Pastor Ralph

Q3. (1 Corinthians 11:26) In what way is the Lord’s Supper a proclamation? To whom is the proclamation made? Why is this important? What happens to the church when its proclamation shifts to a different central theme?

Q2. (1 Corinthians 11:25) What does the phrase mean: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood”? What is the old covenant? What are the provisions of the New Covenant?

Note: Believers differ on some of these topics. Be loving in your responses, even though you might disagree. Q1. (1 Corinthians 11:23-25) Why is it so important that we continually remember Christ’s broken body and shed blood? In what sense do you believe that the bread is his body? That the wine is his blood?

Q5. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) What point is Paul trying to make by using athletic analogies? What place does self-discipline have in our effectiveness as Christian workers? What place does self-discipline have in keeping us from falling into gross sin, such as idolatry? How might lack of self-discipline disqualify us for all God has for us?

Q4. (1 Corinthians 9:15-22) Why did Paul “become all things to all men”? What was his purpose? Was he able to be authentic in doing so? What is the difference between Paul’s chameleon ministry and mere role-playing? What are you willing to give up so that you can reach the people God has called you to minister to?

Q3. (1 Corinthians 9:15-18) Why doesn’t Paul have a personal choice about preaching? Will volunteer and bi-vocational Christian workers receive a greater reward in heaven than those who are paid here on earth? If so, why? If not, why not?

Q2. (1 Corinthians 9:13-14) Why did Jesus command his disciples to receive support on their journeys? What scriptural obligation do Christian congregations have to do their best to support their pastor – and, if possible, other workers? What accountability will church board members experience when they pay their pastor less than they should?

Q1. (1 Corinthians 9:4-12) Why does Paul argue for the right of apostles and other Christian workers to be supported, if he has decided not to exercise this right himself? Why would it hinder missionary work for a missionary to expect his new converts to support him?

Q5. (1 Corinthians 10:19-21) The beings behind idols are not real gods, according to 1 Corinthians 8:4. What kind of beings does this passage say they are? What then is the spiritual danger to us of participating in idol worship (or the occult, for that matter)?

Q4. (1 Corinthians 10:18) In what way did the priests participate in the altar by eating of the Old Testament sacrifices? How does Paul connect this observation with our participation with Christ’s sacrifice?

Q3. (1 Corinthians 10:16-18) What does koinōnia mean? What does it mean to “participate” or “share” in the blood of Christ? Or in the body of Christ?

Q2. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13) What about our human make-up causes us to face temptation? What does this passage teach about our temptations? What does it teach us about God’s help in temptation?

Q1. (1 Corinthians 8:1-8) The 'liberal' Corinthians had ready excuses for why it was okay to eat with their friends in feasts held in pagan temples. What were their excuses that Paul combats in verse 1-6? Sometimes we excuse our own questionable behaviors. How can we assess the validity of our excuses? What effect would observing your behavior have on new Christians?

Q4. (1 Corinthians 7:25-35) The disadvantages of remaining unmarried include being deprived of sexual relations. What are the advantages of celibacy that Paul discusses in these verses? How can married believers maximize “full devotion” to the Lord?

Note: Sincere Christians disagree about allowable grounds for divorce. In your discussion, be sure to show love even when you might disagree. Q3. (1 Corinthians 7:10-16) What do these verses teach about divorce for married believers? What about divorce where one spouse isn’t a believer? What about remarriage?

Q2. (1 Corinthians 7: 9 and 37) What do verses 9 and 37 teach about sex between couples who are engaged but not married? What counsel does Paul give to engaged couples who do not control themselves sexually?

Q1. (1 Corinthians 7:1-6) Why does Paul concede that “it is good for a man not to touch a woman”? What does he teach about sexual intercourse within marriage? How does he teach mutual rights within marriage, not just a man’s right? What does this passage teach about using sex as a bargaining chip within marriage?

Q5. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) What are the implications of the truth that you don’t belong to yourself, but to God? What category does it put us in if we resist that truth?

Q4. (1 Corinthians 6:13b-15) What does it mean that “your bodies are members of Christ himself”? What are the implications of that with regard to sexual sin? What are the implications of that with regard to your ministry?

Q3. (1 Corinthians 6:11) Why is the gospel such good news to those who have been involved in gross sin? On what basis can a person be forgiven? On what basis can a person be cleansed from sin?

Q2. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) What does the scripture teach here about participating in homosexual acts? What does the scripture teach about heterosexual immorality? Why is repentance so important for a believer?

Q1. (1 Corinthians 6:1-8) How does it hurt the Christian cause when Christians take each other to court? How should disputes be settled between believers? How might this be instituted in a local congregation? Among churches in a geographical region?

Q4. (1 Corinthians 5:9-13) According to this passage, with which sinners should we be willing to associate? Why make a distinction between unbelievers and believers? What are the dangers of associating with unbelievers? What are the dangers of associating with unrepentant believers?

Q3. (1 Corinthians 5:6-7) How does the presence of openly sinning members affect others in the body? We might use the analogy of a “bad apple.” What in Paul’s background might explain his use of “getting rid of yeast”?

Q2. (1 Corinthians 5:2b-5) What are levels of correction and discipline short of excommunication? Who should exercise that kind of correction? What do we do when a sinning member repents? Why is excommunication sometimes necessary? Why are we so unwilling to exercise it in our day?