Prepare your heart for the Sermon by looking through these suggestions that will assist you in making the most of our time together hearing God's Word.
You will find suggestions for thinking more critically through the passage, meditating more intently on the text, and prayerfully seeking wisdom to deepen your understanding of the passage to be preached this Sunday.
Carefully Think
- Read 1 Cor 10:1-30 paying close attention to vv. 23-30. Notice the quotation marks
around the phrase "all things are lawful for me." Where have we seen that phrase
before in 1 Corinthians, and why is it in quotes in both places? - What is Paul's response in this passage to the Corinthians mantra, "All things are
lawful for me"? How does Paul’s response set the tone for the whole passage?
What command immediately follows his responses in v. 24? How do these first
two verses resound with what Paul has taught on the topic of idolatry and eating
food offered to idols? - What are the two new scenarios that Paul brings up in vv. 25-28? How is the
response that Paul gives similar to the response(s) he has given so far in 1
Corinthians? How are they different? Why is there a difference? What is the
overarching principle that governs the various situations Paul has brought up in ch.
8-10? - What two questions does Paul conclude this week's passage with? What is he
teaching us with these questions? Look ahead to next week’s passage (10:31-11:1).
How does that help you understand the conclusion to this week's passage? - The Sermon Study equipping class notes are available online for anyone wanting to dig deeper. Please review this week's notes to help study this passage. Click here for the notes.
Prayerfully Meditate
- How is v. 24 a helpful summary of the message of the whole passage, and the
overarching principle that Paul uses to address the issues he has brought up in ch.
8-10? How do the reasons that Paul gives in v. 26 and at the end of v. 28 shape our
understanding of the passage? - What is your initial heart reaction when you are faced with a situation regarding
your liberty as a Christian? How do those responses reveal the selfish, sinful
tendency Paul is teaching against in this passage? How does this passage correct
your understanding of what your response should be? - According to this passage, what should our priorities be? How do ch. 8-10, as well
as the passage following this one help us see the gospel as our priority? In what
areas of your life is self the priority instead of the ultimate good of others in the
gospel?