Prepare your heart for Sunday by looking through these suggestions that will assist you in making the most of our time together.
You will find suggestions for thinking more critically through the passage, meditating more intently on the text, and tangibly putting scripture to action in your personal life, and in our corporate body.
Carefully Think
- Read 1 Cor 1:1-25. Pay special attention to vv. 17-25. Looking at the passage we studied last week, and remembering the historical context in Acts 18:1-19:1 what were the divisions caused by? Notice the shift in v. 17 that transitions us into vv. 18-25. What did Paul say would empty the cross of its power? Why would eloquent wisdom empty the cross of its power? (Look to vv. 18-25!)
- What does Paul contrast in this passage? What does he say regarding man’s wisdom? What does he say regarding the cross and the message of the cross?
- Why would the word of the cross be folly or foolish to those who are perishing? What does it mean that the cross is the power of God to those who are being saved?
- What are the contrary “approaches” to God described in v. 21? What does this tell us about how God saves people and why is this important?
- What is it that the Jews and Greeks desire (v. 22)? What is the offer of the gospel and the responses from these groups (v. 23)? What makes the difference for those who Christ is the power and wisdom of God for (v. 24)? Is this something that they do, or is this something that God does? Why is this important?
- The Sermon Study equipping class notes are available online for anyone wanting to dig deeper. Please review this week's notes to help study the text. Click here for the notes.
Prayerfully Meditate
- What does this passage say about man’s wisdom and God’s wisdom? Are they compatible? Should we ever try to blend them together? Why is the wisdom of man foolishness to God?
- What does this passage say about how unbelievers respond to the gospel? How should that impact us as we seek to share the gospel with those around us? Should we be surprised when we are mocked and told our message is foolish?
- In light of this passage should we seek to make our message look good in the eyes of the intellectuals of the world? Why is this a futile endeavor?
Intentionally Act
- Pray that we would rightly respond to and submit to God’s Word. Often times we think about this in terms of action and doing and responding properly always results in action, but often responding rightly to God’s Word means adjusting the way we think.
- Pray that the Lord would show us how to rightly think about the message of the cross and the foolishness of man’s wisdom. Pray that our sinful pride wouldn’t hinder us from submitting to God’s Word on this, or any point.
- Pray that the message of the cross would continue to be proclaimed at Summit Woods and that the Lord would give us the courage to proclaim it this week even in light of a world that considers that message foolishness.
- Read through the lyrics and practice the songs with a mind towards unity in the church, not creating divisions in the church based on preferences, but one mind and one body in Christ worshipping in unity to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
- Pray for those leading our corporate gathering this week and for the Holy Spirit’s work as the Word of God is further explained and applied: Dawson Bryant: music; Brett Harris: Elders' prayer and Scripture reading; Bret Capranica: teaching.
Songs for Sunday
Lyrics
Lyrics Morning Gathering - October 9, 2016 by Summit Woods Baptist Church on Scribd