Reflect
Once you've watched the featured video, take time to reflect on these questions.
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What five problems does Paul’s letter define for the church in Corinth? (Video 00:38-7:57)
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What five responses does Paul offer to address the problems in the Corinthian church? (Video 1:44-7:57)
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How would you summarize Paul’s reaction to the idea that Jesus’ resurrection did not happen or matter? (Video 7:02-7:55 or read 1 Corinthians 15:12-19)
Go Deeper
Paul writes to the church in Corinth to address some big problems: division, sexual misconduct, confusion about food and worship practices, and controversy surrounding Jesus’ resurrection. Paul says these issues can be resolved because Jesus is alive. But how does Jesus’ resurrection relate to people’s daily life choices? Jesus teaches non-violence, unity, and self-giving love, but if his life ended with a brutal execution, who is to say he’s right and worth following? The fact that Jesus is alive proves that his selfless way is better—not even death can shut it down. Self-centered practices damage the community, but Jesus’ life gives people real reasons for unity and sexual integrity and the power to love others. His resurrection tells his followers that they too have an abundant future beyond death. This is just the beginning—his life opens a view to a whole new reality. The promise of new life, new bodies, a new Heaven, and a new Earth gives us a new way of seeing every aspect of daily life with hope and purpose.
Read: 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, Isaiah 25:8, Revelation 19:7-9, Revelation 21:1-7
- 1 Corinthians 15 quotes the scroll of Isaiah, an ancient text that is also alluded to in John’s Revelation. After observing each passage, what do these texts have in common?
- What does God promise to do in each passage?
- Review 1 Corinthians 15:58 in light of these promises. How do God’s promises help a follower of Jesus understand that a life lived in unity, integrity, and love is purposeful?
- Let’s take time now to thank God while we acknowledge where we need help, responding to the hope of his resurrection and promises.
Paul issues a challenge to Jesus followers in Corinth.
Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians is written to a specific group of people with unique challenges in their community. But the primary message of 1 Corinthians is evergreen—followers of Jesus are held to a standard of integrity and morality as we seek to represent his new way of life to our communities. Paul addresses a variety of experiences and seeks to help the church see them through the lens of the Gospel message. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are what unifies a diverse body of believers and allows us to live in a completely new way fused with the hope of God’s Kingdom.
The Gospel Changes Everything
1 Corinthians challenges believers to examine every area of life through the lens of the Gospel. Specifically, Paul addresses divisions among believers, food, sexual integrity, worship gatherings, and the resurrection.
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