1 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Did I mention ?

STARTER Make up a story by saying one sentence each until the story finishes. Choose a word everyone must include in their sentence (e.g. yellow, football, carrots). How did the word affect the story? BACKGROUND INFO. 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 is the beginning of a letter Paul wrote to the Corinthians which sets the focus for the entire letter. Learn about the author and recipients through the fact file and quiz.

FACT FILE on CORINTH QUIZ on PAUL Corinth was a wealthy Roman city located Are these statements true or false? between two large bodies of water, making it a central stop on the trade route between Rome Paul was one of Jesus’ 12 disciples. T/F and the East. (Why not find it on a map!) It was Paul persecuted Christians before he populated by people from all over the empire became one. T/F seeking to make a living. They brought with them many religions, cultures and practices. Paul spent Paul saw the risen Jesus. T/F a year and a half preaching in Corinth and in that Paul’s name was originally Silas. T/F time established a church. After he left, Paul heard some troubling reports about what was Paul was given the task of sharing happening in the church. Therefore, he wrote a Jesus with people who were not Jews. letter we now know as 1 Corinthians. T/F

READ - 1 CORINTHIANS 1:1-9 Use the 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 print out to independently: > Highlight Jesus’ name or the pronouns used for him. > Underline a verse that stands out to you as being important. > Circle any words you don’t understand. DISCUSS PREVIEW > What is the central focus of this passage? > What verse stood out to you and why? > What words are you unsure of? GROUP ACTIVITY ONLY Optional: As a group, brainstorm on a large sheet of paper or whiteboard everything you can learn about Jesus from this passage.

1 Youth Studies Series zenosmedia THINK AND DO Match these words with their meaning:

Proclaiming the : Jesus’ death and . sanctified Preaching, prophesying, speaking in tongues, encouraging, etc. testimony A messenger sent on behalf of God. kinds of speech The day Jesus will return to judge the world. day of our Lord To be made holy.

Fill in the blanks using words from the passage to describe the church.

The church is s______in Jesus Christ and called to be s______. They have been given g______, s______and k______. Jesus will keep them firm until the ______and on that day they will be b______.

DISCUSS It would have been easy for Paul to start his letter by pointing out the faults in the Corinthian church – there were many! But he recognises God’s Spirit is at work and chooses to focus on this. What are some of the positive things about your church/group that shows evidence God is at work?

What different gifts have the people in your church/group been given?

APPLY This letter was not just written to the Corinthians but includes all Christians (v2). It therefore describes the identity of anyonePREVIEW who calls Jesus their Lord. Read the following truths from the passage and spend some time imagining how your life might change if you took one of these more seriously. Draw a picture of what you have imagined:

• I am sanctified and given grace. • I am called to be holy. • I’ve been given gifts to use for God’s glory. • I don’t need to be afraid on judgment day because God will declare me blameless. • I am in a relationship with Jesus where he will be with me no matter what happens.

PRAY Thank God for the people and the spiritual gifts he has given to your group/church. Praise Jesus for who he is. Pray that your identityONLY will be found in him. 2 Youth Bible Studies Series zenosmedia 1 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 1 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the 1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother , will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those 2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywherePREVIEW who people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: Lord and ours: 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. the Lord Jesus Christ.

4I always thank my God for you because of his 4I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enrichedONLY in every way— 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way— with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.