Community Groups DISCOVER | CONNECT | SERVE “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:23-25 (NIV) Why Community Groups? Because God created us to live life in the context of relationships! A Community Group is an opportunity for you to connect with others as you experience real life-change in your Christian walk. What is a Community Group? A “small group” of 6-10 people who “do life” together as they grow in their love for God, His word, and others. Community Groups encourage folks to take their next step spiritually as they: (1) Discover God and His grace, (2) Connect with others in life- transforming relationships, and (3) Serve the church and the world. Thus, a Community Group is an environment where we are transformed more and more into the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29-30). Our conviction is that “real life-change only happens in the context of biblical community.” In addition to this, a Community Group is also a place for folks to have fun as they celebrate and share life together! Come join us! Our journey begins with a study of the epistle (or letter) of 1 Corinthians. The following Study Guide is intended to immerse you into God’s word so that you will grow closer to Him in the context of life-transforming relationships. Topeka Bible Church 1135 SW College Ave. Topeka, KS 66614 | (785) 234-5545 | www.DiscoverTBC.com DISCOVER | CONNECT | SERVE Community Groups | TBC STUDY ONE | 1 CORINTHIANS 1:1-17 BACKGROUND Author: The Apostle Paul and his ally in ministry Sosthenes (1 Corinthians 1:1; Acts 18:12-17) Date written: A.D. 53-57 Written from: Ephesus (Acts 19:1, 10; 20:31) in order to address many problematic situations at the Church in Corinth (founded in A.D. 50-51 during Paul’s Second Missionary Journey; Acts 18:1-11) and exhort them to humility and obedience. Paul begins his first letter to the Corinthians by praising God for His graCious work in their lives. Yet he wastes no time in addressing the serious problem of divisions in their church. 1. Paul identifies himself as an “apostle” (1 Corinthians 1:1)? What is an “apostle?” Who gave Paul this title (Galatians 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:1)? Who was Sosthenes (Acts 18:12-17)? Given his past experience, would you expect him to be a ministry partner with Paul? 2. What does it mean to be “sanctified in Christ Jesus” and “called to be saints” (1 Corinthians 1:2)? Why are these truths important for us to embrace (1 Corinthians 1:30; 6:11; Hebrews 10:10; 2 Timothy 2:2)? What happens when we forget these truths? 3. Did Paul give thanks to God for anything the Corinthians had done or something that had been done for them (1 Corinthians 1:4-6; Titus 3:4-7)? What does it mean that we are not “lacking in any spiritual gift” (1 Corinthians 1:7; cf. Ephesians 1:3-5)? 2 4. How long will Christ sustain us, spiritually speaking, and what does this tell us about God (1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 5:24)? Why was Paul so concerned about the lack of unity within the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1-3)? 5. What was at the source of these divisions (1 Corinthians 1:11-12)? Why are these divisions worthless (1 Corinthians 3:4-7, 21-23)? Do you see people in the church today following a personality rather than Christ? Why is this dangerous (cf. Exodus 20:3)? 6. Why does Paul downplay his role in baptizing some of the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 1:14-16)? What was Paul’s primary calling in life (1 Corinthians 1:17; Romans 1:16-17)? How can our “eloquent wisdom” empty the cross of its power (1 Corinthians 2:2-5)? 7. Look over this passage and count how many times “Jesus Christ” is mentioned. What does this repetition tell you about Paul’s emphasis and our focus? Take some time to confess to God the ways that you look to others (or human wisdom) instead of to Him. MEMORY VERSE: 1 Corinthians 1:17 – For Christ did not call me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lets the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 3 Community Groups | TBC STUDY TWO | 1 CORINTHIANS 1:18-31 The Corinthians were enamored by men who appeared wise and impressive. Paul points out that human wisdom and power Cannot Compare to the true wisdom and power of God. 1. What is the “word of the cross” and why is it foolish to the unsaved (1 Corinthians 1:18; 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4)? Have you observed this? Have you ever experienced the “power of God” through the message of the cross (1 Corinthians 15:1-2; Romans 1:16)? 2. Why does Paul quote here from Isaiah 29:14 (1 Corinthians 1:19)? What will God destroy? What does God do to human wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:20; Jeremiah 8:9)? Do you see the irony in these verses? Are you lured by human wisdom? 3. What is human wisdom incapable of accomplishing (1 Corinthians 1:21)? How did God respond? Is this what the world was looking for (1 Corinthians 1:22)? Why is the gospel called a “stumbling block” or “folly” (1 Corinthians 1:23)? 4. How does Jesus serve as the “power” and “wisdom” of God for His followers (1 Corinthians 1:24)? Is God really “foolish” and “weak” (1 Corinthians 1:25)? What is Paul getting at here? Do you really believe this? 4 5. Was Paul insulting the Corinthians or was he getting at something else (1 Corinthians 1:26)? Can you relate? Why should we see ourselves just like the Corinthians were before we knew Christ (Ephesians 2:1-4; Romans 5:8)? 6. How does God’s way of operating differ from the world’s (1 Corinthians 1:27-28; cf. James 2:5)? Why does God do this (1 Corinthians 1:29; cf. Isaiah 55:8-9)? Why should we accept God’s way of operating rather than the world’s (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)? 7. Even as Christians, we struggle not to boast in human “impressiveness,” either in ourselves or in others (including church leaders!). What does God clearly say to us (1 Corinthians 1:30-31; Jeremiah 9:23-24)? How should we respond? MEMORY VERSE: 1 Corinthians 1:21 – For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 5 Community Groups | TBC STUDY THREE | 1 CORINTHIANS 2:1-16 Paul Continues his opening discourse on true wisdom by pointing out that non-Christians neither aCCept nor understand the truth of God – beCause they are not able to do so. 1. Why did Paul not proclaim the testimony (or truth) of God in “lofty speech or wisdom” (1 Corinthians 2:1)? What would have happened if he had done so (1 Corinthians 1:12)? What was Paul’s primary aim (1 Corinthians 2:2; Romans 1:16; Philippians 3:10-11)? 2. How did God confirm Paul’s proclamation of the gospel (1 Corinthians 2:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 1:5)? Why did God do this (1 Corinthians 2:5)? What can we learn from Paul’s example of “weakness” (cf. Galatians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)? 3. What happens when we place too much trust in the wisdom and impressiveness of other people (including pastors, 1 Corinthians 2:5)? Is Paul saying we should never seek advice from others? Where do we find true wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:6; Proverbs 1:7)? 4. Why would God keep His wisdom a secret (1 Corinthians 2:7-8; Colossians 1:26)? Doesn’t He want people to know His truth? While we will never fully understand God’s wisdom, do you at least trust in His promises (1 Corinthians 2:9; Isaiah 64:4)? 6 5. How (or through Whom) does God reveal His truth (1 Corinthians 2:10-11)? Who exactly is this Spirit (John 14:15-17, 26; 16:13-14)? How does He differ from the Spirit of the world (1 Corinthians 2:12; 1 John 4:1-3; Romans 8:15)? 6. How does the Spirit work in conjunction with the proclamation of God’s truth (1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18)? Who is the “natural” person and why does he reject God’s wisdom and spiritual truth (1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4)? 7. How does the “spiritual” person differ from the “natural” person (1 Corinthians 2:15)? Why is the spiritual person judged by no one (Hebrews 7:25)? Does this mean Christians can do no wrong? What is the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16)? Do you have it? MEMORY VERSE: 1 Corinthians 2:2 – For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 7 Community Groups | TBC STUDY FOUR | 1 CORINTHIANS 3:1-23 Paul again addresses the divisions within the Corinthian ChurCh, and he warns that if they build their ChurCh (or their lives) on anyone other than Christ, there will be no lasting benefit.