Read 1
Corinthians 3:1-4

What characteristics
does Paul point to as proof that the Corinthian Christians are worldly? What specific actions does he mention? Do you see any of these signs of worldliness
in your life?

Why is Paul so
concerned that some of them say, "I follow Paul" while others say,
"I follow Apollos?" Read 1
Corinthians 1:10-13 to help you answer.

What would Paul have
said if the Christians in Corinth had separated into multiple churches - St.
Paul's Christian Church and the Christian Church of Apollos? Joplin has more than 100 churches. What would Paul say to us?

Paul criticizes the
Corinthian Christians for acting like mere men.
Is he saying they are somehow more than human?

Journaling

Read 1
Corinthians 3:5-9

Paul was one of the
most influential Christian leaders of all time - maybe second only to
Jesus. How does Paul view his role in
ministry?

If you grasped the
truth that God is the One who makes things grow, would it change the way you
think about your role in ministry?

How would
understanding this principal cure jealousy and quarrelling?

In verse 7 Paul says
he is nothing, but in verse 9 he refers to himself as God's fellow worker. It is hard to imagine a role more significant
than God's partner in ministry. How can
Paul hold both beliefs at once?

Journaling

Read 1
Corinthians 3:10-17

Paul says he laid
the foundation for a building and other people are continuing its
construction. What does this building
symbolize?

In verse 16 Paul does not tell the Corinthian
Christians that each of them is a temple of God.Instead he says that
collectively they are God's temple. The
Greek word translated "you" is plural. Read verses 16 and 17 again being careful not
to let an individualistic mindset influence your interpretation.

"If anyone
destroys God's temple, God will destroy him." Based on this verse, how do you think God
feels about His church?

As part of His
sacred temple, how does God feel about you?

Journaling

Read 1
Corinthians 3:10-17

What does
gold/silver ministry look like? What
does hay/straw ministry look like?

Verses 14 and 15 say
we will be rewarded if our work passes the test, and we will suffer loss if it
does not. What reward or loss do you
think people will receive?

Spend some time
imagining what the Day of Judgment will be like. What emotions will you experience? Will there be anything you will wish you had
done differently?

When it passes
through the fire, what will be revealed about your work?

Journaling

Read 1
Corinthians 3:18-23

If in any area of
your life you have bought into worldly wisdom, you have been deceived in that
area. Ask God to reveal any worldly
thought patterns in your mind.

Are you willing to
look like a fool to other people so you can learn wisdom from God?

What does Paul mean
when he says, "All things are yours?"
Do you really believe the world, life, death, the present and the future
are yours?

Reflect on the
statement, "You are of Christ."
How could this truth change the way you think?

Journaling

Chapter 2 contrasts
God's wisdom with worldly wisdom.
Chapter 3 continues to develop this idea. In the first few verses Paul criticizes the
Corinthian Christians for thinking in worldly ways. At the end of chapter 3 he urges them to
discard worldly wisdom for true wisdom.