4.

Discerning the message of wisdom for the new community

1 Corinthians 2: 1-9

  • Session: 4
  • Week: 1
  • Day: 4
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Introduction

In this session, 1 Corinthians chapter 2: 1-9, we will focus on how the messengers would influence the direction of the message through their choice of wisdom and our call to discern which wisdom is at work using the Spirit of God in us.

Objectives

By the end of this session, the learner will have:

  • Understood the impact of the messenger in influencing the church of God in the world
  • Evaluated the Three messages of wisdom, namely, the human wisdom, the rulers of the world wisdom and the Spirit of God’s wisdom
  • Appreciated that the church of God in Corinth’s understanding of the message of the cross as the only hope to their problem of sin was influenced by their different preachers

Outline

  • Messenger’s wisdom
  • Three types of wisdom
  • Message of the cross

Group Study Time

1 Corinthians 2: 1-9

Connecting

  • Gather with two or more people for a community discovery bible study session.
  • Start with a heartfelt prayer, inviting God to guide and bless your understanding.
  • Explore the passage by reading it at least twice, using different Bible versions if available, then retell the story together as a group.
  • Reflect and share the challenges and blessings you experienced from the previous study.

Comprehending

  • What is wisdom? , What is the meaning of message of wisdom or word of wisdom? How do your words of wisdom affect the church of God in the world?
  • What is discernment? How can the church of God in the world discern the word of wisdom?
  • List at least three things Paul said concerning his message of wisdom to the church of God in Corinth. 2: 1-5
  • Identify the three sources of messages of wisdom to the Church of God in the World. 2: 6-9 ( or who tells the church of God what to do ?), Compare with Gen 2: 17. on the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Committing

  • Engage with the Bible—read, study, memorize, meditate, pray, listen, and live it out.
  • List three lessons you have learnt as an agent of change that you would like to put into practice and teach others about.
  • Take time and worship Jesus with the attributes revealed about Christ.
  • Use the SPACEPETS model, to assist you in putting God’s word into practice. Look for:
    • Sin to confess
    • Promise to claim
    • Attitude to change
    • Command to keep
    • Error to change
    • Prayer to make
    • Example to copy
    • Truth to obey and
    • Something praiseworthy

Communicating

  • Identify one person you can connect with and share the valuable insights and lessons you gained from this session.
  • Reach out to a new believer—either in person or by phone—and pray with them to support them through their challenges, including any concerns about attending church.
  • Create a new group and guide others through this study to help them grow in their understanding.

Post Lesson Teaching Summary

Great job completing the study! Take a moment to listen to this summary to reinforce your group’s understanding of the text and ensure you’re all on the same page. We’re here to support your learning journey!

Discerning the message of wisdom for the new community

1 Corinthians 2: 1-9

1 Corinthians 2:1-9

Context

  • Paul continues addressing the Corinthian church’s divisions, emphasizing the need to rely on God’s wisdom rather than human wisdom to maintain unity and focus on the message of the cross.
  • The passage highlights Paul’s approach to preaching and the importance of discerning the source of wisdom through the Holy Spirit.

Discerning God’s Wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:1-9)

  • Paul’s Approach: Paul preached to the Corinthians without human eloquence or wisdom, despite personal weakness and fear, focusing solely on Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
  • Reliance on the Spirit: His preaching relied on the Spirit’s power, not persuasive words, to ensure the Corinthians’ faith rested on God’s power, not human wisdom.
  • Discerning Wisdom: Believers must discern between three spirits—God’s Spirit, human spirit, and the spirit of the world—to apply knowledge correctly, seeking wisdom from God, not self or the world.
  • God’s Wisdom: Paul spoke a message of wisdom among the mature, not the wisdom of this age’s rulers, which is fleeting, but God’s hidden, eternal wisdom destined for believers’ glory.
  • Hidden Mystery: God’s wisdom, a mystery unknown to worldly rulers (who crucified Christ), is revealed to believers, surpassing human understanding and offering divine glory.
  • Purpose: By preaching with the Spirit’s power and focusing on God’s wisdom, Paul ensures the church’s faith is rooted in Christ, avoiding worldly influences that cause division.

Application

  • Preach and live by the Spirit’s power, focus on Christ crucified, discern God’s wisdom over human or worldly wisdom, and apply knowledge to strengthen faith and unity.