How many of you have ever given something up for the sake of someone else?

I will tell you that one of my favorite gifts from God is sleep. This is something our bodies must have to be healthy and to thrive, not to mention the great feeling we have in the morning after a good night’s rest! However, as a mother, I can list countless sleepless nights nursing or rocking crying babies, or missing sleep just to watch how precious they were as they slept. As they grew up, those nights translated into comforting them when they were sick and cleaning up puke that had erupted like a volcano, quieting down their slumber parties, soothing them after a nightmare, and spending much time on my knees praying that God would watch over them.

I may have had quite a few times that I was tempted to stomp and throw a tantrum, asserting my right to a good night’s sleep. Maybe I could have held a strike and picketed their bedrooms with signs declaring, “Moms need sleep too!”  Sleep deprivation can make a person feel crazy! Yet, for the sake of my precious children, I gladly gave up my rights for a time. It is something we moms do without thought to our own inconvenience.

As a pastor’s wife, I have had numerous opportunities to visit hospitals in the middle of the night to pray for folks, to donate time and money for those in need, and to sacrifice countless hours serving behind the scenes in ways no one will ever see. However, when I consider the sacrifice Christ made for me, I realize that anything I have given up is nil in comparison. Have I really sacrificed so much? But, to see others come to Christ and be strengthened in their faith is a greater reward than anything I have given up!

Paul begins this week’s theme of living beyond ourselves in chapter 9 with the declaration that he could expect, and even demand certain rights as a preacher of the Gospel. The people should provide for his needs. However, he was happy to lay down those rights for the sake of winning many to Christ. How could ever put his own needs above the opportunity to spread the message of the Gospel and win the lost?

He goes on further in chapter 9 to compare our journey of faith in Christ to running a race, and he urges us to train and discipline ourselves to become spiritually fit. If we want to live beyond ourselves, we must first be strong spiritually.

Other concepts we have tackled this week are finding common ground with others, avoiding the common pitfalls of sin, how to respond to others in gray areas, understanding cultural context and its impact on interpreting Scripture, submission and humility, and the proper attitude toward the observance of Communion.

What a rich week of study we have had! I love this! I pray that you are being blessed through this as well!

Discussion Questions

Here is a sneak peek of the questions we will be discussing this week in our small groups.

ICE BREAKER: What is your favorite restaurant, and what is your favorite dish from this restaurant?

“In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it… What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News.” 1 Corinthians 9:14, 19 NLT

QUESTION 1: In chapter 9, Paul stated his right to be supported as a preacher of the Gospel. However, he gladly laid down his rights so that many would come to know Christ. What are some things you have sacrificed, or inconveniences you have endured, for the sake of ministering to others? Would you agree it was worth it? (Come to think of it, in light of all that Christ sacrificed, we haven’t really lost that much!)

“When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22 NLT

QUESTION 2: One of the most effective ways to share the Gospel with others is to find common ground and relate to them. However, that does not mean to fake interest in order to sell Christ to them. What are some ways we can genuinely look for common ground, or build a relationship with others who do not know Christ?

QUESTION 3: In chapter 9, verses 24-27, Paul describes our walk with Christ as running a race. As an athlete must discipline his body and run to win, we must also be spiritually fit in order to grow and effectively reach the lost for Christ. What are some spiritual disciplines we can do regularly to stay strong spiritually?

QUESTION 4: In chapter 10, Paul uses the example of the Israelites’ sins to warn the Corinthians to avoid the same pitfalls. He describes the sins of idolatry, immorality, and complaining. Choose one of these areas of sin and describe some action steps you can take to avoid sinking into this area of sin.

“ So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT

QUESTION 5: In chapter 11, Paul describes the cultural practice of women covering their heads when praying, and for men to have short hair. This is not a specific mandate for us today, but he was instructing them to comply with the cultural norms of the time. It is important to understand the cultural context of Scripture to understand the deeper meaning of the text. Culturally, this practice was to show that women were under the authority of men. (Yes, we are going there!)

In verses 11 and 12, Paul seems to redeem the value of women as he explains the interdependence of men and women; yet he also reminds them that the head of woman is man, and the head of man is Christ. God has an order, but understanding the unique roles or characteristics of each gender in no way diminishes the value or equality of either. Remember, both men and women were created in the image of God and have equal value in His sight.

At any time, we may find ourselves in a submissive role toward someone else, whether to our husbands, to someone in authority, or even to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul said in Ephesians 5:21, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” He also said in 1 Corinthians 10:24, “Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.” Can you think of some ways you can show humble submission and respect to others without losing your own sense of self-worth?

“That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.” 1 Corinthians 11:28

QUESTION 6: Paul concludes chapter 11 with instructions for partaking of Communion. What does it mean to you to examine your heart first? What does Communion mean to you?

This Week’s Assignments

1. Read 1 Corinthians, chapters 12-14 (Read commentary in addition if you wish.)
2. Read Week 5, “Living Love” pp. 143-170
3. Attend a small group
4. Watch this week’s video on Heart to Heart
5. Work on memorizing this week’s Bible verse:

 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT

1. Weekly Wrap-Up, pp. 171-172
2. Digging Deeper articles, Week 5: “A Controversial Gift” and “The Sound of Silence”
3. Blog or journal your insights.
4. Choose one “Practical Application” idea to implement this week.

See here for Reading Schedule, Practical Applications, and additional information.

I am praying that you have an awesome week of Bible study! I hope to see you in one of our small groups!

God bless!