The Cross in Corinth

Begin with Communion.

As your group gathers together, begin by sharing communion as a meal. Feel free to use the following template as a way to structure and guide this time:

1. Pass out the elements. Make sure everyone has a cup of juice and bread. Consider just having one piece of bread that everyone can take a small piece from. If you don’t have bread and juice, that’s okay. Just make sure everyone has something to eat.
2. Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. Once everyone has the elements, have someone read this passage out loud.
3. Pray over the bread and juice. After the reading, have the Leader or Host bless the food and pray over your time together.
4. Share a meal. Share the rest of the meal like you normally would beginning with the communion elements.
5. Practice Dayenu. As you eat together, invite everyone to share their gratitudes. Dayenu (Hebrew meaning “it would have been enough”) was a way for people to intentionally express thanks for all the things God has blessed them with.

Now, have someone read this overview of Sunday’s teaching as a recap: 

As bold, committed, and seemingly successful as the apostle Paul was, he wasn’t immune to discouragement. After his time in Athens, Paul goes to Corinth where he continues preaching the gospel to a city with mixed responses. However, after years of both fruitfulness and rejection, Paul has grown weary. God meets him in a dream to offer encouragement and a promise that he’s still doing what he’s called to do. Many of us can find ourselves in a similar place of discouragement. We can face the same vices, hit the same roadblocks, and struggle with the same sins our entire lives. But just like Paul, we too must remember that in order to experience God’s resurrection power, we must endure God’s cruciform pain. We endure the afflictions of the cross by setting our affections on Christ.

1. What stood out to you from the teaching on Sunday?

Have someone read Acts 18:9-11, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, and Philippians 3:12-14. Then discuss these questions: 

1. What stands out to you the most from these passages?
2. Why do you think Paul highlights his weaknesses and insecurities in 1 Cor. 2:3-4?
3. How does embracing the cross challenge your modern-day ideas of strength and success in life?
4. In what ways have you faced or experienced disappointment in your discipleship journey? What have you been tempted to quit or give up on in your life?
5. Like he did with Paul, God often gives us just enough guidance and encouragement to endure our present How have you experienced God encourage you at pivotal moments in your life? What form has that encouragement taken?
6. What are some current obstacles you’re facing that might hinder you from “finishing the race” God has called you to?
7. What might be an area of your life where God is calling you to “stay” and persevere?

Practice for the week ahead:

This week, mark out some time to re-read Philippians 3:12-21. As you do, ask God what he might be inviting you to persevere in. What obstacles are hindering your discipleship? What would it look like to offer these up to God in order to “reach forward” in the journey he’s called you to?

Pray

As you end your night, spend some time praying for and encouraging one another.