1 Corinthians 13 Study Guide (LOVE Series)

Corinth: The City, The Church, the Letter

THE CITY OF CORINTH

In 44 BC, Julius Caesar refounded Corinth as a Roman colony. Its location on a strategic isthmus made it a financial hub of the ancient world. Much trade passed through Corinth. It became wealthy and cosmopolitan. Corinth's size was about 2.5 square miles. When the gospel was preached there, Corinth's population was ethnically and religiously diverse: cults to ancient deities, mystery religions, and a Jewish community (Acts 18:1-4). As often noted, Corinth had a reputation for immorality in the ancient world.

THE CHURCH OF CORINTH

Paul came to the city around the year AD 50. Opposition forced Paul to leave the synagogue; but several people became believers in Jesus (Acts 18:8). The Christian community met in houses. Many Corinthians (Jews and Gentiles), were baptized into the faith.

PAUL’S LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

Paul confronted the problem of sexual immorality within the Christian community; for example, the incest between a man and his stepmother (1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 6:9-20). Paul called for holiness, explaining that a Christian's body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians regarding meat offered to idols (1 Corinthians 8:12; 10:25) 15) and the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15). Paul also gave counsel on spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1-14:40), especially on the greatest gift—human love grounded in God's love.

               

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Study Guide Questions

Sermon Title: “Nothing without Love”

Sermon Date: February 2, 2014

1 Corinthians 13:1–3

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1.      Verse three tells you that neither giving away all you own or being martyred (burned) would produce any real benefit if not done out of love for Christ and his Bride (the church). And the same thing is said about exercising great gifts, such as tongues, prophecy, knowledge and faith.

·         How is the Holy Spirit using this text to shake you up and challenge you?

·         What are you going to do about it?

2.      Throughout this epistle, Paul exposes the root cause for the Corinthians’ abuse of spiritual gifts: their the failure to love like Christ.

·         Why do those of us in Christ still seem to find it so difficult to be loving? What is wrong with us?

·         How can we apply the gospel in our lives to help each other change this sinful tendency?

3.      Recount an example in your own life where you have experienced some kind of failure due to your own personal lack of love …

·         What did the Lord teach you through that?

·         How did that experience change the way you think and act now?

1 Corinthians 13:4-6 Study Guide

Sermon Title: “LOVE IS …”

Sermon Date: February 09, 2014

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 13:4–6

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant

5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1.      DISCUSS HOW THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS OF LOVE ARE IN LINE WITH THE GOSPEL:

·         PATIENT

·         KIND

·         REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH

·         Are you allowing the Spirit to cultivate these characteristics in your life? Please explain.

·         What about your life currently led you to answer in the way you did? Be honest and specific!

2.      DISCUSS HOW THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS ARE OUT OF STEP WITH THE GOSPEL:

·         ENVIOUS

·         BOASTFUL

·         ARROGANT

·         RUDE

·         INSIST ON OWN WAY

·         IRRITABLE

·         RESENTFUL

·         REJOICE AT WRONGDOING

As you think on these, get at the root reasons these characteristics are contrary to Christ - and sinful.

·         How can you kill these traits in your own heart?

·         How did Jesus display the opposite of these characteristics in his life, death, resurrection and ministry?

1 Corinthians 13:4-6 Study Guide
PART 2

Sermon Title: “LOVE IS NOT …”
Sermon Date: February 16, 2014
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 13:4–6

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant

5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1.      Look at these verse very carefully (if in a group setting, take a few minutes of quiet meditation before beginning the discussion). Now, reflect on your understanding of the concept of love … is it a biblical understanding? How do you know?

2.      Is your definition rooted in Scripture or is it more influenced by other factors? If so, what or who? How do you discern this?

3.      How important is love (love as defined by God) to your life? To the life of your church?

4.      Think on what the 1 Corinthians 13 has to say about love. How can we renew our mind to think of love in the same way the Trinity thinks of love? Remember, the Triune God defines and is love!

1 Corinthians 13:7 Study Guide

Sermon Title: “THE MOST EXCELLENT WAY”

Sermon Date: February 23, 2014

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 13:7

7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1.      John Calvin commented on 13:7 with these words: “This, then, is the most excellent way, when love is the regulating principle of all our actions.”

·         What do you think Calvin meant by love being the regulating principle of our behavior?

·         Is this truly a habit of your heart? Why or why not?

2.      Please give an example of a real life situation which has happened (or even could happen) in which this principle (the primacy of love) can be illustrated practically?

Speak frankly about the difference between how things have turned out when you have followed this most excellent way of allowing love to dominate your actions versus when you have not done so …

3.      Calvin also said this (in relation to this verse):

“…we are naturally too much devoted to self, this vice renders us morose and peevish. The effect is, that every one wishes that others should carry him upon their shoulders, but refuses for his part to assist others. The remedy for this disease is love, which makes us subject to our brethren, and teaches us to apply our shoulders to their burdens. (Galatians 6:2.)”

How did and does Jesus Christ exemplify this principle of bearing and enduring all things? To put it another way: how does Jesus exemplify the most excellent way found in 1 Corinthians 13:7; that of having all of our attitudes and actions be regulated according to the rule of love?

Why should this truth about Jesus drive us to worship, follow, obey and love him even more?

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Study Guide

Sermon Title: “Forever Love”

Sermon Date: March 2, 2014

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

1 Corinthians 13:8–13

8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1.      Survey 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 as a whole. What does this passage have to do with the gospel? With Jesus Christ? How does it point towards Jesus and the good news about him?

GROUPS EXERCISE

2.      1 Corinthians 13:8 reminds us that love outlasts all. Let’s look at a few relevant passages on love’s permanence.

·         If in a small group setting, split into groups of 3-5, with some groups taking 1 Peter 4:8 and others being assigned 1 John 4:16. The groups will then do a brief mini-study (7-9 minutes) on these two passages and then elaborate on the meaning and basic application in their own words.

·         Take 10 minutes or so for the mini-groups to share and discuss with the larger group.

OPTIONAL EXERCISE:

3.      Discuss, as a group, this statement on 1 Corinthians 13:13 by Dr. John MacArthur:

“The objects of faith and hope will be fulfilled and perfectly realized in heaven, but love, the God-like virtue, is everlasting (cf. 1 John 4:8). Heaven will be the place for the expression of nothing but perfect love toward God and each other.”

Especially consider: what does this mean for how we should live right now? How does a passage like this make a difference in your daily life? How does its future relevance relate and matter to us now?

Pray His Words - Study Questions

Study Questions for February 24, 2013

Sermon: Pray His Words

by: Vermon Pierre

Series: Pray

Audio

Video

1. Read over the following passages. What do they tell us about the significance and importance of Scripture?

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 

Jeremiah 23:29 - Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? 

Isaiah 55:11 - So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me      empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it 

2 Timothy 3:16–17 - ¹⁶ All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2. How would you describe the Bible’s influence over your life?  Do you regularly try to apply the teachings of the Bible to your life? Why or why not? What practical steps might you take to make sure the Bible occupies a central place in your life?

3. Below is a list of categories for prayer along with verses to use in each category. Take some time now in groups of 2-3 to share with one another from these categories. For example, share with one another areas in your life where you need wisdom or people in your life you want to be more bold with when it comes to talking to them about Jesus.  Then pray together, using the verses to provide the context, themes, and even the actual wording for your prayers.

I. Prayers about God

Psalm 25:6 - Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 

Exodus 15:11–13 - ¹¹ “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? ¹² You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. ¹³ “You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.

Matthew 6:9–10 - ⁹ Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ¹⁰ Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

II. Prayers concerning yourself

·         Confession of sin and protection from sin

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Matt 6:13 - And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

·         Contentment

Proverbs 30:8 - Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me,

Philippians 4:11–13 - ¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Wisdom, discernment of the will of God

Philippians 1:9–10 - ⁹ And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 

Colossians 1:9 - And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 

James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Bold and clear witness about Jesus

Ephesians 6:18–19 - ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,

Acts 4:29 - And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness

Colossians 4:2–4 - ² Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. ³ At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— ⁴ that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

III. Prayers concerning other people, our world

Salvation. Salvation salvation salvation!

Matthew 9:37–38 - ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; ³⁸ therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” 

2 Thessalonians 3:1 - Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 

Romans 10:1 - Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.

People in crisis

Romans 15:13. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Love for one another

1 Thessalonians 3:12 - and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 

2 Thessalonians 3:5 - ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. 

Philippians 1:9 - And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,

God’s grace in Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 16:23 - The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

Galatians 6:18 - The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

Philippians 4:23 - The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:28 - The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

2 Timothy 4:22 - The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

Confessing Prayer - Study Questions

Confessing Prayer from Roosevelt Church on Vimeo.

Study Questions for February 10, 2013

Sermon: Confessing Prayer (Psalm 51)

by: Vermon Pierre

Series: Pray

For this particular session it would be best to start off in separate male and female groups.

1. Why is confession of sin in prayer so necessary? What things get in the way of us truly confessing our sins? Cf James 5:16, 1 John 1:8-9

2. How can you tell the difference between having godly grief over sin versus having worldly grief over sin? Cf 2 Corinthians 7:8-11

3. Discuss the story of Saul in 1 Samuel 15 and how he failed to really confess and repent from his sin. What things personally impact you about this story? How is it instructive for understand what confessing prayer and repentance should not look like?

4. Discuss the story of David in 2 Samuel  11 and 12 and how he dealt with his sin (see also Psalm 51). What things personally impact you about this story? How is it instructive for understand what confessing prayer and repentance should look like?

At this point break up into smaller groups of 2 or 3. Link up with people you think you can be honest and open with, people who are able to give sound biblical support and prayer for one another.

Use the following questions to help you identify and work through some areas of your life that are not of the Lord – habits or thoughts or attitudes you should not have in your life or habits or thoughts or attitudes that you should have in your life. This is meant as a starting part towards true confessing prayer and repentance. It will be up to you to continue down this road. BE SURE TO LEAVE TIME FOR PRAYER BEFORE YOUR TIME IS DONE.

Please note that these questions are adapted from the article entitled “Psalm 51 Repenter’s Guide” by David Covington and “X-Ray Questions: Drawing Out the Whys and Wherefores of Human Behavior” by David Powlison. Don’t feel that you need to answer every question here; pick the ones that will be most helpful to your process of confession and repentance.

Questions to analyze yourself:

1) What do you love? Is there something you love more than God or your neighbor?

2) What do you want? What do you desire? What do you crave, long for, wish? Whose desires do you obey?

3) What do you seek? What are your personal expectations and goals? What are your intentions? What are you working for?

4) Where do you bank your hopes? What hope are you working toward or building your life around?

5) What do you fear? Fear is the flip side of desire. For example, if I desire your acceptance, then I fear your rejection.

6) What do you think you need? In most cases a person's felt needs picture his or her idol cravings. Often what we have called necessities are actually deceptive masters that rule our hearts. They control us because they seem plausible. They don't seem so bad on the surface and it isn't sin to want them. However, I must not be ruled by the "need" to feel good about myself, to feel loved and accepted, to feel some sense of accomplishment, to have financial security, to experience good health, to live a life that is organized, pain-free, and happy.

7) What are your plans, agendas, strategies, and intentions designed to accomplish? What are you really going after in the situations and relationships of life? What are you really working to get?

8) Where do you find refuge, safety, comfort, and escape? When you are fearful, discouraged, and upset, where do you run? Do you run to God for comfort and safety or to something else? (To food, to others, to work, to solitude?)

9) What do you trust? Do you functionally rest in the Lord? Do you find your sense of well-being in His presence and promises? Or do you rest in something or someone else?

10) Whose performance matters to you? This question digs out self-reliance or self-righteousness. It digs out living through another. Do you get depressed when you are wrong or when you fail? Have you pinned your hopes on another person? Are you too dependent on the performance of your husband, wife, children or friends?

11) Whom must you please? Whose opinion counts? From whom do you desire approval or fear rejection? Whose value system do you measure yourself against? In whose eyes are you living?

12) What do you desperately hope will last in your life? What do you feel must always be there? What can't you live without?

13) How do you define success or failure in any particular situation? Are your standards God's standards? Do you define success as the ability to reach your goals? The respect and approval of others? Is it defined by a certain position or the ability to maintain a certain lifestyle? By affluence? By appearance? By acceptance? By location? By accomplishment?

14) What makes you feel rich, secure, and prosperous? The possession, experience, and enjoyment of what would make you happy? The Bible uses the metaphor of treasure here. 

15) What do you see as your rights? Whst do you feel entitled to? What do you feel is your right to expect, seek, require, or demand?

16) What do you really want out of life? What payoff are you seeking from the things you do? What is the return you are working for?

17) What do you pray for? The fact that we pray does not necessarily mean we are where we should be spiritually. On the contrary, prayer can be a key revealer of the idols of our hearts. Prayer can reveal patterns of self-centeredness, self-righteousness, materialism, fear of man, etc.

18) What do you think about most often? In the morning, to what does your mind drift instinctively? When you are doing a menial task or driving alone in your car, what captures your mind? What is your mindset?

19) What do you talk about? What occupies your conversations with others? What subjects do you tend to discuss over and over with your friends? The Bible says it is out of the heart that our mouths speak.

20) How do you spend your time? What are your daily priorities? What things do you invest time in every day?

21) What are your fantasies? What are your dreams at night? What do you daydream about?

Questions to promote confession and repentance

1) Are you defensive about your sin? Do you make excuses for or try to justify your sin? What motives and attitudes are behind you being defensive or making excuses?

2) Are you more eager to clear your reputation with man than to clear it with God?

3) What word does God say to you to expose you and to give you hope? In particular, how does the death of Jesus expose you and the resurrection of Jesus give you hope?

4) Do you sense the weight of conviction? Are you regularly crying out to God for relief and help?

5) Is your thinking and praying about your sin moving from “that was wrong” toward “that displeased you Lord”?

6) Can you believe and say from your heart, “You are all-just in punishing my sin, and amazing grace, you are the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus”?

7) What has God promised to do in your heart? Think of some specific promises. What has God already done for you?

8) How can you better embrace Christ’s death to sin for yourself? How can you better trust and rely on Christ’s union with you?

9) How can you hope in Christ for restored joy and fellowship?

10) How can you turn more towards the wise faithful God and away from your false hopes and desires?

11) How can you begin to ask for help in dealing with your sin? In particular what role should your church community play in this (hint: it should play a significant role!) What steps do you need to take tomorrow to begin doing this?

12) If you find asking for help hard, why is this? What treasures of yours does seeking help threaten?

13) What actions should flow from your repentance? What should you do today and what can wait until next week? How can you start?

14) Should you ask forgiveness? From whom? For what? When? How?

15) Should you make restitution? In kind, time, or money? How much?

16) Should you exercise godly discipline instead of selfish neglect? How to start?

17) Should you see someone you’ve wronged instead of avoiding him or her? When? How?

18) Whom has God called you to love? What sort of service would be fitting?

Pray Bigger - Sermon Study Guide

Sermon: Pray Bigger

by: Vermon Pierre

Series: Pray

Audio

Video

     Define prayer in your own words. Is prayer an important part of your life? Why or why not?

What are some of the struggles you have had with prayer?  What are some things that have been helpful to your prayer life?

James 5:16 says that “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” What does it mean to be righteousness, and how does it bring about powerful prayer? How does the example of Elijah help us see this? (James 5:17-18)

How does the relationship between a father and a child as depicted in Matthew 7:7-11 help us  understand how we should pray and encourage us to pray (and especially to pray “bigger” prayers)? 

 Break up into smaller groups of 2-3 people. Take time to:

a.       Share what needs you currently have. Be as honest as you are able to be.

b.      Talk within your group about how the Lord might want to answer those needs (for example: He might want to give you more wisdom, He might want to give you more patience, He might want to bring his healing power to you, He might want to adjust your expectations and redirect you, He might want to increase your capacity for grace and forgiveness, He might want you to rest in him more and find your joy more in his presence)

c.       Pray about those specific needs and what you would like the Lord to provide for you. As you pray about these things be sure to also pray that the Lord would give you the faith to believe he will answer your prayers and the obedience necessary to hear his voice and accept how he wants to answer your prayers.

Try to keep track of what was shared so that you can continue praying about those needs and can see how the Lord will begin to answer those needs. And as he answers people’s needs make sure you take time to specifically thank him!

Study Questions for January 13, 2013 - The Day of Mercy

Study Questions for January 13, 2013

Sermon: The Day of Mercy | Joel 2:18-32

by: Bob Korljan

Series: THE DAY

Audio

Video

1. Paul quotes Joel 2:32 in Romans 10:13. Look at each verse in its larger context by reading some of the surrounding verses. What is the function of each of these verses within their contexts? What is the significance of Romans 10:13 today for both the church and the world? What are some of the practical implications of Romans 10:13 for our specific church body?

2. Peter quotes Joel 2:28-32 in Acts 2:17-21. Look over Peter’s sermon. What was Peter saying about Joel 2:18-32? What was he saying about the event that just happened at Pentecost in the Upper Room? Should Acts 2:17-18 impact the Christian’s daily thinking and living? If so - how exactly?

3. Joel 2:21-27 deals with physical restoration. Compare Joel 2:21-24 with Joel 1:18-20. Note the differences and similarities between these two passages. What is the theological importance of these two passages? For example, what do they say about God?

PERSONAL REFLECTION:
Journal some of your thoughts and reflection on the Book of Joel  and the sermons you have been hearing on it thus far  …

Study Questions for December 09, 2012

Study Questions for December 09, 2012

Sermon: “Spend Less, Give More.”

by: Vermon Pierre

Series: The Advent Conspiracy

vimeo.com/rooseveltchurch

http://rooseveltchurch.org/sermons/sermon/2012-12-09/spend-less--give-more-

1. Read Luke 12:13-21. What does this passage teach us about money and possessions? What are some wrong ways to approach money and possessions according to this passage? Why are they wrong? What effect will an idolization of money and possessions have on your life?

2. Read John 4:10-14 and John 6:35. If Jesus really is who we should want above all else, if he is what is most satisfying to our souls, then why do think so many of us still set our hearts on other things besides Jesus? What will it take to transition from a life of pursuing stuff and more stuff to seeking Jesus and more Jesus?

3. Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19. What are some practical things you can do to “do good, be rich in good works, be generous and ready to share?” Think of at least 2-3 things you can do to put this in practice as we end this year and start the new year.

4. Why and how is the gospel message the best motivation towards more generosity in our community?

Study Questions for Dec 02, 2012

Study Questions for December 02, 2012

Sermon: “Worship Fully”
by: Vermon Pierre
Series: The Advent Conspiracy (Col 3:16-17)

vimeo.com/rooseveltchurch

http://www.rooseveltchurch.org/sermons/sermon/2012-12-02/worship-fully

1. What does it mean to let “the word of Christ dwell in you richly”? Think of specific areas in your life or in our community and elaborate on the effect the word of Christ should have on those areas. For example, how should it affect what you say? How should it affect what we sing about? How should it affect what your priorities are at work or at school?

2. What can and will you do this week to make sure the word of Christ dwells more richly in you? Think of at least 2-3 things you could do.

3. Notice how often thankfulness or being thankful is mentioned in v.15-17. Why do you think Paul mentions this so much? How does thankfulness show itself in your life? How might you cultivate more thankfulness in your life?

Study Questions for October 14, 2012

Study Questions for October 14, 2012

Sermon: “Sex, Greed, Idolatry, Drunkenness, and Church Potlucks”

by: Vermon Pierre

Series: The Tabloid Church (1 Corinthians 5:9-13)

vimeo.com/rooseveltchurch

1. What do these verses say about how Christians should or should not interact with “the world”?

 

2. What would be the wrong way for Christians to judge themselves? What would be the right way for Christians to judge themselves? What would be some good practical ways to do this within a local church? To answer that question think of practices, habits, structures, etc. that a church probably should have to better encourage right “judging” within her midst?

3. Think through the areas of sex, money/possessions, speech, and worship. In what ways does the world get these things wrong? How does the gospel help us get these things right? How should Christians live in comparison to the world when it comes to those areas? How might we winsomely convey to our world the “better story” of Christianity when it comes to sex, money/possessions, speech, and worship?