This section does not merely promote taking up offering
every Sunday. Rather, it is a principle for supporting the church all over the
world. The offering that Paul is asking the
church of Corinth to take up is going to a
church in Jerusalem. If we have money and another church is in
need, it is our duty to help support the body of Christ.

We are connected by the Holy Spirit to Christians all over
the world whose names we will not even know until we meet them in heaven. When
was the last time you prayed for another church in you area? In your country? In another country? Take some time now to do
so.

What are things that you spend money on that could be better
spent in support of the worldwide church? Write these things down and pray
about them throughout the week; allow God to convict you. You may even want to
try giving some of these things up for this week, and see if you might be able
to give them up permanently and use the money for others.

Journaling:

“...there are many adversaries.” How often have we said or prayed, “God, open
a door...” When we pray this we tend to
think that God is going to make things easier.
Here’s a lesson from Paul: an open door from God may mean that things
will become tougher. Jesus has called us
to minister to the broken, the beaten, the oppressed, the hurting, the poor,
and the difficult. An opportunity to serve the cause of Christ will mean that we
have to deal with some ridiculously hard times.
There are countries in the world where it is illegal to go and be a
missionary. Does that mean that God has
not opened a door and we should just let the people there be? Absolutely not! The way of Jesus of Nazareth is a hard,
narrow path that few follow. Will you
have the courage to follow Him?

How often do you pray for God to send you opportunities to
serve on his behalf? Take some time and
do that now.

Take some time in reflection before you answer this question: Are you willing to give everything, even your
very life, for the cause of Jesus and his Kingdom?

Journaling:

“Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” If you are reading a different translation,
instead of “be courageous” yours might have the phrase, “act like a man.” That is a literal translation of the Greek
word andridzomai. It basically means, “Man up!” It is not saying that everyone needs to act
like men, but rather, like the NRSV says that I quoted above, “be courageous”.

16:14 says to “Do everything in love.” This ushers back to
chapter 13, Paul’s ultimate treatise on love. Go back and read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.
Does anything you’ve done in the past week stand out to you as something that
was not done in love? If so, what was
it? (This is a very high standard, but don’t get discouraged, it takes practice).

Our society has a lot of men who are over-compensating,
misogynistic chauvinists. We also have a lot of men who are for all practical
purposes, little boys. It’s hard for a man to know who he is supposed to follow
and be like; there are so few godly examples out there. What’s the biblical
image of a “courageous” masculinity? Is not our ultimate display of masculinity
founded in Christ? What did his courageousness, his manliness, look like? (Note that the very next verse after ‘be a man/courageous’ talks about love, a word commonly attached to Christ-like
masculinity in places like Ephesians 5:25-33.)

What are some struggles in your life where you need to be
courageous and strong for your faith?
What are some ways to overcome them?

Journaling:

Do you have someone older and wiser in your life
who you submit to? Mentors are one of the greatest blessings God gives us as we
grow in this messed up world. What we are desperately struggling with right
now, they may have wrestled with 10, 15 or even 30 years ago. They can lovingly
help walk us through it. If you don’t have a mentor, start looking around at
church, or asking others for suggestions. Find someone who is trustworthy and
godly. Don’t be afraid of how they will respond when you ask. Imagine if
someone younger came and asked you if they could spend time with you and learn from your life; how
would that make you feel? These kinds of people not only have tons to offer
you, but are usually very excited that you want them to be in your life. Almost
nothing has compared to the inspiration, encouragement, guiding wisdom and love
I get from my mentor. Get on it.

Though the above paragraph about mentorship applies to
everyone, it is especially relevant to those who were not raised by godly
parents. If this is you, allow older men and women at your church to love,
cherish and guide you the way you deserved to be since birth. I was very scared
of getting a mentor, because my image of older role models was one of anger and
pain. Since letting my mentor into my life, he has helped me walk through these
issues. Through him I have come to appreciate and love the idea of God as
Father, for my mentors love and leadership has given me an image of what a
father truly is. There is a reason God created and gave us the family unit. It
helps form us into the people we are going to be. It is meant to show and teach
us what love, patience, mercy, masculinity, womanhood, kindness and grace are
all about. If you have not had this at home, allow the church body to be your
family. Are you pursuing and surrounding yourself with Godly older men and
women? If your answer is no, then read the last sentence of the previous
paragraph.

Journaling:

Paul’s last statements are some powerful commands of
faith. Their position here at the end
means that Paul wants them to be the closing note for his letter; the thoughts
that are meaning to linger in our minds long after. There are four big ideas here: love the Lord,
hope for his return, the grace of Jesus, and let there be love in Christ
Jesus. If you get nothing else out of our
entire study of 1^st Corinthians, let these four things be emblazoned
on your heart and mind.

In this text Aquila and
Priscilla open up their home to the entire church. In light of this, how can
you serve the church better than you are now?
I am not simply talking about the amount of time or money you donate. Do
you have something that you can share with the community that you have been
holding back? A meeting place to offer to the group? A car you can drive people
around in? Perhaps you have a gift with words of affirmation? Give it some
thought.

Greeting another ‘with a holy kiss’ was a socially
acceptable custom in the ancient world to show another person that you cared
about them. What would this look like today? A hug, or some kind words? It
seems simplistic, but how you greet someone can go a long way. How can you
affirm and make others feel loved by the way you greet them?

What are some ways that you could tangibly spread love and
grace in your community this next week?

Journaling: