IBC Richmond

Application Questions:

How and why does pride cause division? Pick out specific references to pride in 1 Corinthians 3:18-4:21.

What are servants and stewards according to 1 Corinthians 4:1? How should you treat your pastors as leaders?

What regular practices can weed out pride from the heart?

The Apostle Paul said, "I urge you, then, be imitators of me" (1 Cor 4:16). Should Christians imitate Christians? Is it proud to invite a person to act like you? How much of discipleship is imitation?

Application Questions:

1 Corinthians 3 uses three analogies for the church—infants, a garden, and a building. What is the overall theme expressed by these analogies?

How should Christians understand eternal rewards? Should being rewarded by God motivate you? What crowns are listed in the New Testament?

Do you regularly think about God evaluating your actions? What is the difference between wood, hay, straw and gold, silver, precious stone?

If God gives spiritual growth, how ought churches evaluate the effectiveness of their efforts?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

1 Corinthians 1:25 says, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” Apply this to life. How does this truth influence your decisions and affect your independence?

How does God demonstrate power in salvation? Define what it means to be ‘called’ in this text.
What distinguishes the “wisdom of this age” from the “hidden wisdom of God”?

How much of the Bible can an unbeliever understand? What limitations does a natural person have according to 1 Corinthians 2:14?

Application Questions:

Read again 1 Corinthians 1:10-11. What issues must Christians agree on in order to faithful obey Scripture’s call for church unity?

Who is your favorite pastor, theologian, Bible teacher, or author? How do you guard against hero worship?

Is baptism required for salvation? Why do Baptist churches require it for church membership?

What is the appropriate use of personality in preaching? In what ways should preaching avoid the ‘eloquent wisdom’ that Paul disavowed in 1 Corinthians 1:17?

Application Questions:

Why is the church described as a Body in 1 Corinthians? What characteristics does the image of a body suggest for the local church?

Is there an overall theme to the book of 1 Corinthians? How would you state it in one sentence?

What issues caused division in the Corinthian church? Should these issues create conflict? Why or why not?

What is the difference between the universal church and the local church in 1 Corinthians 1:2?

The Apostle Paul’s letters to the church in Corinth are timely for our own church. Watch as Pastor Michael shares why he has chosen 1 and 2 Corinthians for our new sermon series.

Application Questions:

What three contemporary ways can a Christian woman replicate specific Proverbs 31 principles?

Where does the Proverbs 31 woman find motivation for her good works? What is the root, cause, or source for such altruism?

Read Proverbs 31:30 and answer the following question: How important is physical beauty as compared to spiritual wisdom?

Who is the closest example of feminine virtue in your life? Share her story with someone this week.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

How do today’s actions influence tomorrow’s outcomes? List things the Bible values as eternal.

As it applies to your past ask the following questions: Do I embrace, take care of, and have gratitude for my current situation? Do I take responsibility for the world that has been both given to me and created by me? Do I bring my past to bear on my present?

As it applies to your future ask the following question: Who am I to serve? Where am I to be? What burden am I called to bear? How am I to influence?

All things considered, what is one biblical principle living wisely today?

Application Questions:

What are the limits of self-understand or self-awareness? Do these leave you capable or incapable of knowing God?

Read the five questions in Proverbs 30:4. What ultimate, existential question would you add to the list? Is it humanly possible to answer these without God?

How do you define the doctrines of biblical inspiration and inerrancy? What Scripture texts would you list alongside Proverbs 30:5-6?

Does God know what is needful for you? Do you trust him? Have you experienced his provision? Do you pray confidently out of your need?

Application Questions:

What is providence? Are God’s providence and sovereignty identical?

How do you prepare for the next day? What difference does providence make in daily planning?

What was casting lots in the Bible? Give examples. Does God work through randomness?

How does God’s providence relate to Romans 8:28? Is it contingent on man’s love and calling?