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 Corinthians 9:1-14. What does Paul say about himself? How does he view the group he is writing to (from this passage or previous context through the book)?
• What problem or circumstance does Paul refer to? What examples does he give to make his point? What do the different examples have in common?
• Whose authority does Paul appeal to or reference? What does this reveal about Paul’s view of his role with the original audience and his work among them?
• What does Paul say that he is willing to endure for the sake of his audience? What could that mean for Paul with regard to the point he is making?

Prayerfully Meditate

• Initially, what did you think about what Paul said about himself and the point he appears to be making? What makes it acceptable for Paul to speak the way he does in this passage?    
• How do you view yourself and your role in the church in light of this letter? How do you view those in roles of authority over you?  How could this passage address pride, either from within the leader of the church or from individuals in the congregation?
• What reservations or objections would an unbeliever that you know have to this passage? Using this passage or the context of this letter, how would you address those concerns or objections?