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At the end of the parade…. 1 Corinthians 4
This weeks study will be at the usual time 8pm:
Summary of the house group Study
There are many figures in history that have done extraordinary things for the sake of the their Faith. St. Francis of Assissi exhibited this when he walked through Muslim battle lines during crisade times in order to preach to the Sultan of that time. An exibition of redical servanthood for Christ. The “wise” of this current age may not agree…. but do we…..?
GROUP DISCUSSION:
At the turn of the century, Time magazine placed Einstein on the front cover as the person of the century…. and Gandhi on the back in a advertisement. What does that say about our world’s values? How do we are christians need to be different?…..
How do Paul and and is coworkers want to be regarded? …(certainly not hero worship!!)……
So why does God request faithfulness from his servants – why is this so important?
Thinking of Paul’s view – how could an arrogant Leader use this to pursue their own personal agenda and not God’s true one?
What are the dangers of being separated from being indenpendant of other believes counsel?
Paul feared that the Corinthian’s were moving beyond what was layed out in the scriptures… how does this relate to taking “pride in the one man against another”….
In addition, the Crithians appear to have taken a short cut in their own mids to the Glory that Paul spoke of… How ?
Think of this,if you were one of the Cortinhians of this time , how would Paul’s words affect you and your attitudes?
Finally, look at v16-17: how would you immitating Paul’s way of life require changes in your own thinking and actions?
Group work: looking at leadership qualities that we outlined in previous workshops- the outcome of the group review was
- 1st- Prayerful
- =2nd – Perceptive and passionate
- 3rd – Pastoral
- 4th – Persuasive
Time spent talking over the results and discussing what this meant.
So personal time : What would you most like to be remembered for?
To the meat of the study -
The Corinthians were worldly and quarrelsome because the miss-understood both the message and the messengers of the cross. As you will recall – in chapters 1 &2 Paul focused on the message – (see previous postings) – now the focus is on the messengers, this reminds us ( and the Corinthians) of our true identity in Christ and how this should shape ALL our christian ministry. The Aim of this study is to lead to a proper understanding & perspective on the place of our ministry in the overall work of God.
some of the questions discussed:
In what ways is God’s church like that of a planted field? and why is is foolish to exhault those who work in the field.
Can you think of situations where the following of the man came before the message that was being preached or the ministry work?
Why should we be careful of what one builds?
Paul accused the Corinthians of being worldly yet “God’s spirit lives in you” – how is this dichotomy possible?
Why should this put an end to boasting about men (v21) ?
Pray that in your ministry you will build with enduring materials on the foundation of Christ. Pray also for those who serve you as leaders.
LASTLY : Which Sphere in your life needs most maturing at this time?
