1 Corinthians Week 3

Day 1 

READ 

1 Corinthians 1:22-23 

²² It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. ²³ So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. 

Paul revealed what the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ appeared like to various groups. The Jewish people who were always looking for a sign; Paul said the gospel to them was like something they stumbled over and they were offended. The Greeks who sought human wisdom; the gospel to them seemed as nonsense.  

REFLECT 

Have you had some sneer at the gospel message? Do they think it is too simple that one could have forgiveness of sin and eternal life by believing in Jesus? If so, they don’t believe what the Word of God teaches, and that is the only book God has inspired. 

RESPOND 

With a friend read passages that clearly point out how one becomes right with God. See John 3:16-18; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:8-9. Talk about how to use these verses when witnessing to others. 

Day 2 

READ 

1 Corinthians 1:24-25 

²⁴ But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. 

The gospel seems as foolishness to some. But for those of all nationalities who are called by God, they realize the gospel is “the power of God and the wisdom of God.” The result is that what to human reasoning seems to be foolishness is wiser than the wisest of human plans. Jewish thinking was one of contrasts. Paul explained that “God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.” 

REFLECT 

Do you realize that salvation in Jesus by believing in His death on the cross for you is far greater than any human reasoning could devise? 

RESPOND 

Join with a friend in seeing verses that show contrast in Jewish thinking. Luke 14:26 has confused many about hating parents. One’s love for parents should seem like hate in contrast to how much one loves God. Romans 9:13 is a contrast of Jacob and Esau. Both were given promises of God, but Jacob’s were so much greater it seemed as if Esau’s were hate by comparison.  

Day 3 

READ 

1 Corinthians 1:26-27 

²⁶ Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. ²⁷ Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 

Paul told of how the world’s values, no matter how high, could not compare to what God has done. One’s wealth does not make the person any closer to God than one’s poverty. Some have much education in the world with degrees after their names. Before God that does not make them wiser than the uneducated who have faith in God.  

REFLECT 

Have you felt intimidated before some who are highly educated? You need not. If you have trusted in Jesus as Savior you have more spiritual wisdom than the educated who are unsaved. 

RESPOND 

Consider with a friend the statement in Proverbs 1:7. It shows what true wisdom is. Consider also James 1:5. Talk about how important it is to know the wisdom of God. 

Day 4 

READ 

1 Corinthians 1:28-29 

²⁸ God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. ²⁹ As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. 

Paul continued to show those whom God uses. He sometimes chooses those the world considers the least likely to succeed to be spiritual giants and turn many to faith in Jesus. It seems to delight God to choose what the world considers important to show how unimportant it is. It also delights Him to choose a humble sinner who trusts in Him to be of greater use than one the world would vote for.  

REFLECT 

Does this help you to think more about what you have spiritually than what you have physically? 

RESPOND 

Believers in Jesus have nothing to boast about. All they can do is thank the Lord for choosing and using them for His glory.  

Day 5 

READ 

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 

³⁰ God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. ³¹ Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” 

What the believer has is because of what God has done for him or her. Paul cited the heart of Jeremiah 9:24 when he told all believers, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30 tells that God the Father made the Son to be “wisdom itself.” The Father and the Son have done so many things for the believer in Jesus.  

REFLECT 

Think on 1 Corinthians 1:30 and what it says the Father and the Son have done for believers. If you have trusted in Jesus, you are included in this group.  

RESPOND 

With a friend read 1 Peter 1:3-7 to see what Peter was telling those being persecuted and scattered because of their faith. Jesus is all the believer needs. Read the longer verse in Jeremiah 9:24 to see how Paul only gave the main point of it.