"1 Corinthians 8-12"
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Few things are as funny as a good old fashioned pie to the face. And some Hollywood films have taken this classic gag to the extreme, like the 1965 slapstick comedy The Great Race. Marketed as "the greatest pie fight ever," we watch a bakery explode into all-out warfare, lobbing over 4,000 fruit-filled pies at each other.
While there’s nothing wrong with a good food fight, there's nothing funny about the battles we find the Corinthians fighting in this week's readings. And Paul is forced to address their most divisive issues before they wind up at war with each other.
Food Fights
On Monday (1 Cor. 8), we'll find them fighting about whether or not to eat foods sacrificed to idols. Paul encourages them to rethink their personal choices — including what they eat — and avoid anything which would cause a brother to stumble.
- What does "knowledge" do compared to love (1 Cor. 8:1-3)?
- What would you be willing to give up for your brother's soul (1 Cor. 8:13)?
On Tuesday (1 Cor. 9), Paul explains that just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. And he reminds them that he could have asked them to support him financially, but didn't. He considered himself a servant to everyone, continually looking for the best way to approach each person.
- Why did Paul choose not to ask for financial support from them (1 Cor. 9:11-18)?
- What can you learn from Paul's diverse approach to teaching the gospel (1 Cor. 9:19-23)?
And in case you thought Paul was done with the topic of food and idols, on Wednesday (1 Cor. 10), we'll revisit the subject with a strong warning to stay pure from outside evil influences. As long as we're thankful for the food and it won't offend someone, Paul gives the all-clear to eat! But he also commands them not to have fellowship in an idol feast, comparing it to our communion in the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 10:14-17)!
- How does the example of the Israelites in the wilderness change the way you live (1 Cor. 10:6-12)?
- What should be our guiding principle in everything we do (1 Cor. 10:31-33)?
Family Feuds
On Thursday (1 Cor. 11), the topic changes to fights surrounding their fellowship. He deals with the roles of men and women in the assembly, and how to maintain holiness and proper order. Next, he charges them with misusing the Lord's Supper, since they were treating it as an everyday meal and not waiting for each other.
- What do we learn about authority from Paul's conversation about head coverings (1 Cor. 11:2-16)?
- How can division impact the way we worship together — especially in taking the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11:18-22)?
And addressing the various abilities they'd been given by the Holy Spirit, on Friday (1 Cor. 12), we'll see how even these God-given gifts were a source of division. Paul says that since we all have the same Spirit, we're all part of one body (1 Cor. 12:13) — and every body part is crucial. But as he lists the various roles in the church, he closes out the week with a cliffhanger: "But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way" (1 Cor. 12:31).
- What's the common thread in the diversity of all our gifts and abilities (1 Cor. 12:4-7)?
- How does Paul's comparison of the church to a human body teach us to work together (1 Cor. 12:14-26)?
