1 + 2 CORINTHIANS
READING PLAN + STUDY QUESTIONS
READING PLAN
DIVISION WITHIN IN THE CHURCH
SEXUAL + MORAL INTEGRITY
UNITY WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST
SESSION 4: 1 CORINTHIANS 13-16
THE THESIS OF THE FAITH
THE COMFORT + ENCOURAGEMENT OF CHRIST
WEAKNESS MADE STRONG IN CHRIST
HOW TO USE
READ THE CHAPTERS IN THE BIBLE FOR EACH SESSION
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS + REFLECT ON THE READING
This study encourages going at your own pace, allowing each session to be a day, a week, or however long you need. Each session contains questions to be used for individual reflection or small group discussion.
This study was made to be used alongside Bible reading. Although we have created chapter summaries, there is no substitute for reading God's Word.
SESSION ONE: 1 CORINTHIANS 1-4
DIVISION WITHIN IN THE CHURCH
Based on 1 Corinthians 1:10, what did Paul desire for the church in Corinth?
How did the Corinthians value personal preference more than unity in their beliefs? What does this division look like in the church today?
Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. How does this passage highlight God’s “upside down” value system?
In 1 Corinthians 2, how did Paul compare worldly wisdom with God’s wisdom?
What does 1 Corinthians 2:10-13 reveal about the power of the Holy Spirit?
Read 1 Corinthians 2:16. What does it mean to have the mind of Christ?
Based on 1 Corinthians 3:11, what is the foundation of the Christian faith?
Read 1 Corinthians 4:4-5. What makes God the ultimate righteous judge? In the end, what will God bring into the light?
According to 1 Corinthians 4, what challenges were Jesus’ apostles facing?
SESSION TWO: 1 CORINTHAINS 5-8
SEXUAL + MORAL INTEGRITY
How did Paul address the sexual sin in Corinth? How are greed and sexual sin similar?
In 1 Corinthians 5:6-7, Paul encouraged the church to remove the old leaven and become a new, unleavened “lump.” Practically, what was Paul instructing the people of Corinth to do?
How did Paul want believers to settle their disputes (1 Corinthians 6:1-8)? How can this be applied today?
Read 1 Corinthians 6:12. How did Paul differentiate between lawful and helpful?
In 1 Corinthians 6:18, what word did Paul use when telling the Corinthians not to sin sexually? How is this word more powerful than “avoid” or “ignore”?
How is sexual sin set apart from other sins? What does it mean to be a temple of the Holy Spirit? What does it mean to be bought with a price?
What advice did Paul give to married people? What advice did Paul give to single and widowed people?
In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul gave instructions for eating food related to idols. Although this exact situation does not occur today, how can faithful believers avoid causing confusion for non-believers or new believers?
SESSION THREE: 1 CORINTHIANS 9-12
UNITY WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST
How did Paul surrender his personal rights to advance his ministry?
How did Paul steward the responsibilities given to him? What can we learn from his humility and determination?
In 1 Corinthians 9:22, what did Paul mean when he said, “I have become all things to all people”?
How did Paul recall the Exodus account in 1 Corinthians 10:1-22? What did he want the people of Corinth to remember from this account (see Exodus 14-17)?
How does 1 Corinthians 10:31 make sense within the context of food laws? How does it apply today?
How could Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 11 regarding head coverings relate to the sexual immorality in Corinth?
In 1 Corinthians 11:17-22, Paul addressed issues related to communion. How did he connect the Lord's Supper to the idea of unity within the church?
How does the list of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 compare to Paul’s lists in Romans 12:6-8 and Ephesians 4:11? How do you see these gifts used today?
Based on Paul’s description of “one body with many members,” how does God value both unity and diversity within the church body?
SESSION FOUR: 1 CORINTHIANS 13-16
THE THESIS OF THE FAITH
According to 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, what did Paul value less than love?
Consider the words that Paul used to describe love. What are the opposites of these words? How can those opposites show you what love isn’t?
Why is love considered greater than faith and hope? In eternity, will faith and hope be necessary for believers?
How did Paul describe speaking in tongues? What were the believers instructed to do if there was no interpreter present?
What aspects of Paul’s message do you believe apply specifically to the intended audience of Corinth? Which aspects are universal to all believers?
How does 1 Corinthians 15:14-17 point to the entire Christian faith hinging on the resurrection of Jesus? How did Jesus reverse the wrongdoing of Adam?
How does 1 Corinthians 15 describe the resurrected bodies of believers?
Based on this letter, how would you describe Paul’s relationships with the believers in Corinth?
SESSION FIVE: 2 CORINTHIANS 1-5
THE COMFORT + ENCOURAGEMENT OF CHRIST
How does God’s comfort equip believers to comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)?What does it mean to share in Christ’s suffering and comfort?
Read 2 Corinthians 1:20. What does it mean that all promises find their Yes in Christ?
Why do you think “Yes” is capitalized? How can we know to which promises of God Paul is referring?
In 2 Corinthians 2:1-4, Paul was grieved by his visit with the Corinthians. What actions of the Corinthians do you think grieved Paul?
Why did Paul describe believers as the aroma of Christ? How is it pleasing to some and not to others (2 Corinthians 2:14-17)?
The people of Corinth asked Paul for his credentials as a messenger of the gospel. How did Paul respond in 2 Corinthians 3:1-4?
In 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, what is the significance of the veil (see Exodus 36 + Mark 15:37-38)?
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 references the “god of this world.” To whom is that referring?
How does 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 offer hope for both this life and eternity?
What does God provide as a guarantee of salvation (2 Corinthians 5:5)?
SESSION SIX: 2 CORINTHIANS 6-13
WEAKNESS MADE STRONG IN CHRIST
What are some common obstacles for people who are considering whether to follow Jesus? How can believers help remove these obstacles (2 Corinthians 6:3-4)?
In 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, what instruction did Paul give to believers? How does this apply to dating or marriage relationships?
According to 2 Corinthians 7:9, what is godly grief, and to what does it lead?
In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, what did Paul teach about generosity and giving? How is being a “cheerful giver” different than giving out of obligation?
What are some practices you can implement to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5)?
Based on 2 Corinthians 11, what qualities of Paul made him a reputable teacher?
How can you practice endurance in your faith, even when experiencing a “thorn in your side” (2 Corinthians 12:7)?
How did Paul conclude his letter to the Corinthians? Did he seem hopeful for their repentance and continued faithfulness?
Way to go! You finished 1 + 2 Corinthians.
Thank you for reading through the Bible with Everyday Scripture.
Keep going — the next New Testament Letter is Galatians!