Joyful Worship Restored - Sunday School Lessons
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Faith and Love C.O.G.I.C
Sunday School
Lesson 4 June 30, 2024
JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED
Sunday School
Core Values
Superintendent/Teacher:
Behold how good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity. Psalm 133:1
School/Class:
But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such
sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:16
Superintendent/Teacher:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16
School/Class:
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm
119:105
Sunday School Responsive Reading
Superintendent/Teacher
: Let each of you look out not only for his own
interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:4
School/Class:
He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of
his bread to the poor. Proverbs 22:9
Superintendent/Teacher:
Therefore he says: “When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” Ephesians 4:8
School/Class:
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another,
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10
Sunday School Responsive Reading
Superintendent/Teacher
: For as the body is one and has many members, but all
the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 1 Cor.
12:12
School/Class:
For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do
not have the same function. Romans 12:4
Superintendent/Teacher:
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have
love for one another. John 13:35
School/Class:
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty
as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Gal. 5:13
Sunday School Responsive Reading
ALL:
But grow in the grace, and in the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. To him be glory both now and for
ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18
Sunday School Responsive Reading
Bible Basis: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Bible Truth: There should be no division in the Body of Christ.
Memory Verse: “Now I beseech you, brethren, but the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among
you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same
judgement” (1 Corinthians 1:10, KJV)
Lesson Aim: By the end of the lesson, we will INVESTIGATE the divisions within
the Corinthian community; IDENTIFY past hurts caused by divisions experienced
within a faith community; and INTRODUCE methods of achieving unity within the
Body of Christ.
Background Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 1 and 3– Read and incorporate the insights
gained from these Scriptures into your study of the lesson.
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing,
and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind
and in the same judgment.
11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe,
that there are contentions among you.
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of
Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
Lesson Scripture:
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
, KJV
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I
baptized any other.
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words,
lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Lesson Scripture:
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
, KJV
LIGHT ON THE WORD
Th
e Apostle Paul was a well-educated Jewish scholar and Roman citizen, as
well as a skilled tent maker. This extensive knowledge allowed him to be able
to identify with and talk to a wide range of people. Paul was a devout Jew
who passionately sought to stop this new Jesus movement until he was
converted to Christ one day on the road to Damascus. After that, Paul began
to spread the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire. He developed small,
close-knit Christian groups in different cities. These small groups were linked
together to form a large movement.
LIGHT ON THE WORD
Known for its beauty, diversity, and culture, Corinth was a favored port city
during Paul’s time. Located on the narrow isthmus that connected the
Peloponnese to mainland Greece, it was a center for trade and an
administration site for the Roman Empire. Corinth was also known for its
relaxed morals and numerous pagan temples. Paul ministered in Corinth for
eighteen months during his second missionary journey. During that time, he
preached the Gospel and organized new converts into small congregations
that usually met in households.
Teaching the Bible Lesson
LIFE NEED FOR TODAY’S LESSON:
AIM: We will learn that we must work together as
the Church.
INTRODUCTION
Structuring a Letter
1 Corinthians 1:10 plays a key role in Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church. In
order to really appreciate how important this verse is, we need to take a closer
look at the structure of the letter. In ancient times, letters were the primary
means of communication between people who were far away from each other.
Like modern letters, ancient letters were usually addressed to a person, family,
or small group and were intended to be read privately.
INTRODUCTION
Structuring a Letter
One fundamental element in this style of writing is known in Latin as the
propositio. The propositio serves as the foundation or thesis for Paul’s entire
letter. Every theme that Paul discusses in 1 Corinthians points back to this verse.
Paul passionately appealed to the church to understand that power, prestige,
and even spiritual gifts should never take precedence over unity. With this
statement, Paul reminded the Corinthians that the most valuable gifts they had
were one another and the love that united them as one body in Christ.
BIBLE LEARNING
AIM: We will learn that our faith in God compels
us to work together.
I.
POTENTIAL TO TEAR APART
Unity is Essential
1 Corinthians 10-11
Why was Paul so concerned about the arguing in the church? Certainly disagreements among groups of
people are not uncommon. This schisma was the exact opposite of the katar tizo (joining) that Paul
desired to see in the church. He wanted the congregation to develop harmonious relationships with one
another. Just like in music, harmony is not achieved by each voice sounding exactly the same. Harmony is
achieved when different voices make an intentional adjustment to produce one sound. Paul was
encouraging the church to find a way to work together and adjust to each other despite their differences.
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but
that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them
which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
I.
POTENTIAL TO TEAR APART
Unity is Essential
1 Corinthians 10-11
Having concluded the introduction to the letter, Paul came to the main point that he was
about to address in the first four chapters of the epistle: an exhortation to the
Corinthians to put an end to all squabbles. Verse 10 is an appeal for a common mind and
the repudiation of cliques. In this verse, which introduces the body of the letter, Paul
called the Corinthian believers to perfect Christian unity.
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but
that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them
which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
I.
POTENTIAL TO TEAR APART
Unity is Essential
1 Corinthians 10-11
The word “beseech” (Gk.
parakaleo
,
par- ak-al-EH-o
) carries with it the connotations of request
and exhortation. The basis of Paul’s appeal is striking. He did not make his appeal based on his
apostolic authority. Instead, first he appealed to them as “brethren,” a word that denotes
equality. He stood on common ground with those he wrote to. Second, he appealed to them on
account of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, revealing the intensity of his feelings.
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but
that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them
which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
I.
POTENTIAL TO TEAR APART
Unity is Essential
1 Corinthians 10-11
Paul’s appeal was for the Corinthians to do away with all “schisms” (Gk.
schismata
,
SKHIS-mah- tah
), a
metaphor related to clothing. Thus, Paul was saying that there should be no “ripping apart” in the
community. Rather, as one piece of cloth, the people of God should be perfectly united. In turn, such unity
was to be evidenced in their confession; they were to speak the same thing. To be united in the same
mind is to share the same convictions about God and Jesus Christ. Paul told them to speak the same thing
and avoid ministry- based factions. It is possible to have different views and not be divisive.
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but
that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them
which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
I.
POTENTIAL TO TEAR APART
Unity is Essential
1 Corinthians 10-11
The reason for the appeal is provided in 3:3, where Paul states that if Christians are divided, they
are no different from other people. In such a case, it is impossible for them to do the special
work God has called them to. So deep was Paul’s concern for the Corinthians that he reiterated
his plea for unity three times in this verse: “speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions
among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same
judgment.”
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but
that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them
which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
I.
POTENTIAL TO TEAR APART
Unity is Essential
1 Corinthians 10-11
Verses 11 and 12 show the reason why Paul considered the plea so urgently necessary. Paul had
received a report from Chloe’s people.
Th
e word translated “declared” (Gk.
deloo
,
day-LO-o
)
literally means “make known.” The fact that contentions existed among them was made
explicitly clear to Paul and was beyond dispute; therefore, he could confidently address the
situation. Paul’s method was equally instructive. He did not hide the identity of Chloe and just
refer to her report as “anonymous.”
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but
that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them
which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
I.
POTENTIAL TO TEAR APART
Unity is Essential
1 Corinthians 10-11
The gravity of the divisions is shown in the use of the word “contentions” (Gk.
eris
,
ER-
is
). In its original usage, it always referred to disputes that endangered the Church. The
word points to quarrels and indicates the hot dispute and emotional flame that ignites
whenever rivalry becomes intolerable. Strife is listed as one of the works of the flesh
(Galatians 5:20) of which Christians should have no part.
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but
that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them
which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
LIGHT ON THE WORD
Lack of Love
Th
e essence of the Corinthians’ problem was not that these groups had
differing loyalties, but their attitudes toward one another. The divisions in the
church served as evidence that this congregation was failing to let the love of
God soften their hearts toward each other. It was the lack of love, not
difference of opinion, that was causing the congregation to self-destruct.
II. DIVIDED LOYALTIES
Part of the problem was that the Corinthians had started following personalities instead of
Christ, causing them to break into factions. Some aligned themselves with Paul, the founder of
the church. Others, who considered themselves more intellectual, aligned with Apollos. Some
believed the Apostle Peter should be followed; this may have been because Peter had been a
firsthand witness to Christ’s ministry. Then there were those who claimed to follow Christ only.
At first glance, the “Christ only” group seems like a good thing, but it most likely made them
resistant to leadership, regardless of who was providing it.
Let Christ be the Focus
1 Corinthians 1:12-17
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name
of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas:
besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none
effect.
II. DIVIDED LOYALTIES
Apparently, members of the Corinthian church were divisively forming allegiances to various
leaders within the church. Each group used the name of its favored leader— Paul, Peter, Apollos,
and even Jesus—as a “war cry.” They gave their loyalties to human leaders instead of to Jesus
Christ. Somehow, as they magnified the human instruments, they lost sight of the Savior. It is a
mistake that Christians and others have often made and continue to make; there are still many
groups and religious organizations that honor one human being, particularly the founder, as if
he or she were a sort of second Christ. But Paul would have none of it.
Let Christ be the Focus
1 Corinthians 1:12-17
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name
of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas:
besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none
effect.
II. DIVIDED LOYALTIES
Paul asked three rhetorical questions that underline the absurdity of the state of affairs
in the Corinthian church that he had just sketched. The answer to each question is an
emphatic “no!” “Is Christ divided?” Implicit in this question is the notion of the church
as the Body of Christ, which Paul would later develop in chapters 10–12. Christ cannot
be divided, for He is one (12:12), nor can He be apportioned out so that only one group
may claim to follow Him. Rather, all of the Corinthians are supposed to follow Christ.
Let Christ be the Focus
1 Corinthians 1:12-17
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name
of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas:
besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none
effect.
II. DIVIDED LOYALTIES
“Was Paul crucified for you?” Paul was not crucified for them, nor were they baptized
into his name. The Corinthians were to follow and imitate Paul only to the extent that
he followed and imitated Christ (11:1). The point is that the Corinthians were in danger
of giving to mere human leaders the allegiance that belonged to Christ alone as their
Savior. As Paul puts it in 4:1, the Corinthians should think of him and his fellow Apostles
simply as servants of Christ to whom the mysteries of God were committed and who
were responsible to Him.
Let Christ be the Focus
1 Corinthians 1:12-17
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name
of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas:
besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none
effect.
II. DIVIDED LOYALTIES
“Were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” Some Corinthians were probably touting the
name of the person who baptized them, suggesting that such people were either more
spiritual or exhibited greater wisdom. Once again, Paul used his own name to show up
the error of the Corinthian partisanship.
Th
e Greek phrase
en to onoma
(
en to ON-om-
ah
), literally “into the name,” when used with baptism, implies that the person baptized
is the exclusive property of Christ.
Let Christ be the Focus
1 Corinthians 1:12-17
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name
of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas:
besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none
effect.
II. DIVIDED LOYALTIES
Was Paul saying that baptism was unnecessary? Absolutely not. One should by no means
interpret these verses to mean that. Paul simply placed the emphasis where it belonged: on the
preaching of the Gospel (see verse 17). Nevertheless, when Paul was with the Corinthians, as far
as he could recall he only baptized a few people. He might have considered this to be fortunate,
because if he had indeed baptized many of them, they could potentially have used the fact to
support the absurd claims found in verses 12–13. With certainty, Paul could say that he baptized
Crispus, the synagogue ruler (Acts 18:8); Gaius, his host (Romans 16:23); and the household of
Stephanas (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:15–16).
Let Christ be the Focus
1 Corinthians 1:12-17
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name
of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas:
besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none
effect.
II. DIVIDED LOYALTIES
If baptism was not Paul’s primary task, what was? Paul here reiterated his God-given
commission: “to preach the gospel.” However, baptism was by no means insignificant to Paul
(see Romans 6:3–7), although it remained secondary to the proclamation of the Gospel. Paul
reminds the people that Christ did not send him to baptize but to preach the gospel. It,
however, is important to note that Paul uses the noun “apostle,” to refers to himself, and this
term indicates the special task to which Paul was called as well as the authority that was vested
in him by God. Paul’s authority lay in being Christ’s Apostle or “sent one.”
Let Christ be the Focus
1 Corinthians 1:12-17
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name
of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas:
besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none
effect.
II. DIVIDED LOYALTIES
As the way his task was to be carried out, it was imperative that it be consistent with the
content of his message, the Good News of God’s saving work in Christ. As such, Paul’s Gospel
proclamation was to be done not with humanistic rhetorical eloquence or worldly wisdom,
which would render the Cross of Christ powerless. For Paul, there could be no room for
pyrotechnic displays of rhetorical virtuosity, such as were offered by the traveling sophists
whose voices were often heard in the marketplaces of any Mediterranean cities. Such methods
of proclamation would only serve to exalt the proclaimer and not the One proclaimed.
Let Christ be the Focus
1 Corinthians 1:12-17
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name
of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas:
besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none
effect.
II. DIVIDED LOYALTIES
If Paul had done so, he could have been guilty of promoting the factions spoken of in
verses 11–13. On the contrary, Paul promoted true Christian unity through his undiluted
proclamation of Christ crucified. The unity of speaking, mind, and judgment that the
Corinthian believers were called to have in verse 10 was to have its origin in and be
centered on the message of the Cross of Christ, which Paul pro- claimed. In this verse,
Paul lay the groundwork for what he would immediately say about his evangelizing
(1:18–2:5).
Let Christ be the Focus
1 Corinthians 1:12-17
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name
of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas:
besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none
effect.
BIBLE APPLICATION
AIM: We will understand the importance of unity as a
spiritual gift in relationship to faith and hope.
BIBLE APPLICATION
In our society, we are inundated with messages that encourage prideful behavior.
We are told that the only things that are important are what we think, what we
want, and how we feel. Society would have us to believe that the relentless pursuit
of these things will lead to happiness and fulfillment. But God instructs us as
believers to choose a different path. What is it worth to you to be right—is it worth
risking someone else’s feelings? What is it worth to you to get what you want—is it
worth causing someone else pain?
BIBLE APPLICATION
As believers, we are encouraged to think about more than ourselves when we make
decisions. We are to consider not just what’s best for us, but for everyone. This is
one way that we set ourselves apart from society and maintain unity, and that our
love for one another serves as a beacon that points to God.
STUDENT RESPONSES
AIM: We will purpose in our hearts that we will not be a source of
conflict.
STUDENT RESPONSES
Have you ever had a disagreement with another person that went unresolved? A simple
difference of opinion can damage a relationship to a point that seems irreparable. Christ
gave us two essential commandments: love God completely and love each other
(Matthew 22:37–39). Christ’s body was broken so our relationship with God and others
could be mended. Each time we take communion, we are reminded of His sacrifice.
Don’t let communion become a ritual act of worship; instead, let it prompt us to do the
work necessary to mend the broken relationships in our lives. Let it prompt us to find
new ways to overlook differences, work together, appreciate one another, and accept
and love each other.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the way that You have called us together as the Body of
Christ. We thank You that You have given us unity through our faith in You.
Lord, we ask that You would help us to maintain the unity that You have
given us. Help us to walk in Your peace and show love to one another.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
AMEN
Next Sunday
July 7, 2024
Lesson 6
Glorify God With Your Body
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
The enriching lessons on joyful worship, unity, love, and service from the Faith and Love C.O.G.I.C Sunday School series. Delve into scripture, responsive readings, and core values to deepen your spiritual understanding and community bonds."
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Faith and Love C.O.G.I.C Sunday School Lesson 4 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED Sunday School Core Values
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED Sunday School Responsive Reading Superintendent/Teacher: Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Psalm 133:1 School/Class: But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:16 Superintendent/Teacher: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 School/Class: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED Sunday School Responsive Reading Superintendent/Teacher: Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 School/Class: He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor. Proverbs 22:9 Superintendent/Teacher: Therefore he says: When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. Ephesians 4:8 School/Class: As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED Sunday School Responsive Reading Superintendent/Teacher: For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 1 Cor. 12:12 School/Class: For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function. Romans 12:4 Superintendent/Teacher: By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35 School/Class: For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Gal. 5:13
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED Sunday School Responsive Reading ALL: But grow in the grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED Bible Basis: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 Bible Truth: There should be no division in the Body of Christ. Memory Verse: Now I beseech you, brethren, but the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement (1 Corinthians 1:10, KJV) Lesson Aim: By the end of the lesson, we will INVESTIGATE the divisions within the Corinthian community; IDENTIFY past hurts caused by divisions experienced within a faith community; and INTRODUCE methods of achieving unity within the Body of Christ. Background Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 1 and 3 Read and incorporate the insights gained from these Scriptures into your study of the lesson.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED Lesson Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, KJV 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED Lesson Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, KJV 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED LIGHT ON THE WORD The Apostle Paul was a well-educated Jewish scholar and Roman citizen, as well as a skilled tent maker. This extensive knowledge allowed him to be able to identify with and talk to a wide range of people. Paul was a devout Jew who passionately sought to stop this new Jesus movement until he was converted to Christ one day on the road to Damascus. After that, Paul began to spread the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire. He developed small, close-knit Christian groups in different cities. These small groups were linked together to form a large movement.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED LIGHT ON THE WORD Known for its beauty, diversity, and culture, Corinth was a favored port city during Paul s time. Located on the narrow isthmus that connected the Peloponnese to mainland Greece, it was a center for trade and an administration site for the Roman Empire. Corinth was also known for its relaxed morals and numerous pagan temples. Paul ministered in Corinth for eighteen months during his second missionary journey. During that time, he preached the Gospel and organized new converts into small congregations that usually met in households.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED Teaching the Bible Lesson LIFE NEED FOR TODAY S LESSON: AIM: We will learn that we must work together as the Church.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED INTRODUCTION Structuring a Letter 1 Corinthians 1:10 plays a key role in Paul s letter to the Corinthian church. In order to really appreciate how important this verse is, we need to take a closer look at the structure of the letter. In ancient times, letters were the primary means of communication between people who were far away from each other. Like modern letters, ancient letters were usually addressed to a person, family, or small group and were intended to be read privately.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED INTRODUCTION Structuring a Letter One fundamental element in this style of writing is known in Latin as the propositio. The propositio serves as the foundation or thesis for Paul s entire letter. Every theme that Paul discusses in 1 Corinthians points back to this verse. Paul passionately appealed to the church to understand that power, prestige, and even spiritual gifts should never take precedence over unity. With this statement, Paul reminded the Corinthians that the most valuable gifts they had were one another and the love that united them as one body in Christ.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED BIBLE LEARNING AIM: We will learn that our faith in God compels us to work together.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED I. POTENTIAL TO TEAR APART Unity is Essential 1 Corinthians 10-11 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Why was Paul so concerned about the arguing in the church? Certainly disagreements among groups of people are not uncommon. This schisma was the exact opposite of the katar tizo (joining) that Paul desired to see in the church. He wanted the congregation to develop harmonious relationships with one another. Just like in music, harmony is not achieved by each voice sounding exactly the same. Harmony is achieved when different voices make an intentional adjustment to produce one sound. Paul was encouraging the church to find a way to work together and adjust to each other despite their differences.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED I. POTENTIAL TO TEAR APART Unity is Essential 1 Corinthians 10-11 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Having concluded the introduction to the letter, Paul came to the main point that he was about to address in the first four chapters of the epistle: an exhortation to the Corinthians to put an end to all squabbles. Verse 10 is an appeal for a common mind and the repudiation of cliques. In this verse, which introduces the body of the letter, Paul called the Corinthian believers to perfect Christian unity.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED I. POTENTIAL TO TEAR APART Unity is Essential 1 Corinthians 10-11 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. The word beseech (Gk. parakaleo, par- ak-al-EH-o) carries with it the connotations of request and exhortation. The basis of Paul s appeal is striking. He did not make his appeal based on his apostolic authority. Instead, first he appealed to them as brethren, a word that denotes equality. He stood on common ground with those he wrote to. Second, he appealed to them on account of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, revealing the intensity of his feelings.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED I. POTENTIAL TO TEAR APART Unity is Essential 1 Corinthians 10-11 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Paul s appeal was for the Corinthians to do away with all schisms (Gk. schismata, SKHIS-mah- tah), a metaphor related to clothing. Thus, Paul was saying that there should be no ripping apart in the community. Rather, as one piece of cloth, the people of God should be perfectly united. In turn, such unity was to be evidenced in their confession; they were to speak the same thing. To be united in the same mind is to share the same convictions about God and Jesus Christ. Paul told them to speak the same thing and avoid ministry- based factions. It is possible to have different views and not be divisive.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED I. POTENTIAL TO TEAR APART Unity is Essential 1 Corinthians 10-11 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. The reason for the appeal is provided in 3:3, where Paul states that if Christians are divided, they are no different from other people. In such a case, it is impossible for them to do the special work God has called them to. So deep was Paul s concern for the Corinthians that he reiterated his plea for unity three times in this verse: speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED I. POTENTIAL TO TEAR APART Unity is Essential 1 Corinthians 10-11 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Verses 11 and 12 show the reason why Paul considered the plea so urgently necessary. Paul had received a report from Chloe s people. The word translated declared (Gk. deloo, day-LO-o) literally means make known. The fact that contentions existed among them was made explicitly clear to Paul and was beyond dispute; therefore, he could confidently address the situation. Paul s method was equally instructive. He did not hide the identity of Chloe and just refer to her report as anonymous.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED I. POTENTIAL TO TEAR APART Unity is Essential 1 Corinthians 10-11 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. The gravity of the divisions is shown in the use of the word contentions (Gk. eris, ER- is). In its original usage, it always referred to disputes that endangered the Church. The word points to quarrels and indicates the hot dispute and emotional flame that ignites whenever rivalry becomes intolerable. Strife is listed as one of the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:20) of which Christians should have no part.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED LIGHT ON THE WORD Lack of Love The essence of the Corinthians problem was not that these groups had differing loyalties, but their attitudes toward one another. The divisions in the church served as evidence that this congregation was failing to let the love of God soften their hearts toward each other. It was the lack of love, not difference of opinion, that was causing the congregation to self-destruct.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED II. DIVIDED LOYALTIES Let Christ be the Focus 1 Corinthians 1:12-17 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. Part of the problem was that the Corinthians had started following personalities instead of Christ, causing them to break into factions. Some aligned themselves with Paul, the founder of the church. Others, who considered themselves more intellectual, aligned with Apollos. Some believed the Apostle Peter should be followed; this may have been because Peter had been a firsthand witness to Christ s ministry. Then there were those who claimed to follow Christ only. At first glance, the Christ only group seems like a good thing, but it most likely made them resistant to leadership, regardless of who was providing it.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED II. DIVIDED LOYALTIES Let Christ be the Focus 1 Corinthians 1:12-17 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. Apparently, members of the Corinthian church were divisively forming allegiances to various leaders within the church. Each group used the name of its favored leader Paul, Peter, Apollos, and even Jesus as a war cry. They gave their loyalties to human leaders instead of to Jesus Christ. Somehow, as they magnified the human instruments, they lost sight of the Savior. It is a mistake that Christians and others have often made and continue to make; there are still many groups and religious organizations that honor one human being, particularly the founder, as if he or she were a sort of second Christ. But Paul would have none of it.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED II. DIVIDED LOYALTIES Let Christ be the Focus 1 Corinthians 1:12-17 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. Paul asked three rhetorical questions that underline the absurdity of the state of affairs in the Corinthian church that he had just sketched. The answer to each question is an emphatic no! Is Christ divided? Implicit in this question is the notion of the church as the Body of Christ, which Paul would later develop in chapters 10 12. Christ cannot be divided, for He is one (12:12), nor can He be apportioned out so that only one group may claim to follow Him. Rather, all of the Corinthians are supposed to follow Christ.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED II. DIVIDED LOYALTIES Let Christ be the Focus 1 Corinthians 1:12-17 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. Was Paul crucified for you? Paul was not crucified for them, nor were they baptized into his name. The Corinthians were to follow and imitate Paul only to the extent that he followed and imitated Christ (11:1). The point is that the Corinthians were in danger of giving to mere human leaders the allegiance that belonged to Christ alone as their Savior. As Paul puts it in 4:1, the Corinthians should think of him and his fellow Apostles simply as servants of Christ to whom the mysteries of God were committed and who were responsible to Him.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED II. DIVIDED LOYALTIES Let Christ be the Focus 1 Corinthians 1:12-17 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. Were ye baptized in the name of Paul? Some Corinthians were probably touting the name of the person who baptized them, suggesting that such people were either more spiritual or exhibited greater wisdom. Once again, Paul used his own name to show up the error of the Corinthian partisanship. The Greek phrase en to onoma (en to ON-om- ah), literally into the name, when used with baptism, implies that the person baptized is the exclusive property of Christ.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED II. DIVIDED LOYALTIES Let Christ be the Focus 1 Corinthians 1:12-17 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. Was Paul saying that baptism was unnecessary? Absolutely not. One should by no means interpret these verses to mean that. Paul simply placed the emphasis where it belonged: on the preaching of the Gospel (see verse 17). Nevertheless, when Paul was with the Corinthians, as far as he could recall he only baptized a few people. He might have considered this to be fortunate, because if he had indeed baptized many of them, they could potentially have used the fact to support the absurd claims found in verses 12 13. With certainty, Paul could say that he baptized Crispus, the synagogue ruler (Acts 18:8); Gaius, his host (Romans 16:23); and the household of Stephanas (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:15 16).
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED II. DIVIDED LOYALTIES Let Christ be the Focus 1 Corinthians 1:12-17 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. If baptism was not Paul s primary task, what was? Paul here reiterated his God-given commission: to preach the gospel. However, baptism was by no means insignificant to Paul (see Romans 6:3 7), although it remained secondary to the proclamation of the Gospel. Paul reminds the people that Christ did not send him to baptize but to preach the gospel. It, however, is important to note that Paul uses the noun apostle, to refers to himself, and this term indicates the special task to which Paul was called as well as the authority that was vested in him by God. Paul s authority lay in being Christ s Apostle or sent one.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED II. DIVIDED LOYALTIES Let Christ be the Focus 1 Corinthians 1:12-17 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. As the way his task was to be carried out, it was imperative that it be consistent with the content of his message, the Good News of God s saving work in Christ. As such, Paul s Gospel proclamation was to be done not with humanistic rhetorical eloquence or worldly wisdom, which would render the Cross of Christ powerless. For Paul, there could be no room for pyrotechnic displays of rhetorical virtuosity, such as were offered by the traveling sophists whose voices were often heard in the marketplaces of any Mediterranean cities. Such methods of proclamation would only serve to exalt the proclaimer and not the One proclaimed.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED II. DIVIDED LOYALTIES Let Christ be the Focus 1 Corinthians 1:12-17 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. If Paul had done so, he could have been guilty of promoting the factions spoken of in verses 11 13. On the contrary, Paul promoted true Christian unity through his undiluted proclamation of Christ crucified. The unity of speaking, mind, and judgment that the Corinthian believers were called to have in verse 10 was to have its origin in and be centered on the message of the Cross of Christ, which Paul pro- claimed. In this verse, Paul lay the groundwork for what he would immediately say about his evangelizing (1:18 2:5).
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED BIBLE APPLICATION AIM: We will understand the importance of unity as a spiritual gift in relationship to faith and hope.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED BIBLE APPLICATION In our society, we are inundated with messages that encourage prideful behavior. We are told that the only things that are important are what we think, what we want, and how we feel. Society would have us to believe that the relentless pursuit of these things will lead to happiness and fulfillment. But God instructs us as believers to choose a different path. What is it worth to you to be right is it worth risking someone else s feelings? What is it worth to you to get what you want is it worth causing someone else pain?
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED BIBLE APPLICATION As believers, we are encouraged to think about more than ourselves when we make decisions. We are to consider not just what s best for us, but for everyone. This is one way that we set ourselves apart from society and maintain unity, and that our love for one another serves as a beacon that points to God.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED STUDENT RESPONSES AIM: We will purpose in our hearts that we will not be a source of conflict.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED STUDENT RESPONSES Have you ever had a disagreement with another person that went unresolved? A simple difference of opinion can damage a relationship to a point that seems irreparable. Christ gave us two essential commandments: love God completely and love each other (Matthew 22:37 39). Christ s body was broken so our relationship with God and others could be mended. Each time we take communion, we are reminded of His sacrifice. Don t let communion become a ritual act of worship; instead, let it prompt us to do the work necessary to mend the broken relationships in our lives. Let it prompt us to find new ways to overlook differences, work together, appreciate one another, and accept and love each other.
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED Prayer Dear Heavenly Father, We thank You for the way that You have called us together as the Body of Christ. We thank You that You have given us unity through our faith in You. Lord, we ask that You would help us to maintain the unity that You have given us. Help us to walk in Your peace and show love to one another. In Jesus name we pray. AMEN
Lesson 5 June 30, 2024 JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED Next Sunday July 7, 2024 Lesson 6 Glorify God With Your Body 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
