1 Corinthians 2:10b–13

As we continue through 1 Corinthians we begin to notice one of the major themes arise: the Holy Spirit's presence and work.

This week we see how Paul points us to the Spirit's presence as the basis for our capacity to know God. Here's the video:

Remember if you want to catch up on previous studies, you can visit the 1 Corinthians Study playlist to see them all.

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 2:6–10a

What is the wisdom hidden from the world but revealed in God? This week our study begins to unpack this mysterious wisdom as discussed in Paul's letter to the Corinthian church.

Here's the video:

To see the whole series in this study, click on this link: 1 Corinthians Bible Study

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 2:1–5 Application Questions

As we consider how to apply Paul's words from the beginning of chapter 5, think through the following questions:

• How do Paul's words about lofty speech and wisdom apply to our celebrity preacher culture today? Do you ever struggle with the desire for the preaching at Trinity to be more like a TV or radio preacher that you appreciate? Does the "celebrity" status of those preachers have a tendency to draw more attention to the preacher/speaker than to Christ and the Gospel?
• Do you watch for "fear and trembling" in the preaching at Trinity Church? What would it mean if our preachers (either our pastor or guest preachers) put confidence in themselves and in their preaching skills and abilities? 
• What is the role of the Holy Spirit in preaching? And what is his role in listening to preaching? Do you find yourself relying on the Holy Spirit to hear and understand the wisdom of the Word of God preached? Why or why not? How could you approach the preaching of the Word with greater reliance on the Holy Spirit?

Suggested Prayers:

• Lord, help me to hear when your Word is preached faithfully, and to turn aside from temptations to wish that I could sit under the preaching of a "celebrity" preacher. Give me a greater appreciation for preaching done not with lofty speech or worldly wisdom but by the power of God.
• Father, give my pastor fear and trembling each time he steps into the pulpit, and cause him to rely on you in every way as he preaches. 
• Jesus, may your Gospel always be the central teaching of every sermon at Trinity. Renew our focus on you, Lord Christ, and the work of your saving grace in our midst.
• Holy Spirit, guide my heart to hear your Word as it is preached, and teach me to listen more closely according to the ways you have shaped the sermons I hear. Show me my need for the Gospel each time I listen to preaching, and show me how the Gospel fulfills that need more than I could ask or imagine.

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 2:1–5

Resuming our study in 1 Corinthians after a month break, this week we start into chapter 2 and look at how Paul describes his own sense of calling when it came to presenting the message of the Gospel to the Corinthian church.

Here's the video:

If you're still catching up to us in this study, you can see all of the videos here:

1 Corinthians Study Playlist

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 1:26–31

Today we continue in studying 1 Corinthians, wrapping up the first chapter by discussing how—and why—Paul instructed that we "boast in the Lord."

Here's the video:

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 1:18–25 application questions

Following up on the video discussion from yesterday, here are some questions and reflections for application.

• Do you think of yourself as being "on the way" with regard to your salvation? And do you see the cross as the power to enable you to continue to grow and progress in it? What leads us at times to think the we are "past the cross" and focus on something else?
• What comes to mind when you think of "power"? What are powerful things, in your opinion? Consider what makes them powerful to you. Do you see those things in the cross? What does the "power of the cross" teach you about real power? 
• What comes to mind when you think of "folly" and "foolishness"? How is what the world offers in terms of "power" actually folly compared to God? 
• Which of the two groups do you tend to be like the most: the Jews, who need signs to believe, or the Greeks, who need convincing arguments or eloquent words? What did this passage speak to in your heart, about these tendencies?

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 1:18–25

In this study we look at Paul's contrast of power—specifically the power of God—with folly, and especially the folly of humanity.

Here's the video:

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 1:10–17 application questions

Following up on Paul's words about the splinter groups and factions in the Corinthian church, we might consider the following questions about application...

• What kinds of "groups" have emerged with people in your church (including in your own life)? Are there people that follow certain people (e.g., R.C. Sproul, Tim Keller, John Piper), schools (e.g., Calvinism, the Puritans), movements or issues (e.g., particular schooling methods, social justice matters)? 
• How do the voices that exercise this kind of selectivity add and enrich the conversations within your congregation? How do they challenge you in ways that you haven't thought of before? How do they advance a deeper understanding of the Gospel and Kingdom?
• Do any of those selectivity patterns distract the congregation from the Gospel? What causes that to happen in your context?
• In light of Paul's words, how ought we to approach selectivity within the church? How can we see it as strengthening the church? How ought we to take care with it? 
• Get introspective for a moment: in what ways do your own selectivity preferences present a distraction from the Gospel for you? What do you need to re-align to put them into proper perspective in light of the Gospel?

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 1:10–17

This week as we continue into Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth, we see that he shifted from introduction to the start of addressing issues and concerns—starting with his concern about the divisions within the congregation.

Here's the video for this study:

Trinity Study: 1 Corinthians 1:4–9

Continuing in our brief studies in 1 Corinthians, today we look at the rest of the introduction/greeting section in vv. 4–9. In this short section, Paul gives thanks for how God has enriched the church.

Here's the video:

During the video, I mentioned that we (the Trinity session) would like it if all of our members completed a spiritual gifts inventory and sent us the results. I am grateful that LifeWay has provided a free copy of their spiritual gifts inventory online; you can find it here:
https://www.lifeway.com/en/articles/women-leadership-spiritual-gifts-growth-service

If you would, please download the PDF and complete the inventory sometime over the next week or two. Then email me either a copy of your completed inventory summary or simply a list of those gifts that it shows that you have. Thanks!