Warnings from Israel's History - 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Understand It
- Why did Paul refer to Israel’s history? (10:1)
- How do the Israelites serve as examples to us? (10:1-6)
- How were the ancient Israelites baptized? (10:2)
- What was the Israelites’ spiritual food and drink? (10:3)
- Who was the "rock" that accompanied the Israelites in the wilderness? (10:4)
- How was the Israelites’ rock in the wilderness significant? (10:4)
- How did God feel about the Israelites in the wilderness? (10:5)
- Why did God record the experiences of the Israelites? (10:6, 11)
- What evil actions cost many of the Israelites their lives? (10:7-10)
- Why should we care what happened to the ancient Israelites? (10:11)
- What warning did Paul give the Corinthians? Why? (10:12)
- Why is it important that all the temptations Christians face are common to everyone? (10:13)
- How is God faithful? (10:13)
- How does God help us when we are tempted? (10:13)
Apply It
- What escape route has God provided for a specific temptation you face?
- What promise or warning do you want to remember to help you stand up under temptation this week?
Idol Feasts and the Lord's Supper - 1 Corinthians 10:14-22
Understand It
- What importance did Paul assign to Communion? (10:14-17)
- What is the cup of thanksgiving? (10:16)
- How can a Christian participate in the body of Christ? (10:16)
- How can a diverse group of Christians remain unified? (10:17)
- Why did Paul refer to Israel’s history? (10:18)
- What did Paul mean when he wrote, "Those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar"? (10:18-22)
- What was Paul’s purpose in discussing idol feasts? (10:18-22)
- What should the Corinthians have known about sacrifices made to idols? (10:19-20)
- Why should we work hard to celebrate the Lord’s Supper only out of devotion to Christ? (10:20-21)
- How can a Christian provoke the Lord to jealousy? (10:22)
Apply It
- What do you want to remember the next time you take Communion?
- What can you do to prepare for the next time you celebrate the Lord’s Supper?
- How can you encourage others to honor only the Lord when celebrating the Lord’s Supper?
- What idols do you need to avoid in your place of work or in your community? How?
The Believer's Freedom - 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1
Understand It
- What are we free to do? How? (10:23)
- What qualifications go with the adage, "Everything is permissible"? (10:23-24)
- What is the guiding principle on our freedom? (10:24)
- How did Paul resolve the dilemma of whether to eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols? (10:25-26)
- What stipulations did Paul place on eating meat served in an unbeliever’s home? (10:27-30)
- What were the Corinthian Christians to do if meat being served to them had been sacrificed to idols? (10:28-29)
- Under what conditions were the Corinthians not to eat meat offered in sacrifice? (10:28-29)
- In what areas of life can we glorify God? (10:31)
- What overriding value governs why we do what we do? (10:33)
- Whose good should we seek? (10:33)
- Whose example should all Christians follow? (11:1)
Apply It
- What is one setting in which you can seek the good of other Christians over your own rights this week? How?
- Which of your buying or spending habits should you change because of its associations? How?
- How could you remember to do every task or activity this week for God’s glory?
