May 16-21
I Corinthians 1-10
GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.
Monday, May 16 1 Corinthians 1-2 Read & Listen Online 1 Corinthians 1 Read & Listen Online 1 Corinthians 2 (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. Review 1 Corinthians 1:4-7. Paul writes that he “always” (v. 4) thanks God for the congregation at Corinth. For what specific things does he thank God in verses 4, 5, 6, and 7?
Tuesday, May 17 1 Corinthians 3-4 Read & Listen Online 1 Corinthians 3 Read & Listen Online 1 Corinthians 4 (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. The term “servant” Paul uses originally referred to a slave who served as a house manager or steward of his owner’s possessions. In 1 Corinthians 4:1, Paul says he and his co-workers are entrusted with “the secret things of God.” The word secret is often translated as mystery, referring to something that can be known only when God reveals it. How does God reveal His mysteries to us? (See Romans 16:25-27; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13.)
Wednesday, May 18 1 Corinthians 5-6 Read & Listen Online 1 Corinthians 5 Read & Listen Online 1 Corinthians 6 (Click “Audio” link to listen)
3. Paul compares the presence of the man persisting in unrepentant sin to yeast that must be thrown out so that it does not work its way through an entire batch of dough (1 Corinthians 5:6-7). Yeast (or leaven) here is symbolic of sin. This illustration refers to the practice commanded by God in the Old Testament of sweeping the leavened bread crumbs out of the house before preparing the Passover meal, which included unleavened (yeast-free) bread. Try to describe how tolerating sinful behavior within a group can work like yeast in a batch of dough.
Thursday, May 19 1 Corinthians 7 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
4. Review 1 Corinthians 7:3-6. What understanding about the nature of the marriage relationship is stated in this passage?
Friday, May 20 1 Corinthians 8-9 Read & Listen Online 1 Corinthians 8 Read & Listen Online 1 Corinthians 9 (Click “Audio” link to listen)
5. In 1 Corinthians 8:1 Paul writes of himself, the Corinthians, and all Christians that “we all possess knowledge.” Paul summarizes the knowledge he is referring to in verses 4b-6. Why is knowledge alone inadequate to a right relationship with God? (See James 2:19).
Saturday, May 21 1 Corinthians 10 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
6. Follow Paul’s line of thought in 1 Corinthians 10:25-30. Why does Paul say it is all right to eat meat bought in the marketplace, whether it was offered to idols or not?
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