ELNORA'S BIBLE STUDY WITH FRIENDS, 1 Corinthians, Chapter 16 - September 20, 2024 (Charles' Birthday!!!)
Introduction to Chapter 16
First Corinthians 16 concludes Paul's long letter to the church
in Corinth with several business matters. He instructs them on how to prepare a
special contribution for needy Christians in Jerusalem. He describes his plan
to visit them in person after wrapping up his ministry in Ephesus and stopping
by churches in Macedonia. He reveals that Timothy is coming to them more
quickly and that Apollos is not. Finally, he commends a delegation from Corinth
that has come to see him. His final words in the letter are a declaration of love
for all of them.
(https://www.bibleref.com/1-Corinthians/16/1-Corinthians-chapter-16.html)
The Collection for Jerusalem, Verses 1-4, TEANNIE
16 Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. 2 On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once. 3 When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem. 4 And if it seems appropriate for me to go along, they can travel with me.
SECTION QUESTIONS:
1. What do the instructions Paul gave for the Corinthians to give weekly remind you of? (V.2)
2. Why do you think Paul did not plan to take the money to Jerusalem, himself? (V.3-4)
THOUGHT QUESTIONS:
1. We have seen throughout our study that the churches contributed to Paul's ministry and also to his personal well-being. Why do you think it's still hard for some to give to the church today?
Paul’s
Final Instructions, Part 1, Verses 5-14, KITTY
5 I am coming
to visit you after I have been to Macedonia,[a] for I
am planning to travel through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I
will stay awhile with you, possibly all winter, and then you can send me on my
way to my next destination. 7 This time I don’t want to
make just a short visit and then go right on. I want to come and stay awhile,
if the Lord will let me. 8 In the meantime, I will be
staying here at Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost. 9 There is a
wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me. 10 When
Timothy comes, don’t intimidate him. He is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am. 11 Don’t let
anyone treat him with contempt. Send him on his way with your blessing when he
returns to me. I expect him to come with the other believers.[b]12 Now about
our brother Apollos—I urged him to visit you with the other believers, but he
was not willing to go right now. He will see you later when he has the
opportunity.13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be
courageous.[c] Be
strong. 14 And do
everything with love.
SECTION QUESTIONS:
1. How did Paul tell the Corinthians to treat Timothy when he arrived? (V.10-11)
2. Paul fires off at least 5 quick commands in this section of scripture. Can you name one of them?
THOUGHT QUESTIONS:
1. I wonder why Apollos wasn't willing, at this time, to visit Corinth at Paul's urging?
Paul’s
Final Instructions, Part 2 & His Final Greetings, Verses 15-24, DESTINY
15 You know
that Stephanas and his household were the first of the harvest of believers in
Greece,[d] and
they are spending their lives in service to God’s people. I urge you, dear
brothers and sisters,[e] 16 to
submit to them and others like them who serve with such devotion. 17 I
am very glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come here. They have
been providing the help you weren’t here to give me. 18 They
have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you. You must
show your appreciation to all who serve so well. 19 The
churches here in the province of Asia[f] send
greetings in the Lord, as do Aquila and Priscilla[g] and
all the others who gather in their home for church meetings. 20 All
the brothers and sisters here send greetings to you. Greet each other with a
sacred kiss. 21 HERE
IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL. 22 If
anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed. Our Lord, come![h] 23 May the
grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love to all
of you in Christ Jesus.[i]
SECTION QUESTIONS:
1. What are Paul's final instructions?
THOUGHT QUESTIONS:
1. How do you think we treat other ministers coming to us from abroad to minister the Word of God and to fellowship with us?
2. What could we do differently to further express our appreciation as Paul encourages the church of Corinth to do?
Prayer Confession for 1Corinthians, Chapter 16
Heavenly Father, thank You for
Your goodness to us and for instructing us on how to live Godly lives to Your
praise and glory. May we stand firm in the faith and act in a way that does
not dishonor Your name. May we be alert to the evils that surround us
and our brothers and sisters in Christ and may we never compromise the truth of
the glorious gospel of grace but be strong in the Lord and the power of His
might. Help us to withstand the wiles of the devil and be alert to his
evil ways. And may all we say and do be done in love.
Loving Father, we confess
that in our own strength, we can't carry out all that we say and do
in love, but we know that it is possible in the strength and power of the
Spirit of love. You have promised to pour Your love through us to others, so
that we may love others as Christ loves us. Use us to be vessels of love
in the lives of all we meet today, knowing that it is Christ who loves through us
and not we, ourselves.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your
Word and this instructive letter to the Corinthian church. we pray that we may
know You more each day and grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ our
Lord. Give us the discernment we pray, so that we may not be tossed about
by false teachings, and we pray that the love of Christ may fill our hearts and
become a conduit, through which Christ's love spills out to all those we meet.
This we pray in Jesus' name, AMEN.
Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/1-Corinthians/16
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