19.

Warning from Israel’s History

1 Corinthians 10: 1-13

  • Session: 19
  • Week: 3
  • Day: 5
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Introduction

In this session, 1 Corinthians chapter 10: 1-13, the study focuses on understanding the Israelites’ journey from Egypt as a warning case study. We will see the causes of their disqualification from the prize and use it as a benchmark for us today. We will learn how to deal with temptation biblically.

Objectives

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

  • Appreciated the example of the Jewish journey as a warning to those who live now
  • Understood the cause of disqualification for the prize for the church of God by comparing themselves with the Israelite church

Outline

  • The Israelite journey as an example for us
  • What lessons can we learn from them
  • Temptation dynamics

Group Study Time

1 Corinthians 10: 1-13

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 favours the Israelites had attained on their journey to the promised land (prize), which today we are not supposed to be ignorant about 1 Corinthians 10: 1-4
  • Why did God disqualify them for the prize and overthrow them in the wilderness? 1 Corinthians 10: 5-10. List five reasons why they were disqualified from the prize.
  • What warning lessons does the church today learn? 1 Corinthians 10: 11-12.
  • What positive lessons does the church learn today about falling into the temptation of being disqualified 1 Corinthians 10:13.

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!

Warning from Israel’s History

1 Corinthians 10: 1-13

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Context

  • Paul uses the Israelites’ wilderness journey as a warning to the Corinthians against misusing freedoms and rights, which led to disqualification despite privileges.
  • The passage highlights self-discipline to avoid idolatry and temptation, drawing parallels to the church’s spiritual journey.

Warnings from Israel’s History (1 Corinthians 10:1-13)

  • Privileges and Disqualification: Despite spiritual privileges (cloud, sea crossing, manna, water from rock), most Israelites were disqualified and perished due to idolatry, immorality, testing God, and grumbling.
  • Examples for Us: These events serve as warnings; do not crave evil, commit idolatry (e.g., golden calf), engage in immorality (23,000 died), test Christ, or grumble (10,000 died by snakes).
  • Using Rights Wisely: Forgo or use rights for God’s glory, others’ good, personal growth, and defeating enemies, as Paul modeled in chapter 9.
  • Overcoming Temptation: Temptations are common; God is faithful, limiting them to what you can bear and providing a way out to endure, distinguishing temptation (from Satan) from testing (from God).
  • Self-Discipline: Like athletes, discipline the body to avoid disqualification; run purposefully for the imperishable crown.
  • Purpose: Learn from Israel’s failures to use freedoms wisely, endure temptation, and pursue the eternal prize through discipline.

Application

  • Avoid misusing freedoms like the Israelites
  • Practice self-discipline, trust God’s faithfulness in temptation, and use rights for glory, growth, and others’ good to finish the race faithfully.