1 Corinthians Week 2

Day 1 

READ 

1 Corinthians 1:11-12 

¹¹ For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹² Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.” 

Paul had appealed for the believers in Corinth to have harmony with no divisions. These verses tell what he had heard about their fellowship. They had become divided about which leader they wished to follow. The fourth group he mentioned put themselves up as the most spiritual by saying, “I follow only Christ.”  

REFLECT 

Are there divisions in your church assembly over who has been your best pastor? If so, you are experiencing what the Corinthian church was experiencing. That which is most important is the Word of God that was proclaimed; not who the messenger is or was. 

RESPOND  

With a friend read about the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21. Notice that “division” is one mentioned. This does not seem to be the full list because Paul added “and other sins like these.” Read also Proverbs 6:16-19 about seven things the Lord hates. Especially notice the last one.  

Day 2 

READ 

1 Corinthians 1:13-15 

¹³ Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! ¹⁴ I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, ¹⁵ for now no one can say they were baptized in my name. 

Notice that Paul used himself as an example in refuting what the Corinthian believers were saying. Paul let it be known he was not the one who was crucified for them. Also, baptism is an issue with many people and some are proud of the one who baptized them. Paul was glad he had rarely baptized anyone so people could not say they were baptized by him.  

REFLECT 

Do you know of people who take pride about the person who baptized them? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about what is most important—the person who baptized you or the significance of why you were baptized.  

Day 3 

READ 

1 Corinthians 1:16-17 

¹⁶ (Oh yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas, but I don’t remember baptizing anyone else.) ¹⁷ For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power. 

Having mentioned that he had baptized Crispus and Gaius, Paul then remembered he had baptized the household of Stephanas. He points out, however, that his main mission was not to baptize but to preach the gospel. He emphasized how he had preached—“not with clever speech.” Paul did not want anything to detract from the message of the cross of Christ. 

REFLECT 

Does this help you see that although baptism is important, it is not as important as the message of salvation itself? The thief on the cross was not baptized, but he believed in Jesus to save him. 

RESPOND 

With a friend read John 4:1-2. This passage reveals that Jesus left the baptizing to his disciples. His primary concern was helping people see how to become right with God. Once they expressed faith, they could show through baptism that they were identifying with Jesus and His followers. 

Day 4 

READ 

1 Corinthians 1:18-19 

¹⁸ The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. ¹⁹ As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” 

Paul expressed how the message of the cross was considered by others. It seemed as foolishness to unbelievers. To those who believed and were on the path to salvation, it was the power of God. Paul referred to the Old Testament Scriptures when he cited Isaiah 29:14.  

REFLECT 

As you read the Old Testament Scriptures do you see parallels with what is said in the Old Testament? Jesus referred to this connection often, such as in Matthew 24:15, 37-39. 

RESPOND 

Paul referred to those “who are being saved.” Salvation is sometimes looked at in three aspects: justification (believing in Jesus); sanctification (being set apart by His Word); and glorification (when the person goes to be with Jesus at death).  

Day 5 

READ 

1 Corinthians 1:20-21 

²⁰ So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. ²¹ Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 

Paul revealed that spiritual matters do not depend on one having a brilliant mind. People do not come to God by human wisdom; it is by believing the simple word that is preached about the cross. In so doing, God has made the wisdom of the world look foolish. One should not apologize for not being brilliant; the most important matter is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

REFLECT 

Rather than thinking about how intelligent you are, think rather about the salvation you have in Jesus by trusting Him as Savior. This is your greatest gift. 

RESPOND 

With a friend read the introduction in the book of Proverbs. Especially notice 1:1-7 that tells what the various proverbs will produce in a person. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs. Some have made a habit of reading the chapter in Proverbs that matches the day of the month.