Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Exodus 19:5-6, Jeremiah 7:21-23
This Is the New Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. As we read, we’ll gain a broader understanding of the redemptive story of Scripture. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we move from the Gospels and Acts into the Pauline Epistles.
The Book of 1 Corinthians: First Corinthians is a letter written by Paul to the church in Corinth. The Corinthian church was struggling to stay faithful to the gospel while living as a part of the larger, non-Christian Corinthian culture. With this in mind, Paul gave practical instruction on love, Christian unity, spiritual gifts, and marriage. And he emphasized the significance of the resurrection for the life of the Church.
How 1 Corinthians Fits into the Story: First Corinthians contributes greatly to our understanding of Christian life, ministry, and relationships by showing us how the members of the Church—called the body of Christ—are to function together. Paul gave specific solutions to specific problems the Corinthian church faced. But the underlying answer to every question is the call to live Christ-centered lives in community, no matter the culture or circumstance.
Reflection Questions:
1. How has God called you into fellowship with Jesus Christ? How does that fellowship connect you to other believers in the Church?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
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28 thoughts on "1 Corinthians"
Reflection Questions:
1. How has God called you into fellowship with Jesus Christ? Through a constant want of clarity on who I am and what my purpose is on this earth. And I’m still trying to figure it out with His help.
How does that fellowship connect you to other believers in the Church? A want for community and understanding of the word with other believers.
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
That the struggles the Corinthian church dealt with are the same struggles we deal with today.
God called me into fellowship with Jesus at church as a result of an invitation from the Pastor.
I think this show the beauty of the body of Christ. Everyone serving out of their gifts. The Sunday School teacher showed love to me and taught me about Jesus, the pastor delivered the message and the invitation. There were people through out my life who helped me grow in the Lord. The body of Christ, the Church, we all have a role leading others to Christ. We encourage each other and pray for each other, bring others to church, care for our community outside the church. It is beautiful when we all do our part.
Praying for all
God called us out of sin so that can worship Him. This reminds me how God called the Israelites out of Egypt so they could worship and be a light to the godless and pagan nations around them.
God redeemed us because He loved us. Secondly so we could be his hands and feet and light in the earth
If We Are The Body
It’s crowded in worship today
As she slips in trying to fade into the faces
The girl’s teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know
But if we are the body
Why aren’t His arms reaching?
Why aren’t His hands healing?
Why aren’t His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren’t His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way
A traveler is far away from home
He sheds His coat and quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances
Tells him that His chances are better out on the road
But if we are the body
Why aren’t His arms reaching?
Why aren’t His hands healing?
Why aren’t His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren’t His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ
If we are the body
Why aren’t His arms reaching?
Why aren’t His hands healing?
Why aren’t His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren’t His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
If we are the body
Why aren’t His arms reaching?
Why aren’t His hands healing?
Why aren’t His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren’t His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
Jesus is the way
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
GM She’s!
Isn’t it amazing that we are all equal at the foot of the Cross! I don’t have to have to be qualified, or a certain race or sex. I just have to be a child of God through placing my faith in Jesus. When I love Jesus first and foremost, then I will want to love others.
Then..our flesh shows up. So much angst, problems, pride, and division in churches. It is nothing new though, as proof in Corinthians. Paul is giving them the lecture…people- you are ALL important and have a place and purpose! Quit the childlike behavior! Being in many different churches, I, of course, have seen it and experienced hurt and trying to find my place as well. We take things the wrong way, feel under-appreciated, don’t get to do what we feel we should..
We do the same to others.
We are a big church and I see people, regulars, disappear all the time. And sadly, they probably don’t even feel missed. It’s sad, yet we can’t close our doors at a certain number…we WANT people to come right!? You add services to accommodate. The more services, the harder to know who is who. So we just love all and make all feel welcome, and it’s more up to them to get plugged in to small groups. Both small and large churches have their problems. All denominations have their problems in their churches.
Genuine love is God flowing through us to love others. That’s the only way we break through the flesh that will try to prevail and lead us. It is distinguished above all other emotions we can have. We have to lead with it, with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us the fruits to live well and to do our part in the body. We all have uniqueness and gifts-that is such good news! God Can and Will use us, we just have to be willing. You have to take the initiative.
I saw a clip on a minister that became really big and popular in a mega church, that decided to step away and begin home churches again. I appreciate that he felt like he was doing it all as the mouthpiece, but wanted more from his church to actually participate as active body parts. He said think of the impact if all turned around and served outside the church. That’s what its all about…first coming to praise and worship God in the church, and showing how we love each other…but then, to go out through the weak and live that love to the unchurched. The argument is always there that we don’t HAVE to be part of a church to love and serve God, and that is true, but we are called to love and serve together as a body, and you can’t do that solo. That would be an ear, just laying there cut off from the body.
I have a record, a journal, of all that has happened in my growth since joining my church 5 years ago. And ya’ll know it! I never want to get comfortable and complacent, I want the fire to keep hot and burning. God first, church second, serving the body, and going to the world. Amen.
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Love this! I think that one of our biggest misconceptions about church is that it is for *us*. You are so right that it is impossible to live out the MANY “one another” commands in isolation. Each person has unique gifting that the church needs in order to function rightly. What would our churches look like if people showed up wondering how they could serve rather than looking to be served (and grumbling or leaving when those perceived needs were not met). Convicting!
God called me into fellowship with Him the moment I said yes, asking him for forgiveness and to be Lord of my life. Because other believers have experienced the same, there is a connection and kinship that draws us together with the common goal to grow in affection for the Lord, to care for on another and a desire for others to know Jesus. We us our different gifts, skills and abilities to spur one another on, to serve, to carry out the ministry of the church and together be ministers of the saving Good news of Jesus. Together, being in community as believers we can all be part of the redemption story. What a gracious God we serve.
Today’s reading reminded me that God has called me into a personal relationship with Jesus, not because of anything I’ve done, but because of His grace. Through that relationship, I’m also connected to other believers as one body in Christ. That’s one of the reasons gatherings like Jesus & Jammies I do at my house has become so meaningful to me. They remind me that we aren’t meant to follow Jesus alone we need community to encourage one another, pray together, and grow in our faith.
Today’s reading also deepened my understanding of the story of redemption because it shows that Jesus not only reconciles us to God but also unites us with one another. Redemption restores our relationship with God and creates a family of believers who are called to love and encourage each other as we follow Him.
Yes, Amen.
Groups are so special and important. They help us grow in our knowledge of the word, discussing and sharing together. They are the ones that we pray with and for. And when life delivers the blows, oh how they are there for us. I am a firm believer you need these smaller groups even when you are in church regularly.
To have everyone at my own house…in jammies is ideal for me!! Half my problem is the get up and going! It’s a good thing I lead a couple of groups or I would easily fall away! lol!
Thanks, Lisa for your insight. Sounds like Jesus and jammies is the way to go! I wanna come :-)
My journey to fellowship with Christ has not been a traditional one. My parents were believers, but we never went to church or read the Bible. As a young adult, maybe 22ish, I got baptized with my mom and grandmother after my great-grandmother passed since this was something she had been praying for, but I still continued to stray and I didn’t really know God. When my dad unexpectedly passed at 24, this is what really kickstarted my relationship with God. I felt a peace and kindness in the midst of chaos and grieving that was unexplainable. I felt God right there with me. I started to read the Bible and other faith-based books…but not consistently. At around age 30, I found the Happy Hour podcast which then led me here to SRT, and I am so beyond grateful! I still haven’t found a church family, which I know God has been wanting me to do. I keep nudging my husband to find a place, but he is so busy that he forgets; it’s cringe worthy, but we all get this way sometimes. The busyness of the world consumes us, and I fall victim too. I really want my little boy to grow up in the church since he will be leaving his Christian pre-k for public school kindergarten. He was so dumbfounded when I told him he would not be praying in school every day… Anyway, if you guys have any suggestions or prayers for this experience, I’ll take them!
Have a blessed day!
I grew up in church but strayed in my teens and twenties. When my children were young my husband and I knew we needed to get back to church for their sake. We set a goal to attend a church at least once a month. It didn’t take long before we were fully committed and still serve in our church thirty years later. Don’t wait for your husband to decide, research churches in your area and make a plan to attend on a specific Sunday. I’ll be praying for you and your family.
When I moved to a new city 6, almost 7 years ago, finding a church was a high priority. Then COVID was here. I would tell my husband the importance to me to find a church, but he was kinda lackadaisical about it. I’ve always been the one that got the family up and going to my old church. I longed for it to be a priority to my husband. Darn if the devil didn’t do an obvious obstruction to the search. EVERY Sat night we would inevitably get in a fight. So then going to church didn’t happen. That went on for months. I had searched 5 churches to try by the internet and looking to make sure their beliefs lined up with the Bible. I took a big action step by going by myself to one, and then another. The second I really liked and I prayed for God to reveal it to my husband. I ended up streaming it live the next week, and prayed the whole time my husband would like it and want to go! Afterwards he did say…I really like that pastor! It was hard to get ready and go to a church for the first time. It’s weird. Yet, it shouldn’t be. (I have gone to many, but usually I like to be with someone…not solo!) So I can only imagine for someone that really doesn’t know the church world.
You have a child though…so to me, that makes it easier. People instantly go to your child and break the ice! So GO dear Kim! Step out in faith and just try one every Sunday for a few weeks! God will help you and guide you. It’s actually really fun to try churches! Look for a few this week and we will pray for you!!
Like you said…you need your child in that environment now that he won’t have it at school!
This is exactly what I needed to hear today! ❤️Thank you for sharing this experience because mine has been non-traditional at best as well. Praying for your little one as he transitions to public school. God will walk ahead of him in all things.
I’m so thankful for the fellowship of believers. There is strength, love, encouragement, productivity, accountability and so much more when believers are in fellowship. Gathering together each morning, even though it’s not face to face, with all you, is a gift from God. We learn, we pray for each other, we rejoice when we see answered prayers and we grow in our faith. I’m also thankful for my church and my fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord. I’m running late for work this morning but will be praying for all the request. Have a great day.
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I think it’s such a blessing to feel such empathy for others that we bear similar emotions to them as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:26!! As the Lord softens our hearts, we grow in our capacity to be His hands and feet… to celebrate others victories, to mourn alongside them, and to simply sit with them in seasons of doubt, joy, etc. thank you Lord!!
Amen
the lord’s supper
Amen❤️
God called me into fellowship with Jesus from the moment I surrendered my heart to Him. By placing my faith in Jesus’ sacrifice for my sin, I entered that fellowship.
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That fellowship with Jesus as the head connects me to other believers in the Church like a body is connected to its head. All parts have a role that makes the whole function as intended.
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Today’s reading emphasizes that the story of redemption is not individualistic, but is communal. God sent Jesus to save the WORLD, of which I am just one member.
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Praying for your requests. May Paul’s words from today’s reading fill your thoughts today “God is faithful.”
God, out of His abundant kindness, chose to save us! He adopts us into his family as sons and daughters! He places us into His family and tells us how we ought to live life—honoring Him by serving and loving one another in the body! We were saved from our sin to a new and living way—a way of love, community, and purposeful life together!
Amen, said perfectly Kayla!
Amen ❤️
1 Corinthians 12 “For in one Spirit we were baptized into one body” . This message of unity is so refreshing and necessary in a world that often tries to divide believers! ❤️
Because of God’s great mercy and grace, we are chosen to be baptized into the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! Not because of our ethnicity, not because of any special gift or talent we may have, not because of any social standing or power, but completely out of the mercy of God. Each member of the body is redeemed in this manner and so we become the family of God, His body, the Church.
Father, help us to live as grateful people forever showing Your great love and mercy to the world around us!
Praise God, we are all chosen and redeemed in Christ Jesus, Amen!
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