Our hearts are always preaching and being preached to. The world and our own hearts naturally prize our own wisdom and strength. But the gospel is best received in weakness, so that we are better able to see what is most true and rest in not in our own wisdom, but in God’s power.

Paul transitions from talking about the foolishness of the cross to talking about the foolishness of the church according to worldly standards. God has designed the church to be weak and foolish according to the world's standards, because this brings Him great glory.

Application Questions:

1. What does allegiance look like in your life?
2. How does your job, your worldly "success," attempt to draw your allegiance and identity in ways that undermine your allegiance to Christ?
3. What does humility look like in your life in a way that brings Christ great glory?

Paul teaches the Corinthians the difference between the wisdom of the city and God’s wisdom. Worldly wisdom focuses on success, significance, and strength, while God’s wisdom reveals itself in the seeming insignificance and weakness of Christ crucified.

Application Questions:

1. In your own words, how would you describe the “wisdom of the world” that Paul talks about in this passage?  

2. How have you seen the gospel look like foolishness to others?

3. How do you struggle with the desire to be seen as significant and strong in the eyes of the world?

4. What would it look like for you to live with “Christ crucified” as the narrative for your own life?

The world offers us countless social, religious, and political tribes. When these tribes show up inside the church they turn disagreements into divisions. These tribes tell us that they are our most significant identity and the reason for our hope. But, in reality, they're just God-replacements characterized by empty promises and fleeting belonging. Christ offers us a better way.

Application Questions:

1. What tribes are you tempted to look to for identity, wholeness, hope, and belonging?

2. In your most honest moments, who are "those kinds of Christians" that you have the hardest time with?

3. How does the gospel, and union we have with Christ, break down all the dividing walls that tend to pop up in the church?

4. What is a practical step you can take to fight against the temptation toward division?

The book of 1 Corinthians is written to Christians in a vibrant and challenging city. Paul writes to show them a better way to live than what their city has on offer, and in this introduction he lays the foundation: the grace we find in Christ. 

Application Questions:

1. How does the description of Corinth compare to your experience of Los Angeles?

2. Paul mentions four blessings Christians receive by grace—identity, wholeness, hope, and fellowship. Which one stands out to you the most and why?

3. Do you find it hard to connect your faith to your daily life in Los Angeles? How can the truths in this passage help you see that connection?

Paul closes the letter to the Galatians by reminding them not to boast in the flesh, but to boast in the cross of Jesus Christ. 

Application Questions:

1. How has Galatians affected you over the past several months? 

2. How do you experience the siren song of boasting in yourself or something in the world? 

3. What about boasting in the cross excites you? What about boasting in the cross challenges you?

A life of freedom is a life lived for the good of others. When we are set free from our self-salvation projects, we are able to live the deeply interdependent relational lives we were created to live. The problem is, living our lives for others often makes us tired and weary. It doesn't feel as picturesque as the Bible describes it. Paul meets us in our weariness with a surprising anecdote: a reminder about how God has created the world to function.

Application Questions:

1. How would you characterize your sacrificial generosity toward all those around you, the church family, and those that pastor you?

2. What about the generosity of others that you see inspires and motivates you?

3. What tends to make you weary in doing good?

4. How might remembering the sowing and reaping principle help give you energy and motivation to sacrificially love others (sow to the Spirit)?

Paul shows us how the fruit of the Spirit is meant to be directed outwardly to one another in the context of the Church. We are called to humility towards one another, not comparing and judging others. We are called to reconciliation with one another, forgiving and restoring. And we are called to sacrifice for one another, bearing one another's burdens.

Application Questions:

1. Do you view the church as an organization or as a family?

2. What does a posture of humility look like towards those around you? How can you stop the temptation to compare yourself to others?

3. How can you grow in restoration and reconciliation with brothers and sisters in Christ in your life?

4. Whose burdens can you bear now? How can you dedicate yourself to a life of burden bearing for the glory of Christ?

The fruit of the Spirit is not a list of things to do but a description of what Christian growth looks like. Paul shows us the content, the nature, and the process of Christian growth so that we can participate more fully in what the Spirit is doing in our lives.

Application Questions:

1. What is compelling to you about experiencing the fruit of the Spirit in your own life? 

2. Christian growth is organic, not mechanical. How can that be an encouragement to you this week?  

3. What are some practical ways you can cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in your own life?

The book of Galatians insists that Christians are free in Christ. But what does that freedom look like in your daily life? Paul explains that the life of the Christian is marked by a conflict of desires: old selfish desires combat new selfless desires inspired by the Holy Spirit. When we understand this conflict, we understand ourselves better, and we find hope for growth.

Application Questions:

1. What are some everyday examples of your fleshly desires opposing your Spirit-led desires? 

2. Why is freedom not a license to be selfish? 

3. How can the Holy Spirit give you hope for change this week?