Life Lessons from Israel and Communion

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting August 28 to study 1 Corinthians 10.  This chapter possibly wraps up the topic of 'eating food sacrificed to idols'.  It has lots of interesting pieces to it including an assessment/application of Israel's history to current church life.  It contains several familiar verses, but I'll bet this is the first time most of us have really dug through the context of them.

Read through the chapter several times, jotting down observations and questions.  Look through several translations, and note areas of disagreement.  Also, bring different translations to the group - like the different one we had last week.  That helps us all get different perspectives. 

After reading through and making your own notes/questions, read through again using the questions below:

• Paul points out the 'unity' of experience of the people of Israel in the desert (vs. 1-4), but notes that God was not pleased with them.  What counter-argument do you think he is trying to undermine with that statement (it's all one sentence in Greek)?  What do you think the believers in Corinth were saying that needed this to correct?
• Paul begins to site their faults as 'examples'.  Keeping in mind the passages so far in this letter, why do you think Paul chose these items as examples?
• Which of those that Paul chose do you think still apply to church today?
• Paul thinks he lives at the end of the age (v. 11).  In what ways might he have been right?
• After the illustrations from Israel's history, then he puts in the verse about temptation (v. 13), but not before his challenge to those who think they stand.  Why do you think he's 'building' his argument right here this way?  What do you think he's arguing against in the church in Corinth?
• We have been told that we are to flee immorality as a sin, but here we are told to also feel idolatry.  Why do you think we hear so much about the one, but not the other in our churches today?
• Paul now applies these things to the Lord's Supper.  This is why we call it "Communion", we all partake together from the same thing.  Paul acknowledges that this unifies the church, but what do you think he sees as the 'additional lesson' they should have taken from it?
• In verse 22, what lesson from Israel do you think Paul might be referring back to?
• What do you think Paul means in verse 23?  Are all things truly 'permissible' or 'lawful'?
• Now Paul lays down some specific direction.  Who do you think this direction is for? Who do you think this direction is supposed to affect?  Why do you think Paul may have switched his 'victim' here at the end?  Or do you think he did?
• How do you think all this changes or modifies your understanding of verse 31?  Or has it?
• What are some ways we can apply the ending principle of verses 32-33 in our lives/church?

That should keep us busy for at least an hour.  Remember to bring your own notes to share.  

Judgement Inside Not Outside

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting July 17 to study 1 Corinthians 5.  This is a very interesting chapter.  Along with the following one (they are somewhat related) Paul's call to not judge seems to reverse itself.  The specific instance is also interesting; not so much the sin as the response of the church.

Read through the chapter several times (it's really short).  Look for peculiar statements, questions, and perspectives.  Ask questions of the text like why, what did that really mean, and what did the people of Corinth think that meant?  Things like that will get you thinking about the text.  You/we may not find answers to those questions, but they get us more engaged with what our Master has inspired.  Jot down your questions and observations and bring them to the meeting.

After compiling your own set of questions and observations, go back through the chapter again with the questions below:

• Look up the word used in verse 1 for the sin committed here.  Listen to the pronunciation.  What English word does this Greek word sound like?  Look up the word, 'pornography' (there isn't any on this site).  What is the origin of this English word?  So what does this 'sin' include?  What sort of sexual behavior would it not include?
• Why do you think this particular sin (in this case in Corinth) is considered bad, even among Gentiles?
•  Read Leviticus 18.  This is a long list, but consider that even relations between parents remarried are included.  Also consider the reason given for such a list.  Why do you think God was both thorough and repeatedly supporting His reason citing the people of both Egypt and Canaan?
• Why do you think the church should have mourned over this sin rather than been proud? 
• Paul has already judged this man as spiritually part of the assembly in Corinth.  Why can he do this when he doesn't even 'judge' himself (see 4:3)?  Why leave judgement for the coming of Jesus in chapter 4, but exercise it here in chapter 5? (read ahead to chapter 6 for even more questions)
• Look at 1 Timothy 1:21-20.  What do you think Paul means there and here when he says 'deliver such a one over to Satan'?  How do you think that happens?
• What do you think it means 'destruction of his flesh so that his spirit may be saved'? (good place to use a 'study Bible' or commentary)
• According to verses 6 through 8, what is the effect of this sin on the church in Corinth?  I think it's clear from this passage the church celebrates the Passover.  What do you think is the significance here to Paul's reference to Jesus as our Passover having been sacrificed?  What do you think that means to them?
• The word, 'associate with' or 'company with' is made up of three words, 'together', 'again', and 'mix', in that order (see the 'Root Word' in the entry).  It's not an uncommon Greek word, but it's not used much in Scripture (3 times, twice in this chapter).  What sort of image does this bring to your mind?
• Why do you think Paul would not prohibit the people from associating with immoral people in the world?  Why be so harsh with the same people in the church?  How do you think church today approaches this problem?
• Look at the list of sins in verses 10 and 11.  Did you notice the list for those in the church is longer?  How do you see all these sins listed?  Do you see them as the same, requiring the same response?
• Consider verse 12 along with 4:5.  Paul clearly has two different things in mind here since he assumes they judge those within the church.  What do you think is the difference?
• If those outside the church are judged by God, do you think this relates to Paul's statements about judging in chapter 4?
• Paul quotes a phrase used in Deuteronomy over and over, almost thematically.  Look at Deuteronomy 13:5, 17:7,12, 21:21, and 22:21.  In each instance in Deuteronomy, how is the evil removed?  Considering verse 5, how closely do you think these concepts are related? 

I know this chapter is only 13 verses, but I think we have plenty of topic to discuss with it.  If these questions bring up more for you, then be sure to bring those to share as well.

Sarcastic Servants of The King?

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting June 26 to study 1 Corinthians 4 (actually 3 and 4).  In this chapter, Paul wraps up his initial argument with the Corinthian church about their treatment of each other and how they regard him.  These first four chapters set up a context in which we can better understand the rest of the issues Paul addresses.  Everything else with which they struggle comes out of this initial discussion.

Read through this chapter several times.  It may be very helpful to start with chapter 1 again, and read through these four chapters together.  The repetition of themes, illustrations, and problems is best seen by reading all four together.  As we launch into the more familiar issues Paul covers you will see direct and indirect ties back to these issues.

As you read through this and the preceding chapters, what doesn't make sense to you?  Where are the things that Paul leaves unexplained or assumed?  Jot down questions and observations you have as you read through.  Be sure to bring those observations and questions to the group.

After you've read through several times, found some questions and observations, read through again with the questions below:

• From verse 1, look up the word Paul uses we translate as 'ministers' at this link.  Look through the various places listed at the bottom where this word is used in the New Testament.  How is this different from 'slave' or 'bond servant', words common with Paul?  There are some 'synonyms' listed in Greek, like doulos (slave) and diakonos (deacon/minister).  Paul wants the church to consider him with this word rather than as a slave or 'deacon'.  Why do you think that might be?
• In verse 1, the other word for how the church should consider Paul is as a 'steward' or 'head butler' of a house.  What sort of image does this bring to mind as you consider church leaders?
• In verse 2 Paul says that 'stewards' are supposed to be 'trustworthy' as if that were the primary quality sought in such people.  What does that mean for Paul?  What do you think that would look like?  Trustworthy to whom?
• Verse 3 is a common verse used to prevent 'judgmental' attitudes in church.  To what do you think Paul is referring here?  It may be helpful to review verse 5:3 before you come to some sort of conclusion.
•  Why do you think Paul wouldn't 'examine' himself?  Read ahead in 11:28.  Obviously Paul has something different in mind here than there.  Look up the word for 'examine' from 1 Corinthians 4:3, and the word, 'examine' from 11:28.  When you compare them, what do you think is the essential difference?
• The root of the word used in verse 4 turns up in verse 5 ('krino'), but also 5:3.  What do you think the difference is between 'judging' here (don't do it, but wait for God), and verse 5:3 (where Paul does it without even being there)?
• If Paul is referring to 'Scripture' when he refers to 'what has been written', then what Scripture are they not to exceed?
• Considering verses 6 and 7, what is the obvious problem the Corinthians have, and how do you think this relates to the previous statements about 'judging'?
• Take your best guess, do you think Paul is serious in his assessment of the believers in verse 8?  If not why is he writing this way?  If so, what does he end the verse that way?
• Can you sense the continuation of the tone from verse 8 throughout 9 through 13?  What do you think Paul is doing here in this part of his argument?  Consider, how do you think Paul feels as he writes this? What emotion do you sense in these words?
• In verse 14, Paul states his purpose in writing as he has, what do you think of as the difference between 'shame' and 'warn' or 'admonish' (the English words)?
• Look up the two words, 'shame' and 'admonish'.  What difference do you see between these?  Is it the same as the English words used?
• Paul connects himself to them as 'father' to them as 'children'.  Having made that claim, what is his challenge to them?  Do you think that's proper or right?
• In that light (fathers and sons), he sends Timothy.  What sort of reception do you imagine Timothy receiving when he arrives?
• Paul wraps up this chapter (part of the letter) stating that he intends to come.  What do you see as the criteria he will use in comparing the 'arrogant' people there in Corinth and himself?  What do you think verse 20 means, in practical terms?  What does that look like?

That should carry us through an hour (or more).  As I said, there are great things in this chapter.  Bring your own questions and observations to the group.

The 'Where', and the 'Who' of First Corinthians

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study group meeting May 8, to study the first of Paul's letters to the church in Corinth.  On this night, we'll be studying the city itself, and a bit about the history of the region (Achaia, Peloponnesus, and Attica).  There is a map below to help with some of the places mentioned.

First, please review any introductions to the letter in a 'study Bible' or commentary you may have.  Second, please read these three articles (they're short) on Corinth on the Blue Letter Bible site.  Third, Google the city of Corinth.  Browse through what you can find, and make notes and jot down questions.

I have some questions I'd like you to consider.  The answers may be different depending on what you read, so read more than one thing.

• How many cities of Corinth were there?
• What people founded the original city?
• What was the principal quality every historian mentions about Corinth?
• The city had a 'citadel' on top of the 'Acrocorinth', a tall rocky hill behind it.  What, besides a fort, was up there? (try this article also check out the live video feed on that page)
• The Romans destroyed the city in 144 B.C. and it remained a ruin until 44 B.C. what Roman emperor had it rebuilt?
• What socioeconomic people-group did the Romans use to populate the second Corinth?
• See if you can find Ancient Corinth on 'Google Maps'.  Is it where you thought it would be in relation to the narrow isthmus?  Why where it is rather than right on the narrow part?
• How many ports did Corinth have?  One is right down on the shore from the ancient city.  Where are the other(s)?

That, these pictures, and websites should not only give us a good idea of the place Paul wrote to, but also the people.  See you all Thursday!