Read 1^st
Corinthians 11:2-10

“Now I want you to
realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man,
and the head of Christ is God.” (verse 3) Often
we think of headship in our modern society as a negative thing. In a
materialistic, greed driven culture, every body wants to get ahead, everyone
wants to be in power. In short, everyone wants to be their own God.
Furthermore, whenever we do relinquish power, we often find that those in power
abuse what they have been given. I think of politicians. I think of the child
abuse of the Catholic Church. I think of abusive husbands. I think of their
wives quivering in a corner next to a phone, fearing that if they tell anyone
what happened, their husband will come in and end them. I think of those same
women, taking their frustration and anger out on their children, because that
is the only place that they can be in control. I see a world that abuses power,
and does not trust those who have it. For the most part, this is the reality.
This is all we have known. But there is a headship that is not abusive, that is
not self seeking. In Christ we see our infinite God coming down to earth, and
allowing himself to be tortured, mocked and crucified, all for our sake. We see
a Father who does things not for his own gain, but for us. He does not say “I
love you” to manipulate us into sexually gratifying him. He does not say “trust
me” to trick us out of our livelihood. Rather, he sacrifices himself for us.
That is a leader who is worth following, a Father worth trusting. As far as we
our under his headship, we are safe. As long as fathers and husbands are
following God and trying to live like Christ, they too are worthy to be
followed,and trusted. Anyone else, is an authority from the evil one.
Anyone else, is a dictating brute that I will resist to my very end, and will
fight to protect others from. Men, run headlong after Christ. Protect those who
can’t protect themselves from the physical evils of this world. Women, serve
like Christ, and pursue men who are fighting tooth and nail to be like God. Be
vulnerable with that man. Trust him. Allow him to lead you to wondrous places
you never thought you would go. But ultimately, and most importantly, take
refuge in Christ. Trust his lead.

What is the purpose of a man not covering his head when he
prays or prophecies?

Hint: Look for reasons
that are given in the text.

What is the purpose of a woman covering her head when she
prays or prophecies?

Journaling

Read 1^st
Corinthians 11:11-16

At first glance verses 11 and 12 may seem out of place. The preceding verses talk about covering (or
not covering) one’s head – as do the following verses. How do verses 11 and 12 fit into this
context, and what was Paul’s motivation for including them?

What is “the very nature of things” and how does it teach
about long hair?

Were Paul’s instructions in this text specifically for the
church at Corinth,
or did they apply to all churches?

How does this text apply to your life? Often Biblical
instructions have little surface level connection to us because of our
separation of time and space from the initial context to which it was written.
But underneath the cultural context, there is almost always a deep and timeless
principle waiting to be found. What are the timeless truths in this
section?

Journaling

Read 1^st
Corinthians 11:17-22

Things were so bad at the church in Corinth that Paul says their meetings did
more harm than good. Have you ever been
part of an unhealthy church? How did you
handle it?

Paul emphasizes the importance of unity. This is particularly striking because the
church in Corinth
was so messed up. Yet, Paul scoffs at
the idea of forming a separate group. He
insists on unity. Have you used people’s
shortcomings to justify a divisive attitude?

What does Paul see as the real motive for divisions? Does your pride get in the way of unity with
other Christians?

What was wrong with the way the Lord’s Supper was celebrated
in Corinth? Why does Paul criticize this so strongly?

How were the poor humiliated during the Lord’s Supper?

Journaling

Read 1^st
Corinthians 11:23-26

Jesus Himself instituted the Lord’s Supper. Read the accounts in Matthew 26:26-29, Mark
14:22-25 and Luke 22:14-20.

Why does Jesus ask repeatedly that we remember Him as we
take the Lord’s Supper?

How does participating in the Lord’s Supper proclaim His
death?

Spend some time reflecting on the meaning of the Lord’s
Supper.

Journaling

Read 1^st Corinthians
11:27-34

What does it mean to drink the cup of the Lord in an
unworthy manner? Why would it be sinning
against the Lord?

God will judge anyone who partakes of the Lord’s Supper
improperly. List the physical
consequences of God’s judgment. Why
would God give such severe consequences?

What is God’s motivation for judging us?

Paul says a person should examine himself (verse 27) and
judge himself (verse 31) before participating in the Lord’s Supper. Resolve to follow this advice whenever you take
the Lord’s Supper.

In light of this passage, do you treat the Lord’s Supper
seriously enough?

Journaling