CONNECT: How can you give yourself ‘more fully’ to the work of the Lord (on one of your frontlines) this week?

WARM-UP

1. Have you ever had the experience of being in a church service in which you couldn’t understand much of what was happening? What was it like? How did you feel?

Read 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

1. What was “the collection for the Lord’s people”? How did it connect with the Corinthians’s faith?
2. How were the Corinthians to set aside money for this gift? What are the key principles of Christian generosity?
3. Also looking at Galatians 6:9-10, do you grow weary in your generosity? How can this be overcome?
4. Towards whom should we, as Christians, be generous?

Read 1 Corinthians 16:5-12

1. Why did Paul want to spend time with the Corinthians, and why was he delayed?
2. Why would Timothy fear visiting the Corinthians again? How does Paul compare Timothy’s ministry to his, and what is the significance of this?
3. Why would Apollos be reluctant to visit Corinth at this particular time? What does this say about the Corinthian church?
4. How can we respect the leaders in our church who exercise authority over us?
5. What would the consequences be of attempting to usurp the Godly authority of our leaders?
6. How is our church’s mission and unity connected?

Read 1 Corinthians 16:13-18

1. What are the five short messages Paul gives to the Corinthians? Does one speak particularly to you?
2. Why are these messages so relevant to the Corinthians?
3. How can we be on guard and stand firm in the faith? How can we be strong and courageous?
4. How can make sure that everything among us is done in love?

APPLY:  How can we live in such a way that refreshes the spirit of our leaders and our brothers and sisters in Christ?

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On Your Frontline This Week: Amongst the people you see week to week, who seems like they would never be interested in Jesus? Pray and invite them to Alpha.

Listen, Watch, and Read:          

• AUDIO: “What are the Gospel’s Priorities?” By John Stott
• AUDIO: Four-Part Series on 1 Corinthians 16 by Dick Lucas:
  1 Corinthians 16:1-4 // 1 Corinthians 16:5-12 // 1 Corinthians 16:14-24 // 1 Corinthians 16:15-16
  

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Series:

• Series Overview Published by St Bart’s
• Website: “First Corinthians” by the Bible Project
• Course: “1 Corinthians” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course)