1 Corinthians 12:8-31
Are you ready for an anatomy lesson? Paul uses the metaphor of the human body to get the Corinthians to see that their greatest weakness could also be their greatest strength. The differences they were dividing themselves over could just as easily bring unity. Just like parts of the body, each member has the choice to work toward either the benefit of or detriment to the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:1-7
Heartfelt gifts are always special to receive. God wanted the Corinthians’ hearts, not just their talent or performance. When we use our gifts for God, they are to be an outward expression of our inner connection with the Holy Spirit and His work in our lives. Today, Dr. McGee teaches us the difference between spiritual gifts and natural abilities, and how the Holy Spirit cannot be absent in either if God is to be glorified.
1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Before Paul gave instruction, he liked to find at least one good thing to compliment the church for. Unfortunately, he could not praise the Corinthians regarding how they conducted the Lord’s Supper. He said, “You come together not for the better, but for the worse.” In today’s lesson, find out why the Corinthians were doing more harm than good when they gathered for the Lord’s Supper and what Paul has to say about it.
1 Corinthians 11:4-16
Your heart matters more to God than your rule-keeping abilities. Since the church at Corinth had experienced a lot of division, Paul taught several customs and standards to uphold in the church. These were offered as a solution to help the Corinthians love each other and stop focusing on their differences. When God’s love is the motive, standards are beneficial. Any other motives could create more division.
1 Corinthians 10:23-11:4
In any diverse group, it can be easy to offend someone—especially in the church. Paul encourages the Corinthians to look out for each other by being considerate. As Christians, God’s love gives us the responsibility to care for the spiritual wellbeing of each other. If that means giving something up because it violates another’s conscience, then that’s okay. But Paul ensures that the motive must be love—not fear or judgment, not people-pleasing. Love.
1 Corinthians 10:1-22
Those who do not learn from history are likely to repeat it. Today on the Bible Bus, Paul teaches the church at Corinth a history lesson. Will the Corinthians learn from the mistakes the children of Israel made? As we are reminded of the idolatry, immorality, and ungratefulness of God’s people in Exodus—heed Paul’s warnings against temptation. But also, take heart in the reminder that “God is faithful.”
1 Corinthians 9:1-27
Are you ready to run? Today on the Bible Bus, Paul likens the Christian life to a race. It’s a race to get the gospel out to as many people as possible. Paul was willing to change his cultural customs, appearance, and his lifestyle if it meant people would hear the gospel. He ran with everything he had, and he invites the church—and us today—to join him.
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
The church at Corinth was a diverse group—Jews, Gentiles, Romans, Greeks, and many others. Before following Christ, people came from different religious and cultural backgrounds. While they all had the same freedom in Christ, they had to be careful not to offend each other. While this “weaker brother principle” can be sensitive to navigate for many Christians today, Dr. McGee puts it simply: “Our liberty is limited by love.”
1 Corinthians 7:20-40
Every good thing in life is from God. If we aren’t careful, sometimes God’s blessings here on earth can become more important to us than a relationship with Him. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul reminds the church not to lose sight of the Creator of all good things.
1 Corinthians 7:1-20
God intended marriage to be a picture of His love for the church—His bride. It didn’t take long for sin to creep in and distort that picture in the church at Corinth. Listen in as Dr. McGee shares Paul’s challenge to the Corinthians to live out love in their marriages and families and to obey God’s call above all else.