So, you think your church has problems? In his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul is dealing with significant challenges: divisions in the congregation, sexual immorality, lawsuits between brothers, disorder in the worship, problems with the Lord’s supper, and misunderstanding of the resurrection, just to name a few. Studying the book of 1 Corinthians is extremely practical. Paul provided clear instruction to the church in many specific areas, that the Church might be filled with and led by the Holy Spirit. In this twenty-lesson series, we must determine whether Paul’s encouragement, instruction and exhortation were meant to be limited to this one particular church in Corinth around 54 A.D., or whether this teaching applies to all churches for all time.
We start our study with an explanation of the value of good expository teaching and an introduction to the book of Corinthians. This lesson calls us to consider whether we share Jesus' (and Paul's) vision for Christian unity and challenges us to root out any trace of sectarianism in our hearts. Teaching Notes Christian Unity […]
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul has a significant challenge: addressing a long list of problems in a church he deeply loves. This must have been a difficult letter to write! In this lesson, we see how Paul lays the groundwork to prepare the church to receive more specific instruction, which he will provide […]
1 Corinthians 1-2 - God's vs. the World's Wisdom (2016) View Lesson
In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul uses four examples from daily life to instruct his listeners on church unity, peacemaking, Jesus Christ as the only foundation of the Church, how we will be judged (and rewarded) by God as to how we build the Church, honoring God by how we care for our physical bodies, and […]
1 Corinthians 3 - Examples from Daily Life for a Stronger Church (2016) View Lesson
In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul builds on his teaching on church unity from the first three chapters. Paul addresses the Church's boasting, envy, and strife. This lesson tackles the important questions of what Paul meant when he says not to judge and what he meant when he says imitate me. This lesson calls us to serve […]
1 Corinthians 4 - Building Church Unity and Judging Your Brother (2016) View Lesson
In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul turns to a new and serious matter: the church's failure to expel from the congregation a brother involved in sexual immorality. This lesson covers the Biblical definition of sexual immortality, Paul's and Jesus' admonition and example of dealing with Christians who refuse to repent of serious sin, the reasons why most […]
1 Corinthians 5 - Sexual Immorality and Expelling an Immoral Brother (2016) View Lesson
In 1 Corinthians 6 Paul speaks the truth in love, calling out the church in Corinth for bringing law suits against each other, instead of resolving their disputes internally. This lesson addresses whether Christians should ever bring law suits, as well as what a Christian should consider before making a decision to resort to the courts. We […]
1 Corinthians 6:1-11 - Christians and Law Suits (2016) View Lesson
In the second half of chapter six, Paul addresses immorality in the Corinthian church. Paul explains the importance of the physical body, that Christians are united with Christ, and that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. This lesson looks at these blessings and the responsibility Christians have to keep their temples holy. We […]
1 Corinthians 6:12-20 - Immorality and the Body as the Temple of the Holy Spirit (2016) View Lesson
In this passage, Paul addresses specific issues related to those who are married in the church, including fasting, sexual relations, and divorce and remarriage. This lesson covers Jesus' teaching on marriage, the foundation on which Paul builds. Jesus' teaching shocked his disciples, as it was a radical departure from societal norms. The challenge for us […]
1 Corinthians 7:1-16 - Divorce and Remarriage, and Instructions to Married People (2016) View Lesson
What does the Bible say about being single and a Christian? In this passage, Paul provides instructions to those who are single in the church. We may be surprised at what Paul (and Jesus) teach about the single life, that this is a preferred lifestyle to the married life, if lived in devotion to God. […]
1 Corinthians 7:17-40 - Paul's Teaching on Being Single (2016) View Lesson
Part 1 of this lesson tackles chapters 8 and 10, in which Paul discusses the practice of eating food sacrificed to idols, an issue that is causing division in the church. While sacrificing food to idols is not common in the United States, Christians face this issue in many parts of the world. There are […]