First-fruits (vv. 20-23; cf. Exodus 23:19; Leviticus 23:10-11)

Resurrection (not Resuscitation) (vv. 17-19; John 11:5-16)

Why it Matters (vv. 12-19)

Discussion Starters

Monday—Read Leviticus 23:10-11, Why did God command Israel to bring their first-fruits to God? What was this supposed to communicate? Do you offer God your first-fruits?

Tuesday—What does it mean that Jesus is the first-fruits of the resurrection? How is that meant to be a comfort to you? How is your future resurrection tied to his in the past?

Wednesday—What’s the difference between resurrection and resuscitation? How is the fact that Jesus is resurrected meant to give you confidence on the Last Day?

Thursday—Why does Paul say that if Jesus is not raised, we are still in our sins and, of all people, most to be pitied? How would you respond to someone who says that the resurrection of Jesus isn’t important as much as the idea of resurrection?

Friday—Why does the Bible say Christians sleep (rather than die)? Why don’t you need to fear death?

Divisions in the Church (1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 2:1-5)

Christ Died For Our Sins (v.3)

Christ was Raised for Our Justification (v.4)

Discussion Starters

Monday—Have you encountered people who deny any concept of eternity or life after death? What do you think drives someone to believe that?

Tuesday—What are pet issues (other than Jesus Christ crucified and raised) that you have seen define churches? How do those pet issues distract churches from the heart of it all?

Wednesday—What does it mean that Jesus died “for our sins”? (v. 3) Why was his death necessary? How does is deal with our sins?

Thursday—What does it mean that he was raised “for our justification”? (Romans 4:25) What would the implication for us be if he remained in the grave?

Friday—Why is Jesus’ death and resurrection of “first importance”? How should this affect your focus as a Christian?

A Paralytic and a Tax Collector (Matthew 9:1-13) Unfaithful Israel (vv. 4-10) The Death (and Resurrection) of the Physician (vv. 1-3)

Discussion Starters

Monday—What was everyone expecting Jesus to say when the paralytic’s friends brought him to Jesus? Why did he say “your sins are forgiven?” How did healing his paralysis prove that his sins were forgiven?

Tuesday—Why did Jesus eat with sinners? How does that help you understand his heart and why he came? How does the Lord’s Supper reflect that and comfort you each week?

Wednesday—What was Israel’s problem in Hosea 6? Why does God accuse Israel of “whoredom”?

Thursday—How was Israel’s sin like Adam’s? (v. 7) Would you have done any better if you were in Adam’s place or in Israel? How does this passage describe the universal problem of humanity?

Friday—How was Jesus “torn” for you for two days? Why is his resurrection such a comfort to those who place their trust in him?

Self-Made Religion (2:16-19, 23)

Dying with Christ (2:20-23)

Raised with Christ (3:1-4)

Discussion Starters

Monday—What are some events in your life that shaped the person you are? What two events in history does Paul say define who a Christian is?

Tuesday—What is “self-made religion”? (v. 23) What are some telltale marks of self-made religion?

Wednesday—How do false teachers make their false doctrine appeal or sound reasonable? Does the Gospel makes sense to our normal expectations? Why or why not?

Thursday—What does it mean that you have died with Christ to this world? What does that tell you about the goals and methods of the gospel?

Friday—How do you seek the things above? What does it mean your life is hidden with Christ in heaven? What gives you the strength to endure suffering in this world for Jesus?

As you Received Christ Jesus… (vv. 6-7, 13-15)

Shadows and Substance (vv. 8-11, 16-17; Genesis 15, 17)

So Walk in Him (vv. 6-7)

Paul’s Struggle (1:28 - 2:2)

Paul’s Message (1:25-28; 2:3-4)

Paul’s Joy (1:24; 2:5)

Discussion Starters

Monday—Why does verse 24 make people stumble? What’s is the concern about Paul saying that there’s something lacking in Christ’s afflictions?

Tuesday—How is Paul’s ministry a struggle (or literally “agonizing”)? So why does he do it?

Wednesday—What does Paul mean that Jesus is the substance of his message? (1:28) What does it mean to proclaim Jesus?

Thursday—How do false teachers use biblical words, but change their meaning? Why would they do this rather than just use different language? What does this mean for you if you want to be on guard against false teaching?

Friday—What did Jesus mean when he said that Paul was persecuting him? (Acts 9:3-4) Why does Paul rejoice in his sufferings for the church? How does this help you understand your suffering?

Infinitely Glorious (vv. 15-17, 19)

Willingly Humbled (vv. 18-19)

Graciously Loving (vv. 18-23)

Discussion Starters

Monday—What does it mean that Jesus is the image of the invisible God? How does he show us who God is?

Tuesday—Is Jesus a creation or the Creator? What does it mean that the fullness of God dwells within him? What does it mean that he is the “firstborn of creation”?

Wednesday—Was it an honor or a humiliation for Jesus to take on flesh and blood and become man? Why was he willing to do it?

Thursday—What does Jesus require of those who come to him for salvation? Why is it necessary to continue in the faith?

Friday—Why did God not leave us any physical description of Jesus? What physical representation did he give us? Why? What does it emphasize?

Saints (vv. 2, 13-14) Defined by Faith, Hope, and Love (vv. 3-8) A Manner of Life Worthy of the Lord (vv. 9-12) Discussion Starters

Monday—What is a saint? Are you a saint? Does that mean that you are more righteous than other people?

Tuesday—What is Jesus’ kingdom? How can you already be a citizen of his kingdom? How does that define who you are?

Wednesday—What is biblical faith? What does it meant that your faith is “in Jesus”? What does it cost you to place your faith in him?

Thursday—What is the Christian inheritance? Where is it stored up? What does that mean for your relationship to the things of this world?

Friday—Why is love so important in the Christian life? Love for whom? Why does the fact that the Colossians are known for their love bring such joy to Paul?

Groanings too Deep for Words (Hebrews 12:22-24; Romans 8:26)

The Shape of Worship (Jeremiah 30:21; Psalm 110; 120-134; Leviticus 1:1-9; Hebrews 4:14-16; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 2:2; Deuteronomy 26; Numbers 24:25-26; Isaiah 6:8-13)

The Substance of Worship (Zechariah 3:1-10)

Brett McNeill. February 8, 2026. Olympia, WA.

Discussion Starters

Monday—Is worship important for Christians? Does this mean Christians agree on what worship is? What are some different ways that Christians think about worship?

Tuesday—Is worship chiefly about instruction, motivation, or intimacy with your heavenly Father? Why? how does that affect you understand worship?

Wednesday—What is the shape of worship? How would you describe the progression of the worship? Why do you think it follows the order it does?

Thursday—How does the worship service mirror or reflect the Christian life? What do we re-enact that every week?

Friday—What is God trying to remind you every week? Why does he do that?