that every believer LIVING IN RHYTHM has a part in the building process: “For just as the body is In John 15, Jesus declares to His followers that unless one and has many members, and all the members of the they abide in Him, they cannot bear fruit. The word body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ” “abide” means to sink deeply into, and it occurs 11 times (ESV). You are part of the body of Christ. in chapter 15, and over 40 times in the Gospel of John. This is a command from Jesus; it is a reminder that just 1 CORINTHIANS 14:1-5 The Well Community Church is only part of the greater as no vine branch can bear fruit in isolation, no Christian body of Christ. So building up the church means doing can bear fruit in their life without Jesus. anything for the body of Christ, locally and globally. With Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 What is your approach when it comes to the church? Do this understanding, how do Paul’s words in this week’s Abiding in Jesus means to spend time with Him and you feel that you have an “I” approach or a “team” passage impact you? enjoy His presence. Make it a priority each day this week BIG IDEA approach? to set aside time to be with Jesus. Enjoy time praying and You are part of the body of Christ, and you have a role in reflecting on His words in Scripture, considering the building the church. cross and the price He paid to set you free. There’s no OUR STORY time limit; it could be 10 minutes or an hour. Just abide in Christ and be ready to share your experience with the There’s a popular saying in the realm of athletics: Group next week. “There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team.’” Coaches throughout the nation have communicated this phrase to their athletes. They REFLECTION SERMON NOTES continually emphasize the teamwork and unselfishness it GOD’S STORY As you consider Paul’s words to the Corinthians and takes for a team to be successful. Regrettably, as often The specific gifts of prophecy and tongues played a apply them to your life, what’s your role in building up the as coaches preach it, role models don’t often live it. major role in the New Testament church. While the church? Frustration naturally surfaces as coaches stress debate wages on about their place now, Paul’s words are unselfishness and the opposite is displayed in the wider as impactful today as they were 2000 years ago. Look at world of professional athletics. News stories about the heart of his message and you’ll see why he favored self-centered athletes appear all too often in the media. the gift of prophecy over speaking in tongues. His desire There are some good examples out there for young was to build the church, not to get any personal athletes, but unfortunately, they are the exception gratification or recognition. Paul was clear that he favored instead of the rule. the gift of prophecy – proclaiming a message from God – because it benefited the church as a whole, and was The message of 1 Corinthians 12 through 14 While professional athletes are under a spotlight for selfless, whereas the Corinthians were misusing communicates God has given His people gifts to use in everyone to evaluate, their behavior is not unique. tongues in a selfish way. love and build up the church. Gifts plus love equal a Selfishness infiltrates all areas of life, including the healthy, growing church. Which of the following areas do church. New believers aren’t really the problem. Look at 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 again, focusing specifically you find most difficult: Understanding your spiritual gifts, Undoubtedly, grace must be given to people who are on building up the church. What truths can you extract loving others, or being a part of building the church? new in their faith until they figure out what being part of from the passage? Where do you feel most comfortable? the church is all about. But what about the person who has been in the church for years and can’t help but make everything about them? Selfishness is a tremendous inhibitor of the effectiveness of the church. Instead of building up the church, many people turn inward, trying to put an “I” in “team.” This is a problem – one that is not limited to today. It’s the same one Paul faced with the Corinthians. Unselfishness is a part of being Relationally Trace Paul’s line of thinking through the last several Write a letter to the church today, communicating as Paul Healthy and a sign of growth as a Christ-follower, and it’s chapters of 1 Corinthians. In chapter 12 he conveys that did 2000 years ago, both encouraging and cautioning foundational to a healthy church. spiritual gifts are meant to benefit others; in chapter 13 them to use what God has blessed them with in a way the message is that without love, you have nothing; in that would honor Him. Share the letter or highlights of the chapter 14 he explains how gifts and love bond together, letter with the Group. resulting in the edification (building up) of the church. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 12:12 that every believer LIVING IN RHYTHM has a part in the building process: “For just as the body is In John 15, Jesus declares to His followers that unless one and has many members, and all the members of the they abide in Him, they cannot bear fruit. The word body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ” “abide” means to sink deeply into, and it occurs 11 times (ESV). You are part of the body of Christ. in chapter 15, and over 40 times in the Gospel of John. This is a command from Jesus; it is a reminder that just The Well Community Church is only part of the greater as no vine branch can bear fruit in isolation, no Christian body of Christ. So building up the church means doing can bear fruit in their life without Jesus. anything for the body of Christ, locally and globally. With Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 What is your approach when it comes to the church? Do this understanding, how do Paul’s words in this week’s Abiding in Jesus means to spend time with Him and you feel that you have an “I” approach or a “team” passage impact you? enjoy His presence. Make it a priority each day this week BIG IDEA approach? to set aside time to be with Jesus. Enjoy time praying and You are part of the body of Christ, and you have a role in reflecting on His words in Scripture, considering the building the church. cross and the price He paid to set you free. There’s no OUR STORY time limit; it could be 10 minutes or an hour. Just abide in Christ and be ready to share your experience with the There’s a popular saying in the realm of athletics: Group next week. “There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team.’” Coaches throughout the nation have communicated this phrase to their athletes. They REFLECTION SERMON NOTES continually emphasize the teamwork and unselfishness it GOD’S STORY As you consider Paul’s words to the Corinthians and takes for a team to be successful. Regrettably, as often The specific gifts of prophecy and tongues played a apply them to your life, what’s your role in building up the as coaches preach it, role models don’t often live it. major role in the New Testament church. While the church? Frustration naturally surfaces as coaches stress debate wages on about their place now, Paul’s words are unselfishness and the opposite is displayed in the wider as impactful today as they were 2000 years ago. Look at world of professional athletics. News stories about the heart of his message and you’ll see why he favored self-centered athletes appear all too often in the media. the gift of prophecy over speaking in tongues. His desire There are some good examples out there for young was to build the church, not to get any personal athletes, but unfortunately, they are the exception gratification or recognition. Paul was clear that he favored instead of the rule. the gift of prophecy – proclaiming a message from God – because it benefited the church as a whole, and was The message of 1 Corinthians 12 through 14 While professional athletes are under a spotlight for selfless, whereas the Corinthians were misusing communicates God has given His people gifts to use in everyone to evaluate, their behavior is not unique. tongues in a selfish way. love and build up the church. Gifts plus love equal a Selfishness infiltrates all areas of life, including the healthy, growing church. Which of the following areas do church. New believers aren’t really the problem. Look at 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 again, focusing specifically you find most difficult: Understanding your spiritual gifts, Undoubtedly, grace must be given to people who are on building up the church. What truths can you extract loving others, or being a part of building the church? new in their faith until they figure out what being part of from the passage? Where do you feel most comfortable? the church is all about. But what about the person who has been in the church for years and can’t help but make everything about them? Selfishness is a tremendous inhibitor of the effectiveness of the church. Instead of building up the church, many people turn inward, trying to put an “I” in “team.” This is a problem – one that is not limited to today. It’s the same one Paul faced with the Corinthians. Unselfishness is a part of being Relationally Trace Paul’s line of thinking through the last several Write a letter to the church today, communicating as Paul Healthy and a sign of growth as a Christ-follower, and it’s chapters of 1 Corinthians. In chapter 12 he conveys that did 2000 years ago, both encouraging and cautioning foundational to a healthy church. spiritual gifts are meant to benefit others; in chapter 13 them to use what God has blessed them with in a way the message is that without love, you have nothing; in that would honor Him. Share the letter or highlights of the chapter 14 he explains how gifts and love bond together, letter with the Group. resulting in the edification (building up) of the church.