Passages: 1 Corinthians 12-16
Big Idea: God gives his people gifts that are to be used in love to grow his church, anchored in the hope of the resurrection.
Ages: 8-11
Eight lessons exploring 1 Corinthians chapters 12 to 16.
For eighteen months, Paul had lived amongst the people of Corinth, preaching the gospel and establishing a church (Acts 18). Paul’s letters to this church are deeply personal. What he began with them in person, introducing them to Jesus, he continues with them in his letters, growing them into Jesus‘ likeness.
Sadly, the Corinthian church had not grown to be more like Jesus, their Lord and Saviour. After leaving Corinth, Paul heard reports of divisions that had arisen in the church. So Paul wrote letters to address these divisions and to encourage them to live as Jesus’ transformed people.
Corinth was a multicultural, wealthy city - a centre for trade and the exchange of ideas. People from all over the world came through this city bringing with them their idols and beliefs. It was known for its rampant idolatry and sexual immorality, for its clear divide between rich and poor, and its bias - valuing human knowledge over the wisdom of God.
In the final section of his letter, Paul rebukes them for their lack of love. God’s Spirit gives each Christian gifts. These gifts are to be used to serve and help each other to grow to be more like Jesus. If, however, they exercise their gifts but fail to love, it’s as if they’ve not exercised their gifts at all. It all comes to nothing.
At the beginning of his letter, Paul had reminded the Corinthians they serve one Lord and they gather in his name, to serve his body, the church. In chapters 12 and 14, Paul explores how to serve the body The Corinthian church seemed divided on every possible issue, including gifts. Gifts are given by the Spirit for the building up of the body of Christ, the church, not one’s ego. The body grows as each part does its work, as each member uses their gifts to serve each other.
Paul concludes his letter by reminding the Corinthians of the centrality of the cross - Christ died, was buried and rose again. Without a resurrected Lord, our faith would be in vain. Jesus' resurrection is our hope - one day we too will rise with Christ.
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