Paul continues addressing a divided church by showing that the message that creates unity is the very message the world calls foolish. The “word of the cross” divides humanity into two groups—those who are perishing and those who are being saved—and it exposes the limits of human wisdom. God purposely saves in a way that kills boasting: He chooses the weak, the low, and the unimpressive so that all credit goes to Him. Paul even points to his own preaching as an example—he refused to rely on eloquence so the Corinthians’ faith would rest on God’s power, not human persuasion. Finally, Paul explains that God’s wisdom in salvation is revealed through His Word and made known by His Spirit. The result should be a church marked by humility, unity around the cross, and prayerful dependence on the Spirit’s work.

The apostle Paul launches into this corrective but hopeful letter by reminding the Corinthian church that their primary identity is not in their favorite leader, their gifts, or their preferences, but in Jesus Christ. They are called, sanctified, and held together by Him. Paul begins with gratitude, thanking God for the grace already at work among them, which reframes how we see a messy church. Instead of leading with frustration, he leads with thanksgiving rooted in God’s faithfulness. Yet he quickly addresses their divisions and points them back to the cross. The cross dismantles pride, levels the ground at the foot of Jesus, and becomes the only true antidote to rivalry in the body of Christ. When our identity is anchored in Christ, unity becomes possible because the cross becomes central.

This week we wrap up the Formed for More series by focusing on what it means to live sent as true disciples of Jesus. We were reminded that from the very beginning Jesus calls ordinary people to follow Him and then sends them to help others do the same. Being a disciple means seeing ourselves as missionaries wherever God has placed us and wherever He chooses to send us. We explored how Jesus empowers His people to be His witnesses in everyday life from our neighborhoods to the nations. Living sent happens through both going and telling our story and inviting others to come and see what God is doing.

This weekend, we looked back and celebrated all God has done over the past year in and through the life of our church family. We also began looking ahead to everything He’s calling us into during the next season. As we reflect on Jesus feeding the 5,000, we’re reminded that God delights to work through people who are willing to play their part in the story He’s writing in the world. Often, it’s only after we step out in faith and obedience that God moves most powerfully. As we remember how God used a small, faithful offering to produce abundance, let’s consider how each of us is being invited to participate in what God is doing as we pursue the vision of seeing 500 people saved and baptized and 50 people sent out to plant churches and reach the nations in the years ahead.

This week we saw that serving is at the heart of following Jesus. We were confronted with how easily comfort, busyness, or fear can keep us from stepping into a life of service to Jesus. God has entrusted every one of us with time to give, talent to use, and treasure to invest for His purposes. Serving isn’t about doing everything, but faithfully doing something with what God has placed in our hands. The invitation is to stop holding back and begin stewarding our lives in a way that reflects Jesus, builds His body, and expands His Kingdom across the street and around the world. 

This week we talked about how disciples are forged in community and why following Jesus was never meant to be a solo journey. The second pillar in our discipleship flywheel at New Life is: group. From the beginning God said it is not good for man to be alone, demonstrating that community and relationships are an essential part of His design for us. Scripture reminds us that iron sharpens iron and that growth happens as we live out the “one another” commands. The early church gathered, grouped, served and sent in ways that shaped them and the world around them. As a group, reflect on where you are choosing isolation versus community and how God might be inviting you to deeper connection and mutual formation.