Paul now begins to address problems related to the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to the church, foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures. What was their purpose? Where did they come from? Paul then paints a beautiful picture of Christian unity: a vibrant, functioning body composed of members with diverse roles and gifts. This […]
Gifts of the Spirit and Unity (1 Corinthians 12:1-26) View Lesson
The Corinthians' observance of the Lord’s supper exposed major problems in the church. We take this opportunity to explore the basis for the Lord’s supper and to consider questions that have divided Christians for centuries. When Jesus said, “this is my body…this is my blood”, did He mean for us to take that literally or […]
For over nineteen and a half centuries, there was little confusion in the church as to Paul's straightforward instructions to women to cover their heads when they pray (and to men to uncover when they pray). However, most churches today have relegated this passage to the dustbin, claiming it addresses only an ancient Corinthian custom. […]
Head Covering and Uncovering (1 Corinthians 11:2-16) View Lesson
The Lord knew that His people would ask for a ruler in the future. Therefore, He gave Moses specific instructions regarding those rulers. In these we find wonderful insight into the character of God, a preview of tragic events that will follow, and valuable life lessons for us today. Teaching Notes Deuteronomy 17:14-20 - Lesson […]
Instructions to Future Rulers (Deuteronomy 17:14-20) View Lesson
In a discussion on meat sacrificed to idols, Paul confirms all food is from God (therefore good), and that idols are nothing. However, he also mentions demons, which are a real danger. In this message we explore what we know about demons from Scripture, how they can impact our world today, and what we should […]
Paul urges us to pursue the Christian life with the intensity of a runner training to win a race. He then turns to the story of Israel’s journey out of Egypt to warn us about the dangers of sin. In the ‘Exodus Map’ we can see a scale model of the Christian spiritual journey. Warning: […]
Is it better to have church leaders financially supported by the church, or self-supported through secular work? It depends! Paul makes the case for church-supported ministers, then explains why he personally chose the other way. In this lesson we explore the advantages of both alternatives. We also consider what Paul meant when he called us […]
Church-Supported or Self-Supported Ministers? (1 Corinthians 9:1-23) View Lesson
Eating meat sacrificed to idols? What does that topic offer Christians today? Perhaps more than you realize! Well over a billion people belong to religions where classical idolatry is still rampant. Plus, various forms of idolatry have crept into the Christian church. We also gain important insights as Paul emphasizes the importance of loving others […]
On Idolatry and Loving Others (1 Corinthians 8:1-13) View Lesson
This book provides stirring imagery, strong warnings and even some little-known prophecies about Jesus. A courageous prophet brings a message of judgment against God's people, with a significant theme being Israel's lack of concern for the poor. We take the opportunity to explore what the Scriptures teach about caring for the poor, an essential aspect […]
In many churches, the ‘ideal’ Christian lifestyle held up is to be married with a family. However, Paul (and Jesus) had a rather different perspective. In this message we explore Paul’s view on the spiritual advantages of the single way of life. This is an important lesson for those who are single, for church leaders, […]
On the Single Way of Life (1 Corinthians 7:25-40) View Lesson