1 Corinthians 1:26-31 _Study Guide

The Text: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 

 ²⁶For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. ²⁷But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; ²⁸God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, ²⁹so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. ³⁰And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, ³¹so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Write a brief definition of the following words:

• Wise  -
  Powerful -
  Noble -
• Foolish -
  Weak -
  Low –

2. Paul says the Corinthians did not possess the first three attributes in the previous list but they did possess the others. Why do you think Paul is making this comparison and what is its relevance for your local Christian community?

3. Verse 29 tells us God has removed any grounds we may have thought we had for boasting in our own self-sufficiency. Why has he done it this way? Is this true in your own life? If so, how? If not, why not and what should you do?
   
   
4. Verse 30 tells us Christ is our:
   - wisdom from God
   - righteousness
   - sanctification
   - redemption

This is deeply significant! Reflect on the truth of this. Speak with the others in your group about what the practical implications are for these facts. Discuss together about how our lives would look if we lived as if we believed these things with our whole heart. Try not to do this in an overly negative and critical way but rather in a positive and challenging way; focus on the potential beauty of a life lived this way!

4. After talking about the previous question openly, you are highly encouraged to thank God for this reality – celebrate these things and praise Him together for the incredible benefits of being in Christ.

BONUS QUESTIONS

1.    What can the church do practically to ensure that preaching stays cross-centered and that any new techniques do not affect the actual substance of the message?

2.    What can you personally do to make sure that your culture’s standards for importance (wisdom, power, money, etc.) do not make inroads into your own heart?

 REFLECTION QUOTES

 "Any attempt to make the gospel palatable by bringing it into line with the tastes of those to whom it is preached distorts it, because in this case the criterion is made the expectations of fallen humanity." - Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, 1 Corinthians (Glazier, 1979).

"The cross thus stands as the final negation of all human attempts to attain God. Its truth cannot be achieved through the best of human intellect and strength but must be received as a gift in the humble submission of faith and trust." - John Polhill, The Wisdom of God and Factionalism