Even today, Jesus is still a figure of intense interest and admiration for millions. But then theres His church. Church is a boring topic for most, and a reluctantly fulfilled duty for many.
And we can understand why. Churches say they have the best news in the world, that they have the answer to our problems, that they are Gods embassies on earth; and yet churches are made up of people like you and me, who are grumpy, irritable, unfaithful, selfish, and worse.
And as that is sadly true of churches today, so it was of the church in Corinth. It was young, it was full of life, and it was just as full of problems. What would God say to such a challenging church? What did they need to be excited by, to listen to, to learn?
Use this seven-study guide to open up the first nine chapters of the letter of 1 Corinthians, to hear what God said to His church in Corinth, and what God still says to His church today.
Table of contents
Introduction
Why study 1 Corinthians?
Timeline
1. Count your blessings - 1 Corinthians 1 v 1-9
2. Unite in "foolishness" - 1 Corinthians 1 v 10 - 2 v 16
3. Unite as God's community - 1 Corinthians 3
4. Recognise real ministers - 1 Corinthians 4
5. Don't go soft on sin - 1 Corinthians 5 - 6
6. Let your calling count - 1 Corinthians 7
7. Use your rights - 1 Corinthians 8 - 9
Leader's Guide
This seven-study guide will bring you face-to-face with the Corinthian churchfull of life, and just as full of problems. As Paul challenges these Christians about how they see, use and serve their church, you'll see how you can get the most from, and give the most to, your own church today.
1 Corinthians 1-9 : Challenging Church by Mark Dever ; Carl Laferton was published by The Good Book Company in February 2012 and is our 27633rd best seller. The ISBN for 1 Corinthians 1-9 : Challenging Church is 9781908317506.