First Problem diagnosed: Divisions in the church

Notes to CG Leaders: You can hand out the notes as each CG member arrives. As you wait for all to be present, you can ask the CG members to discuss this question in pairs. This will help the CG members to be ready for the session.

Pre-study Sharing. What impressions does a family living in unity and harmony give you? Why?

Suggested Answer: It will leave a good impression; we would desire to have a family that is similarly united and living in love and unity. Not only does it build up everyone in the family, it gives a good testimony to others.

(1) Background and Introduction

Relevant information about the Corinthian church.

  1. Corinth: wealthy and cosmopolitian. A centre of trade, philosophical and rhetorical pursuits.
  2. Corinthian church: a church that has drifted. It was more affected by the surrounding culture than informed by the gospel.
  3. First letter to the Corinthians: Paul writes to address a number of problems facing the Corinthian church. Paul responds to their problems with the gospel. The gospel: the announcement about Jesus Christ that opens up a whole new reality of living!

Notes to CG Leaders: Briefly go through the overview of the structure of 1 Corinthians with your CG members.

Theme of 1 Corinthians: Seeing all of life through the gospel

Outline of 1 Corinthians:

Chapters / 1-4 / 5-7 / 8-10 / 11-14 / 15 / 16
What’s happening at Corinth / Divisions in the church: popularity contest / Sex: Sexual immorality in the church / Food: Food offered to idols / The Gathering: disorder in their weekly worship gathering / The Resurrection: Christians disputing the resurrection / Final Greetings
What the gospel changes? / Church is a community of people centered around the Lord Jesus Christ / Jesus Christ died for your sins; including the ruin of broken relationships caused by sexual misconduct. And our bodies will be raised from the dead / Jesus Christ is Lord; and God’s love compels us to eat or not to eat / God’s Spirit works through everybody in a unified way to build up the church; and God’s love compels us to love and seek the good of others / Jesus Christ’ resurrection is indispensible: The resurrection demonstrates Jesus’ victory over sin and death; it gives power for the Christian life; and it is a source of hope for our future
What doing life together as a community of God’s people looks like through the lens of the gospel? / Reason for Unity / Motivation for sexual purity / Power to love others more than ourselves / Hope of victory over death

1 Corinthians 1:1-9–Introduction and thanksgiving

1 Corinthians 1:10-17– The first problem introduced: divisions in the church

(2) Read 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 (ESV)

1 Cor 1:10I appeal to you,

brothers,

by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

that all of you agree,

and that there be no divisions among you,

but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

11For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you,

my brothers.

12What I mean is that each one of you says,

“I follow Paul,” or

“I follow Apollos,” or

“I follow Cephas,” or

“I follow Christ.”

13Is Christ divided?

Was Paul crucified for you?

Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

14I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,

15so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name.

16(I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)

17For Christ did not send me to baptize

but to preach the gospel,

and not with words of eloquent wisdom,

lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

(3) Study of 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 (ESV)

Today’s Big Idea
Paul urged the divided Corinthian church to be united because they were under the Lordship of one Christ.

The problem diagnosed (vs. 10-12)

Immediately after his greetings and thanksgiving in vs. 1-9, Paul addresses the first problem facing the church at Corinth.

Q1. What does Paul urge the church at Corinth to do? On what basis does Paul appeal to them? (v. 10)

Suggested Answer: Paul urges the church at Corinth to “all… agree” – he wants them to all say the same thing and not each pursue their own things. He urges that there be “no divisions” among the believers in the church – there should not be schisms, fractions or divisions based on human leaders. And he pleads that the Corinthian church be “united in the same mind and same judgement”–they are to be of one mind, thinking the same with regards to who God is and what God wants them to do. In doing so they are able to judge and discern matters according to God’s what God reveals. Paul appeals to the church on the basis of two things. Firstly, he calls them “brothers”(in verse 10 and in verse 11) - he reminds them that they are all family in Christ. And secondly, he urged them by the “name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. He appeals to them on the basis of the authority of Jesus Christ.

Q2. What is the problem facing the church at Corinth? Describe in your own words what was reported to Paul. (vv. 11-12)

Suggested Answer: There was quarreling among the believers in the church at Corinth. They were divided into fractions – with each following a different human leader – either Paul or Apollos or Cephas (Peter) or Christ. Those that say they “follow” Christ seems proud of their “loyalty” to Jesus Christ – they were still displaying a partisan and divisive spirit.

The solution prescribed (vs. 13-17)

Paul continues with the initial discussion of how the gospel changes the way we can live as a church.

Q3. What does Paul say to call the Corinthian church to their senses? (vs. 13-16)

Suggested Answer: Paul opens with asking three questions with the expected answer “no”! Christ is not divided but one. Paul was not crucifed for them but only Christ was. And they were not baptized in the name of Paul but rather in the name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Paul only baptized a few of them and he seems not to really remember who he baptized. And he is thankful that he did not baptize many of them so that not many can claim that were baptized by the apostle Paul and form a “Paul” fraction. Paul calls them to remember that Christ is one; that Christ was the one who was crucified and died for their sins; and that they were baptized in Christ’ name.

Q4. What does Paul say is essential for true Christian unity? Why? (v. 17)

Suggested Answer: The preaching of the gospel and the gospel of Christ is essential for true Christian unity. The mission of the church is to preach the gospel and make disciples. This is the goal for the church and the church can be united working together for the cause of the gospel. More importantly, the message of the cross of Christ – the gospel of Jesus Christ, has the power to bring forgiveness of sins to those who believes. Believers are indwelt by the Spirit of Christ and joined to Jesus Christ when they trusted in Him. We are adopted into God’s family and connected to each other. The proclamation of the gospel brings fellowship and true Christian unity (c.f. 1 John 1:1-4).

(4) Summary

Summary
  1. The church is urged to beunited in same mind and same judgement;
  1. The church is divided because of misplaced loyalty to man;
  1. We have been baptized into one Christ who was crucified for us; and
  1. The message of the cross is essential for true Christian unity.

Today’s Big Aim

Christians are to promote true Christ unity by focusing on

the central message of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ

(5) Application to Life

Q1. What does today’s passage tell us about why is it so important that the church family be united?

Suggested Answer: Church unity builds up the church. It enables us to be more effective in the work for the cause of the gospel. In addition, an united church gives a good testimony to others of the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A visiting non-Christian would be hindered in trusting the message of the cross if believers in the church quarrel and do not show love and forgive one another.

Q2. In what ways have you been tempted to idolize Christian leaders? What are we to focus on instead?

Suggested Answer: Some of us have been tempted to idolize Christian leaders because of their influence, impact, eloquence and insights. Rather than focusing on human leaders, give thanks to God for them and focus on the message of the cross – the gospel message of Jesus Christ (c.f. v. 17). This will keep us focused on the main thing and not quarrel and divide over less important secondary matters. The message of the cross will also keep us humble and help us remember our allegience to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Q3. What practical things can you do to help true Christian unity in our church? For example, do you need to repent of giving loyalty to man rather then to Christ? Do you need to confess to someone because of your divisive spirit?

Suggested Answer: In our conversations, remind each other of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Confess and repent of your divisive spirit. In our interactions, resolve to work for unity, e.g. refuse to start or participate in divisive gossips; refuse to take sides over secondary matters especially the following human leaders; refuse to judge human leaders based on eloquence or cultural benchmarks. More positively, resolve to put aside preferences and rather work together for the cause of the gospel. Continue to encourage others towards unity so that our church can be a good testimony to others.

(6) Prayer

Father God, we confess that we often idolize and give our loyalty to man rather than to our Lord Jesus Christ. Forgive us of our divisive spirit which divides and hurts the church and her testimony. Call us back to the central message of the cross. Help us return to true Christian unity. We pray this for the good of the church and for the glory of your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

References:

  1. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.
  2. The Gospel Transformation Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2013.
  3. The NLT Study Bible. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2008.
  4. NIV Zondervan Study Bible: Built on the Truth of Scripture and Centered on the Gospel Message. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2015.
  5. Jackman, David.Let’s Study 1 Corinthians. Edinburgh, UK: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2004.
  6. Morris, Leon.“1 Corinthians” in the Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985.
  7. The Bible Project. (2015, October 15). Read Scripture Series: Paul's 1st Letter to the Corinthians. [Video file]. Retrieved from

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