1 Corinthians

Discipleship Lessons from a Troubled Church

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
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What was the most troubled church plant in Paul's
ministry? It could very well be the Church at Corinth,
planted in the midst of a city known for its immorality and
pagan temples. If you were to make a list of the church's
problems, it wouldn't be short.
The wonderful thing is, that from Paul's response to the
problems of this troubled church you and I learn a great
deal! 1 Corinthians is indeed one of the foundational letters
in the New Testament. We neglect it at our peril.

Eduard Burne-Jones, detail of Apostle

Paul (1881-1898), mosaic, the Apse of
St Paul's within the Walls (American
Episcopal Church), Rome. Larger image.

I encourage you to sign up for this 15-week study that will begin on this coming Friday.
Here's the tentative outline of our study together:
Preface
Reprint Policy
References and Abbreviations
Introduction to 1 Corinthians
I. Healing a Divided Church (1 Corinthians 1-4)
1. Healing Church Divisions (1:1-17a)
2. Human vs. Spiritual Wisdom (1:17b-2:16)
3. Building a Healthy Church on Christ's Foundation (3:1-23)
4. The Struggles and Joys of Christian Leaders (4:1-21)
II. A Christian View of Sex and Marriage (5:1-7:40)
5. Confronting Immorality in a Cleansed Church (5:1-13)
6. An Exhortation against Sexual Sin (6:1-18)
7. Marriage and Divorce at the End of the Age (7:1-40)

III. Idolatry and Christian Freedom (8:1-10:33)

8. The Case for Spiritual Purity (chapters 8 and 10)
9. Understanding a Leader's Passion (9:1-27)
IV. Public Worship and Its Worthy Conduct (11-14)
10. Worship and Communion in the Early Church (11:1-34)
11. Diverse and Unifying Gifts in the Church (12:1-31)
12. Love -- A More Excellent Way (13:1-13)
Excursus on the Meaning of "That Which Is Perfect" (13:10)
13. Prophecy and Ministry by the Holy Spirit (14:1-39)
V. The Resurrection and Conclusion (15-16)
14. Resurrection and the Coming of Christ (15:1-58)
15. Giving and Personal Matters (16:1-24)
Appendix 1. Participant Handout Guides
Appendix 2. The Author's Personal Experience
Appendix 3. Tentative Chronology of Paul and the Corinthians (50-56 AD)

This is our 40th online

Bible study since 1996. If
you've participated in one
before, you know how God
can use them in your life.
If not, then you have a
treat in store for you. This
is an cross-denominational
study designed to help you
grow as a disciple of
Christ. -- Dr. Ralph F.
Wilson. About the leader.

Here's how we'll study together.

Each Saturday I'll e-mail you the lesson for the week. Then you'll read the
Bible passage and use my notes to help you understand it better.

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teaching that sums up the passage you've been studying that week.
Some who learn better from hearing than from reading really
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1 Corinthians Bible Study: Discipleship Lessons from a Troubled Church