I Corinthians 1:1-31

1
I Corinthians 11-31

• Cliques and Wisdom

2
I Corinthians 110-17

• According to verse 10, what is the formula for
  Christian unity?
• This section is called divisions in the church.
  What was dividing the church? (cf ch 31-4)
• What could be wrong with saying I follow
  Christ?
• Was Paul slighting baptism? (vs 14)
• What is often the cause of divisions in the
  church? (cf. 31-4)

3
I Corinthians 110-17 Digging Deeper

• What ingredient for fellowship do ecumenical
  movements disregard?
• What is most important the minister or the
  message? Which most often brings people to
  church? Which most often drives people away from
  church? What does this say about people?
• When are pastors overrated?
• How can pastors and church leaders prevent this
  kind of disunity?
• What are words of human wisdom? How do they
  empty the gospel of its power? (vs 17)

4
I Corinthians 118-25

• The Corinthians undue esteem of human wisdom
  was largely responsible for the factionalism in
  their midst. It was therefore necessary for Paul
  to put the wisdom of the world into the true
  perspective that can be gained only when it is
  compared with the wisdom of God revealed in the
  cross ofChrist. Because their regard for human
  wisdom was so much a part of their Greek heritage
  and tradition, he develops at length the contrast
  between the two types of wisdom.

5
I Corinthians 118-25

• What thought in verse 18 will run through this
  section and into chapter 2?
• Why does human wisdom clash with Christianity?
• Why did the Jews, with their Old Testament
  background, look for signs when Christ came?
• How did the cross alienate both Jews and
  Gentiles?
• In what way are things backward in the church?
  (cf. vs 20-21)

6
I Corinthians 118-25

• Romans 1133 Oh, the depth of the riches of
  the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable
  his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
• 2 Ti 315 from infancy you have known the Holy
  Scriptures which are able to make you wise for
  salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
• Why cant created man match Gods wisdom?
• How does the contest between human wisdom
  (philosophy) and divine wisdom (Scripture) affect
  many church bodies?

7
I Corinthians 118-25

• Job 2828 - And he said to man, The fear of the
  Lordthat is wisdom, and to shun evil is
  understanding.
• Romans 1133 Oh, the depth of the riches of
  the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable
  his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
• 2 Ti 315 from infancy you have known the Holy
  Scriptures which are able to make you wise for
  salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

8
Studying the Scriptures

• Why cant created man match Gods wisdom?
• What are the blessings of divine wisdom?
• With what attitude should we approach Gods
  wisdom?
• How is the conflict between human wisdom
  (philosophy) and divine wisdom (revelation)
  affecting many churches today?

9
I Corinthians 126-31

• 1. What evidence was there in Corinth that human
  wisdom, power, and prestige do not bring people
  to God?
• 2. What are the foolish, weak and lowly things
  of the world?
• 3. Why did God choose such lowly means (cross,
  grace, etc) to demonstrate his power and wisdom?
• 4. Of what can those boast who are wise in
  Christ?
• How does verses 18-31 underscore the truth of
  this whole chapter?

10
I Corinthians 126-31

• 1. Genesis 458 So then, it was not you who
  sent me here, but God. He made me father to
  Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler
  of all Egypt.
• What does each passage teach us about honor
  and/or greatness in Gods kingdom?
• How does God nullify the wisdom, power, and
  prestige of the worlds leading people today?

11
I Corinthians 126-31

• 2. 2 Samuel 78 Now then, tell my servant
  David, This is what the Lord Almighty says I
  took you from the pasture and from following the
  flock to be ruler over my people Israel.
• What does each passage teach us about honor
  and/or greatness in Gods kingdom?
• How does God nullify the wisdom, power, and
  prestige of the worlds leading people today?

12
I Corinthians 126-31

• 3. Isaiah 662 Has not my hand made all these
  things, and so they came into being? declares
  the Lord. This is the one I esteem he who is
  humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my
  word.
• What does each passage teach us about honor
  and/or greatness in Gods kingdom?
• How does God nullify the wisdom, power, and
  prestige of the worlds leading people today?

13
I Corinthians 126-31

• 4. Matthew 184 Therefore, whoever humbles
  himself like this child is the greatest in the
  kingdom of heaven.
• What does each passage teach us about honor
  and/or greatness in Gods kingdom?
• How does God nullify the wisdom, power, and
  prestige of the worlds leading people today?

14
I Corinthians 126-31

• 5. Luke 152 He has brought down rulers from
  their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
• 6. James 46 But he gives us more grace. That
  is why Scripture says God opposes the proud but
  gives grace to the humble.
• What does each passage teach us about honor
  and/or greatness in Gods kingdom?
• How does God nullify the wisdom, power, and
  prestige of the worlds leading people today?