Notes: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 (for 12/04 home group)

Discussion

1. Before reading this passage in 1 Corinthians 5, what was your opinion about or experience with judging others? What is the typical public opinion on judging others? (Matthew 7:1-5)
2. From your recollection of Jesus’ encounters with people during his ministry, who did he typically spend time judging? …not judging?
3. How is the church today perceived with respect to judging people outside and inside the church?
4. What happens when a church is more concerned with judging those outside the church than evaluating and dealing with their own behavior?
5. Do you think that believers today typically give one another a “pass” when it comes to calling out sin in their lives? Why or why not?
6. What wrong attitude toward the problem in their church did the Corinthians have? (v 2)
7. What does “hand this man over to Satan” mean and how could that be good for the man? (v 5)
8. From the yeast metaphor (v 6-8) what would have been the result if the church had continued to ignore this man's behavior?
9. What are the goals of the action of expelling the immoral brother as described in this passage?
10. What two conditions should be present before you are ready to judge another believer? (v2, Matthew 7:5)
11. What is the benefit of removing the plank from your own eye before judging another believer?
12. Why are there two different standards for judging - one for Christians and one for those who are not Christians?
13. When we judge people outside the church, who are we acting like? (v 13)
14. How different would the worldview of Christianity be if we got this right?
15. As a believer, and given the understanding of the intent of the passage, do you accept that someday a brother or sister in Christ may judge you? How does that make you feel?

Bottom Line Point(s):

1. Sometimes judging is the loving thing to do.
2. To refuse to judge is to fail to love.

How can you apply what you’ve learned here?

1. How does your attitude towards those outside the church need to be adjusted?
2. How does your attitude towards those inside the church need to be adjusted?
3. Who is a Christian in your life headed in the wrong direction? What is your responsibility to him or her? What will you do to help this person get back on the right track?

Biliography

1. Barton & others, "Life Application Bible Commentary: 1&2 Corinthians"
2. MacArthur, "1 Corinthians: Godly Solutions for Church Problems"
3. "Serendipity Study Bible for Groups"
4. “Life Application Study Bible, NIV”
5. Tyler Jones, Vintage21 Church, Sermon on same topic 11/18/07
6. Andy Stanley, North Point Community Church, “Judgment Call: Double Standard,” 10/27/07
7. Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church, “Judging Like Jesus,” 2006
   

Notes: 1 Corinthians 4:14-17 (for 11/13 home group)

Men: Husband and Father

Men are:

• 5 times more likely to commit violent crimes
• More likely to be Imprisoned –90% of prisoners
• Murdered –79% of murder victims
• Commit Suicide –4 times more likely
• Illegal Drugs –3 times more likely
• Drinking problem –5 times more likely an alcoholic

40% of 25 million children grow up without a father. Fatherless homes account for:

• 90% of runaway children
• 71% of high school dropouts
• 85% of youths in prison
• More than half of teen mothers
• 70% of prisoners

Verses

1 Corinthians 4:14-17, 1 Peter 3:7, Ephesians 5:25-33, Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:21, Proverbs 4, Proverbs 13:24, Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Genesis 18:18-19

Discussion

1. The husband is to treat his wife in a certain way (Eph. 5: 25-31, I Pet. 3: 7).
2. There is more to fatherhood than just being responsible for conception. The father is presented in the scriptures as also the leader in the training of the children (Eph. 6: 4, 1, Prov. 4: 1-13).
3. The father should be an example regarding leadership and headship (Eph. 5: 22).
4. The father should be a disciplinarian (Eph. 6: 4, Prov. 13: 24).
5. The father should take a leadership role in teaching his children about God, the plan of salvation, the church, conviction and morals, and living the life of the Christian and general character development (cp. Deut. 6: 6-9).
6. What are the qualities of fatherhood evident in God? How can we model these to the children we care for?
7. Is it necessary to be a biological father, in order to take on the role of a father? Are there any children or young people in our community who lack fathers? How can we help them?
8. What is the role of a father in training a child? What responsibilities does a father have to a child? Do these include spiritual responsibilities? (Consider Genesis 18:18-19, Deuteronomy 6:6-7.)
9. Colossians 3:21 says ‘Fathers, do not embitter (provoke, irritate) your children, or they become discouraged.’ What do you think is meant by this? How can a father create the atmosphere in which a child will flourish into maturity?
10. Sixty-one percent of the people in churches are women. Often, wives are more spiritually engaged (church attendance, prayer, bible reading, etc) than their husbands. Why is that?
11. Women: How important is it to you to have a husband who is growing in spiritual maturity & living out God's commands?

Bottom Line Point(s):

1. God wants men to be men.

How can you apply what you’ve learned here?

1. Men: Man-up
2. Women: Pray for your husbands.

Bibliography

1. “The Bible and Fatherhood,” bibletruths.net.
2. “Bible study: Fatherhood,” by Rev Joe M Kapolyo.
3. Tyler Jones, Sermon on 1 Cor 4:14-21, Nov 11, 2007

Notes: 1 Corinthians 4:1-14 (for 11/06 home group)

Discussion

1. What is the most menial job you ever had? What did you like or dislike about it?
2. How does knowing that God will “bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose he motives of men’s hearts” (v 5) make you feel?
3. Corinthian factions judged one another by the reputation of the leader they followed. What does Paul mean by the saying he quotes in verse 6? (“Do not go beyond what is written?”) How does this apply today?
4. Of everything God has given you, what do you tend to take credit for yourself?
5. How does knowing that our talents are from God keep us from thinking that we are better than others?
6. Is there anything wrong with taking credit for our accomplishments?
7. How would Paul respond to the phrase “God wants you to be happy, healthy, and successful”?
8. In verses 8-13, Paul rather sarcastically compares his situation with the Corinthians’, who have a mistaken idea of wisdom and power. If there were a line between Corinthians (prideful, self-centered, power-oriented) on one end, and Paul (humble, persecuted, slandered, scum of the earth) on the other end, where on the line would you characterize your Christian life? Would you like to be in a different place than you actually are?

Bottom Line Point(s):

1. Don’t judge yourself or others based on who they follow, what they do, or why they do it.
2. Paul wanted Corinthians to turn from their sin and use their talents and resources in service and obedience to Christ.

How can you apply what you’ve learned here?

1. Ask God to reveal your pride and give you a servant’s heart.

Bibliography

1. Barton & others, "Life Application Bible Commentary: 1&2 Corinthians"
2. MacArthur, "1 Corinthians: Godly Solutions for Church Problems"
3. Lucado, “Life Lessons with Max Lucado – Book of 1 Corinthians”
4. "Serendipity Study Bible for Groups"
5. “Life Application Study Bible, NIV”
6. Tyler Jones, Vintage21, Sermon on same topic 11/4/07

Notes: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (for 10/30 home group)

Discussion

1. What does it mean to be “God’s fellow workers?”
2. What usually motivates people to volunteer or serve in the community or church?
3. In what way can we build on the foundation God has laid?
4. What are attributes that describe a church or person built with “gold, silver, and precious stones?”
5. What are attributes that describe a church or person built with “wood, hay, or straw?”
6. Describe what kind of work counts for eternity – ie. What kind of work “survives?”
7. How does this passage compare to what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:24-27?
8. Does it really matter what we do, as long as we are serving somewhere / somehow? (v.13; 2 Cor. 5:9-10)
9. What are you expecting (or hoping for) when you get the Heaven and are judged?
10. On a scale of 1 (straw) to 10 (gold) how sturdy is your spiritual “building?” How does that compare to one year ago?
11. What are you doing to grow as a Christian? What do you need to do?

Bottom Line Point(s):

1. What you do now matters later… to you and to others.

How can you apply what you’ve learned here?

1. Re-evaluate your service and calling and determine if (a) you are building on the foundation of Christ, and (b) are you building with the right materials?
2. Determine if there are some actions you need to take to grow deeper and more mature as a Christ-follower, as discussed in questions 10-11.

Bibliography

1. Barton & others, "Life Application Bible Commentary: 1&2 Corinthians"
2. MacArthur, "1 Corinthians: Godly Solutions for Church Problems"
3. Lucado, “Life Lessons with Max Lucado – Book of 1 Corinthians”
4. "Serendipity Study Bible for Groups"
5. “Life Application Study Bible, NIV”
6. Tyler Jones, Vintage21, Sermon on same topic 10/21/07

Notes: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 (for 10/9 and 10/16 small group)

Discussion

1. Can you think of any examples where people or churches do or should work together with people/churches they disagree with? Are there any limitations to this? Any examples where that is not advisable?


2. Why are cliques and divisions and disagreements in the church so damaging? How big an issue has this been in your church? How has this affected you personally?


3. Do you have any biases for or against styles, methods, preferences, or other churches that are taking a higher priority than they should?
4. If ministries, events, or expectations in church don't work out the way you hoped, how do you handle that? What determines whether you will stick it out, or throw in the towel?
5. What keeps you going?


6. Do you ever put any of your own preferences or expectations above the mission God is calling you to, or the gospel itself?


7. What were the people really saying in v 12?


8. How does church disunity affect unbelievers outside the church? (John 17:20-23)


9. Can you think of any specific practices a church might use to help maintain unity within the church? … between churches?


10. Have you ever held a spiritual leader in such high regard that you, perhaps subconsciously, put more faith in them, than in Christ?


11. In reading verse 17, what advice would Paul have for today’s pastors?
    

Bibliography

1. Barton & others, "Life Application Bible Commentary: 1&2 Corinthians"


2. MacArthur, "1 Corinthians: Godly Solutions for Church Problems"


3. "Serendipity Study Bible for Groups"


4. Tyler Jones, Vintage21, Sermon on same topic


5. Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church, Sermon on same topic

Vintage21 Cary Blog is Open

As announced today, we now have a vintage21cary.com website, which is a blog similar to this one. This will give us a place to have some Cary specific communications. Please check it out when you have a chance.

Tour of Raleigh Rescue Mission 10/02 Tue 6pm

In preparation for a possible service project with the Raleigh Rescue Mission, Bruce Storer has agreed to give us a tour on 10/02 Tue 6pm (314 E Hargett St). I asked if there was anything they needed at this time, and there was. Here is our exchange...

I think you're wise to take your time. Taking a tour as the 1st step will be of great value in that your small group will come away with a greater understanding of the problems of poverty, homelessness & addiction, and of the Mission's ministries. Our experience indicates that this usually helps individuals and groups make volunteer service choices that are more suitable & enjoyable for them.

We urgently need the following:

*Pull-ups
*Men's underwear (size 34-36)
*Men's polo style short sleeve shirts XL and up
*Twin sheet sets
*Shower shoes (men & women)
*Sugar
*Cooking oil

If your group would like to pass on those items, then "gently used" clothing, particularly fall & winter, would be fine.

I encourage you to consider bringing some of these items. Let's shower them with a little love!!

After the tour, we will be having a social time dinner together as a group at the Raleigh Times Bar (14 E. Hargett St.).

Please RSVP to Blain and let me know if you will be coming for the tour, dinner, or both.

Notes: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

1. Why did Paul emphasize that he was an apostle (v1) ?
   Because he was about to give them some strong correction and wanted them to know his authority.
   
2. What did Paul mean when he called the believers “saints” as the ESV and NKJV says in v2: “ 2To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those(C) sanctified in Christ Jesus,(D) called to be saints together with all those who in every place(E) call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: “
   · Saint – not special self-sacrificing Christian selected by a church process
   · Greek for “saint” – hagios, meaning “set apart one” or “holy one”
   · All believers have been sanctified in Christ and are “saints” by calling. The Corinthian believers were holy in God’s sight, regardless of their sinful living.
   · Saints - because they had been sanctified (hagiazo), made holy in Christ Jesus. Saint ~ sanctified
   
3. Based on what you know about Corinth, what do people in the Triangle (or our church) have in common w/ the Corinthians?
   · Wealth? Immorality? Divisions?
   
4. What are some of the spiritual gifts inferred in v7? Which one(s) do you believe you have?
   · Romans 12: giving, leadership, mercy, prophecy, service, teaching
   · 1 Corinthians 12: administration, apostle, discernment, faith, healing, helps, knowledge, prophecy, teaching, tongues
   · Ephesians 4: apostle, evangelism, pastor, prophecy, teaching
   · Misc. Passages: celibacy, martyrdom, missionary, voluntary poverty
   
5. What benefits of grace are you thankful for in the…
   · Past? v4… grace of salvation
   · Present? v5-7… enriched with spiritual gifts, not lacking
   · Future? v8… strong to the end

Bottom Line Point(s):

• When we follow Jesus, we are made holy.
• Christ has got us covered, past, present, and future… We have salvation, are not lacking gifts, keep us strong to the end.

How can you apply what you’ve learned here?

• We need to recognize that we each play a part in the church.
• Need to find our gifts and use them.

Bibliography

1. Barton & others, "Life Application Bible Commentary: 1&2 Corinthians"
2. MacArthur, "1 Corinthians: Godly Solutions for Church Problems"
3. "Serendipity Study Bible for Groups"
4. Tyler Jones, Sermon on same topic