Corinthians

OBJECTIVE

The Objective of this series is to delve deeply into the many important theological and practical topics presented by St. Paul in the Pauline Epistles. The students will gain a better understanding of how St. Paul's writings greatly influenced the establishment of the Church and of Christianity as they exist today. Students will learn how St. Paul advises us to focus on implementing Christian Love and Wisdom in our lives and what these mean.

INTRODUCTION - 5 Minutes

Please review the points from lesson 2 about salvation by faith in Christ.

  1. We learned that we are saved not by our works alone, nor by the law, nor by following some sort of rules, but instead we are saved by our Faith in Jesus Christ. Christ fulfilled the law by His death and resurrection.
  2. We also learned that since Christ died so that we could inherit the kingdom of God and become children of God, we should change our lives to match the newness of life that we have received.

The question is, if we are not saved by a bunch of rules, how can we change our lives so that we can "live by the Spirit of God" as St. Paul said?

St. Paul gives many answers to this question in the Pauline Epistles, but today we will focus on two that he presents in 1 Corinthians.

  1. Wisdom of God
  2. Love

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

"Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come---all are yours. And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's." 1 Corinthians 3:18-23

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 10 Minutes

It is very important to St. Paul that we understand, the Wisdom of God is different from the wisdom of this world.

  • Wisdom of the world
    • This wisdom of the world is the belief that having education and experience in this world somehow makes a person "wise"
    • It comes from trusting in one's own abilities and knowledge and often comes with the belief that if you are educated or successful in this world, then you have a special authority over others.
    • Since people trust their own opinions, this leads to lots of fighting and disputes.
    • To be clear, education is not bad, but it does not automatically give a person the Wisdom of God.
  • Wisdom of God
    • As we see from the verses below, the Wisdom of God comes from loving God and being "known by Him."
    • When we have a relationship with God, He fills us with the Holy Spirit and we are plugged into His Wisdom, so to speak.
    • We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

DISCUSSION/ACTIVITY - 20 Minutes

Option 1:

Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-8,13 with the class:

  • 1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body ato be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails....13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Instructions:

  • Split the class into small groups. Give each group a verse from the above verses and ask them to come up with answers to the following questions in their groups.
    1. What does this verse or what do these verses mean and what do they say about love?
    2. How can we apply this in our own lives? Do we live up to these verses, or can we improve in how we love?
  • Once the groups are done, have them share their verse/verses with the class and their answers. Students can discuss and/or ask each other questions if they are capable.

Option 2:

Create a set of flashcards, one with each description of love that the bible gives us and other flashcards that have words/phrases that can describe love but are NOT used in the Love Chapter. Give these to the class, and (for example, love is giving or love is honest) and give them a few minutes to try and separate what is in the Bible versus what is not.