Immanuel Church

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Read 1 Corinthians 4:1-51. Does the term “servant of Christ” apply only to vocational pastors or all Christians?2. How does the pastor’s identity as a servant and as a steward shape how you view your pastors?3. How should a pastor’s identity (servant and steward) shape their practice? How does this shape what is essential?4. How does the phrase “It is the Lord who judges me” (v 4) stir inside of you? How does this give you freedom when you feel others judge you incorrectly?5. Is it ever right and good to judge others? How do you make this determination?6. Are you inclined in life to have judgmental thoughts about other believers? How should this help you when you have judgmental thoughts towards others?7. How would you define “success” for a career pastor and a local church?8. Is there a difference between being a successful pastor and a faithful pastor?9. Even though you may not be in vocational ministry, in what ways can you personally live as a servant and steward of God's mysteries in your daily life?10. How does this passage change how you pray for and encourage your pastors?

1 Corinthians 3:16-23

1) What great privilege do we have? (being the children of God and the Temple of God.) What then is our great responsibility?2) What does it mean to say that the church is the temple of God and that the Holy Spirit dwells in us?3) What are some examples of how people might "defile" or “destroy” God's temple (the church) in Corinth? Today?4) How does this passage challenge the divisions and factions within the Corinthian church (and potentially within our own)?5) According to this passage “what are you?” Why is this important to know?6) According to this passage “where are you?” How does where we are tend to deceive us?7) According to this passage “Whose are you?” What does it mean to say that all things are yours?8) How is Knowing what we are and whose we are be a great protector against deceit in living where we are?

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Read I Corinthians 3:10-151. The assumption in this passage is that every believer is to help build the church. How have you been engaged in that process? Why do you think Paul commands believers to "take care" in this matter?2. In verse 11 Paul declares that Jesus Christ is the foundation of the church. What are some implications of this truth? Is a church really a church if it does not preach the true gospel?3. Read I Corinthians 2:1-5. How has the "wood, hay, straw" of human wisdom crept into the church? How could/should the "gold, silver, precious stones" of biblical truth be utilized to build the church?4. Have you thought much about standing before the Lord to give an account for how you have lived your Christian life and served the Lord? What thoughts does this Day engender? How does/should this coming Day motivate you to greater service.5. Spend some time praying specifically for opportunities to build God's church this week. Allow the Bema Seat of Christ to motivate you to greater and more careful service.

1 Corinthians 3:1-9

1. According to 3:1-3, what makes a believer a spiritual baby? What happens when thechurch begins to associate spiritual maturity with knowledge rather than godlycharacter?2. What has God given to the church so that believers can grow into maturity?3. Is it surprising that Paul highlights envy and strife as signs of spiritual immaturity? Whyare they so dangerous to us as individuals and to the church as a body?4. Why is carnal Christianity inauthentic Christianity? What is the solution?5. What role does God have in your growth? What role do you have? What can you dodaily to continue to grow in your walk with Jesus?6. What role has the Lord currently given you to serve the church? Are you serving theLord well in this role?

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

1. What is the difference between the wisdom of the people and the wisdom of the Spirit (God)?2. Can we know true wisdom on our own or does it need to be revealed?3. What is the difference between the spiritual person and the natural person?4. How essential is the Holy Spirit for salvation? What about Christian living?5. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit’s activity in your life, even if you didn’t know at the time that it was him?6. Do you have the mind of Christ? How do you know? How does this affect the way you think? How can you nurture the mind of Christ within you?

Acts 13:1-3

1. Reflect on a time when you felt a clear leading or direction from the Holy Spirit in your own life. How did you discern it? How did you respond? What impact did it have on your faith journey?2. Discuss the significance of sending and supporting missionaries to spread the gospel. Have you ever considered that God may be calling you to global missions? How can you practically participate (hold the rope) in missions even if you can’t go?3. How can you be more strategic in your prayer and encouragement to our Strategic Partners?4. Even if you are not called to “go” globally, you are still called to Live Sent here. Who are you intentionally praying for their salvation and for opportunities to share the gospel with?5. Where are you serving for the Kingdom of God? Where are you serving at Immanuel? Have you ever considered serving with one of our Strategic Local Partners?6. Reflect on the impact of the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence in your own life and in the life of your church community. What do you need to do in your life to be more sensitive to the Spirit’s leading? In what ways can you live more sacrificially for the work of the gospel?7. In what ways have you seen the Holy Spirit working through you and others to spread the gospel and make a difference?

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

1 What do you think about this idea that you are a preacher? And how does that realitychange the way you engage with this text?2 Since we are all preachers, what are some practical implications of the fact that themighty message is carried through relational pursuit? (Consider - Who are youpursuing, and how are you pursuing them?)3 How does the manner of Paul’s preaching differ to a TED talk or contemporary forms of
rhetoric? What is the difference between effective communication and human-centered rhetoric?
4 How does Paul’s clear preaching focus on who Jesus was and what Jesus did help youas you think about sharing your faith with others?5 Is Paul arguing against articulate preaching in churches? If not, what is he trying toargue against?6 Why is honest humility so important when it comes to preaching the message ofChrist? How might you see God using your story to highlight His grace in Christ?7 How would you articulate the Gospel in a simple clear way to someone today?

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

1. What is the message of the cross? What happens to the Bible and Christianity without the cross?2. In what ways have you witnessed the message of the cross perceived as “folly” or “foolishness” to the world around you? How can you respond with wisdom and grace?3. How does one move from thinking that the message of the cross is foolishness to believing that it is the power of God?4. If “true wisdom comes from God, and human wisdom is insufficient,” how does this truth challenge our tendency to rely on our own understanding? What areas of your life require greater dependence on God’s wisdom?5. If “our worth and identity are found in who we are in Christ,” how does this truth liberate you from the need for worldly achievements or recognition? What steps can you take to more fully live out your identity in Christ?6. Consider the ways that Christ is our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. How does meditating on these aspects of Christ’s work impact your daily life and perspective?7. In what areas of your life are you tempted to “boast” in your own wisdom, strength, or accomplishments? How can you cultivate a heart that boasts only in the Lord?8. Reflect on the example of humility and obedience set by Jesus. What practical steps can you take to follow His example more closely, even in the face of suffering or sacrifice?9. How can you more fully rely on the indwelling Holy Spirit for wisdom, guidance, and strength in your daily life? What practices or habits can you develop to be more attentive to the Spirit’s leading?10. In what ways can you more actively engage with the community of believers, seeking encouragement, accountability, and opportunities to build others up in their faith?11. After studying this passage, what specific areas of your life or character do you sense the Lord calling you to change or address? How can you respond in obedience and trust in His transforming power?

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

1. In what ways does division in the church distort the gospel and ruin the church'sreputation? How does unity promote the gospel to a lost world?2. What does it mean to be of the "same understanding" and "same conviction"?3. In what ways do Christians attempt to justify their divisive and quarrelsomeattitudes?4. What issues are Christians currently quarreling and dividing over?5. Does the idea of unity in the church mean there must be complete agreement onevery issue? Why or why not? What are the essentials that Christians must beunited around? What can we disagree over while still preserving unity? And whatcan we biblically, yet peacefully, divide over?6. What is ultimately behind divisiveness and quarreling within the body of Christ?7. In what does Jesus exemplify the perfect pursuit of unity?

1 Corinthians 1:4-9

Read 1 Corinthians 1:4-91. Why do you think Paul starts his letter off with such gratitude for God’s grace given to the Corinthians? How is God’s grace seen and confirmed in the lives of the church? (Salvation; alignment of Word and Action; Gifts)2. What do you think it means to be ‘enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge’? (verse 5)3. Have you ever considered what spiritual (grace) gifts God has given you for the service of His kingdom? What are yours? How are you using them?4. What do you think it means when Paul says they ‘are not lacking in any gift’? (verse 7)5. In verse 7, what were the Corinthian believers “eagerly waiting for”? Is this something that you are eagerly waiting for? Why or why not?6. Where is the basis of Paul’s thanksgiving? Who does he thank? Who gave them grace? In whom were they enriched? Who sustains? Who is faithful? Who called them into fellowship?7. If Paul’s thanksgiving is really based in the faithfulness of God, what does that mean for you when you might not be in the healthiest place?