1/27 “Shadows of the Cross on the Family” 1 Cor. 5-7

shadows of the cross Title: Shadows of the Cross on the Family

Texts: 1 Cor. 5 - 7

In a Nutshell:  The big picture of these chapters tends to get blurred or distracted by our culture’s points of contention in some cases, “battle lines.” The topics of food, sex, personal rights, slavery, judgment, discipline and law suits are all mentioned in chapters 5-7. There is no better list of topics with which to start church or family fights!  The core topics of living life with good judgment and avoiding dangerous “contaminations” can get lost in the drama of public opinion.  There are topics in these chapters you won’t want me to mention, like sex with a prostitute, taking a brother to court, incest and celibacy, but they do provide incredible illustrations of the Apostle Paul’s point.  God’s Spirit in us should not be regarded with a casual attitude.  Purity is not only important to our well being, it is beneficial in helping us understand and manage all life decisions and relationships.  The nurturing of a complete trust relationship between a husband and wife can help us understand what God wants with us.

Ice Breaker: Imagine you’ve gone to your favorite restaurant and ordered one of their best dishes. You sit down where you can see the door to the kitchen.  Just as the second course, your entrée comes your way, you see a mouse run out of the kitchen door into the dining room. What do you think? How do you react?

THIS SUNDAY’S OUTLINE:

A summary of biblical principles

  • 1 Cor. 6:12
  • 1 Cor. 5:7-8
  • 1 Cor. 6:5-8
  • 1 Cor. 6:19-20
  • 1 Cor. 7:17,28,32-35

The key issue as worded by The MESSAGE 1 Cor. 5:5-8 Your flip and callous arrogance in these things bothers me. You pass it off as a small thing, but it’s anything but that. Yeast, too, is a “small thing,” but it works its way through a whole batch of bread dough pretty fast. So get rid of this “yeast.” Our true identity is flat and plain, not puffed up with the wrong kind of ingredient. The Messiah, our Passover Lamb, has already been sacrificed for the Passover meal, and we are the Unraised Bread part of the Feast. So let’s live out our part in the Feast, not as raised bread swollen with the yeast of evil, but as flat bread—simple, genuine, unpretentious.”  In other words – If you are a Christian it’s not about you anymore!

  • The relevant topics illustrating selfishness in church and family relationships:
  • Discipline a midst defiance – 1 Cor. 5
  • Godly standards of morality – 1 Cor. 5 & 6
  • Conflict resolution – 1 Cor. 6:1-8
  • The marriage covenant – 1 Cor. 7
  • End times difficulties and priorities – 1 Cor. 7:17-35

CONNECTING WITH THE TEXTS:

Let’s assume discernment, trust and purity are at the core of every other topic in these chapters:

  1. What do these three have to do with inappropriate sexual relationships? 1 Cor. 5:1,2; 6:15-17
  2. Does 1 Cor. 5:9-12 & Lk. 6:37; Mt. 7:1-5 contradict each other?
  3. What are some core principles Paul describes in these chapters?
  4. 1 Cor. 5:6-8
  5. 1 Cor. 6:5-8
  6. 1 Cor. 6:12
  7. 1 Cor. 7:17
  8. 1 Cor. 7:29-34
    1. Which one of the sins listed in 1 Cor. 5:11 & 6:9,10 are more or less damaging to the body and soul? ;)
    2. How important does it seem to Paul that God’s spirit is in a person and thus we should work to remain pure?  1 Cor. 5:7-8; 6:19; 7:40
    3. What kind of relationships should we have with Christians that seem to willfully sin? 1 Cor. 5:9-12; 6:9-11;
    4. What does 1 Cor. 6:12-20 say about a Christian’s willingness to participate in sexual immorality?

REFLECTING ON YOUR LIFE: 

  1. What has your family life taught you about trust, commitment, and fulfillment in relationships?
  2. What has your relationship with your wife taught you about your desire to love God and receive His love?

CONNECTING WITH YOUR CHURCH:

  1. How should a church balance the need for purity from its members? (1 Cor. 5)
  2. How might a church help its members to avoid going to court in lawsuits?
  3. Our Church's Shepherding Policy is how we view and seek to apply the principles of Church Discipline.  The goal is restoration, not punishment.

CARE Sheet Resources:

NEXT WEEK:                                                                                                              

Title:  “Shadows of the Cross in the Feast”

Text:  1 Cor. 10 - 11

Questions: To what end were the events of Israel’s history recorded? 1 Cor. 10:6  What is an overriding principle that should be applied to any “feasts” we share in? 1 Cor. 10:33 What was the Corinthian church doing wrong in regards to the Lord’s Supper? 1 Cor. 11:17-34

Parents with your children:  Take some time this week to read Scriptures about the Lord’s Supper with your children.  You can find resources here: http://dougdelp.wordpress.com/the-lords-supper/  discuss with your children when and how a person should take Communion.

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