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