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STT: First Corinthians

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First Corinthians is an extremely relevant book for believers trying to live in culture that is contrary and hostile to faith. A careful reading of the two epistles leads many scholars to believe that we have two out of four letters. The letter is intensely personal and Paul's pastoral heart shows through each line.
 
Here are few ideas on how to approach a study of First Corinthians.
 
The book is roughly divided into three sections:
 
  • Paul encourages unity within the church. (1:10)
  • Paul admonishes the church to deal with sin. (5:1)
  • Paul answers a series of doctrinal and practical questions. (7:1) 
 
Perhaps the easiest way to study the book is to watch for each of these topics and keep track of what Paul says about each one. The key transition words to note are "now concerning" (Your translation may use "now regarding" or some similar expression.) Occasionally, Paul uses "I do not want you to be ignorant" (or unaware).
 
Second, the book is filled with quick encouragements and instructions that are worth listing. 
 
Third, some questions to consider:
What are believers' responsibilities to God and to each other?
Do Paul's answers/statements challenge your ideas?
 
 
What is your favorite verse or passage in First Corinthians?
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STT: Divisions

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One way to help make sense of your Bible study is to see the big picture, including the natural divisions. These help us understand, process and remember what we study.
 
 The Bible itself is split into two major sections- the Old and New Testaments and several subdivisions within those: Law, History, Poetry, Prophecy, then Gospels, Letters and Prophecy.
 
Individual books have divisions-
  • Genesis – Chapters 1-11 details 4 events, then the rest of the book focuses on 4 people
  • Exodus can be divided by where the Israelites are – in Egypt, journeying to Sinai, then camping at Sinai
  • The gospel of John is split between Jesus' ministry and teaching in the first 11 chapters and then the Crucifixion week in chapters 12-21
  • In 1 Corinthians, Paul begins each new section with the catchphrase "now concerning", then he addresses some topic or question that had been raised.
 
Your study Bible probably divides the chapters up for you, but take the time to notice them. Do you agree with the division placements and the sections headings? 
 
What are your studying now? How is it divided?

 

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STT: Therefore

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Back in the days before GPS, we depended on little signs to help us out, like that white H on a blue background. When you see that, you know it's directing you to a hospital. Scripture has its own signpost words and for the next few weeks, we'll take a look at a few of them and how they can help you in your Bible study.
 
Therefore – Marks a conclusion or a reason. 
 
For example, in Matthew 28:18-19, Jesus says "All authority had been given to Me in heaven and earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…"
Jesus has the authority to send us out to make disciples. Our recognition of that authority determines how responsive we are. In my house, if the four-year-old tells the older kids to pick up the toys, she gets a different response than if Dad tells them. (Usually.) Their action is based on their submission to the authority of the one giving the commands.
 
 
Paul tends to lay out long, logically constructed arguments in his letters, building to summary or conclusion and he uses "therefore" to indicate that. In 1 Corinthians 15:58, he says "Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." Granted, it's not fair to throw out the conclusion sentence and not give you the build-up, but that would mean copying a lot of Scripture. You can read 1 Corinthians yourself and decide just how far back Paul goes to make his point. I'm going to go with the nearest, most obvious- the immediately preceding verses. He explains that death cannot touch us, because Jesus Christ gives us the ultimate victory. His point is, if death is the worst anybody can do to you, don't let that keep you from the work of the Lord. You already have death beaten.
 
 
As you study this week watch for 'therefore' and take note of the conclusion or reason to which it's drawing your attention. I'd love to hear what you discover.

 

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STT: Just the Facts

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Sherlock Holmes wannabeAs you study, you run into them- genealogy lists, temple building instructions, missionary journey travel logs. What can you possibly take away from them if you're not into details? Here are some new perspectives on some of these more tedious (boring) sections of Scripture.

Genealogy and Census records- God uses ordinary people to accomplish His purposes. He knows each one, their history and their background, just as He knows ours, and in grace, He not only includes us in His work, but He records that for all eternity. Your name may not be written in Scripture, but it's recorded in God's ledgers. (1 Corinthians 1:26 …not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called.)

Lists of offerings- In Numbers 7, for example, there is a huge list of the offerings each tribe brought as the tabernacle system was instituted. It's repetitive, and I often wondered why we couldn't have a much shorter chapter- "Each of the leaders brought …" But what's boring for us, God never tires of. He delights in EVERY offering, EVERY act of worship. It never gets old. If He accepts our worship with such intense delight, shouldn't that change how we offer it?

Temple-building instructions- You find these in Exodus for the tabernacle, in 1 Kings for the first temple and in the last chapters of Ezekiel for the millenial temple. Then there's wall-building in Nehemiah. I admit, those last chapters of Ezekiel are tough to wade through. Why does God do that to us? Just to kill our read-thru the Bible plans? No. Part of it goes back to the point I made about offering and God's delight in our worship. However, it also shows God's care and attention to detail. He has a right way that He wants things done. When we undertake something for God, it must be done His way and not ours. However, more significant than this, the temple and tabernacle represented God's physical presence with His people. When we see the cumbersome requirements that must be met before we can approach a holy God, we get a much greater appreciation for the what Christ's redemptive work did for us.

Missionary logs- If you're not into first century Mediterranean geography, wouldn't it be just as easy to say "Paul made a lot of stops." Yes, but we'd miss some insights, such as God has a plan. The places Paul went were not the only cities around, but they were ones God wanted Paul to go to. There are plenty on ministries around doing good work, but we can't work at all of them. God has a place for us, a route He wants us to take. Those other cities, other ministries- He's got somebody lined up for them.

Now when you read Scripture and hit some details that are … well, boring, take a minute before your eyes glaze over, and ask God why He wanted all that stuff in His word. What can you take away from it? You'll find out GOD is in the details.

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STT: Now, Then and When

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Trail MarkerStudy Tip Tuesday is back! Often little words carry great weight, and today's tip looks at some important small words that can be a big help during our study time.

One key to understanding a passage of Scripture is getting a handle on the sequence of events presented. Some signposts to watch for are "now", "then" and "when".

For instance, I flipped open to Matthew chapter 2. Here's a sample of sequence markers (the "trail" markers):
V.1 "Now after"
V.3 "when Herod"
V.4 "when he had gathered"
V.7 "Then Herod"
V.9 "when they heard the king"
V.10 "when they saw the star"
V.11 "when they had come into the house"
"When they opened their treasures"
V.12 "then being divinely warned"

While these sequences are especially important studying the narrative sections of Scripture like the Gospels or some of the Old Testament books, they also figure in other books as well.

1 Corinthians 15:54 "So WHEN this corruptible has put on incorruption and this mortal has put on immortality, THEN shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

1 John 3:2 "Beloved NOW we are the children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that WHEN He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."

Other times they introduce a condition or a contingency:

Jeremiah 29:13 "And you will seek Me and find Me WHEN you search for me with all your heart."

Ezekiel 36:23 "…[A]nd the nations shall know that I am the Lord, WHEN I am hallowed in you before their eyes."

2 Chronicles 7:14 "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.

Watch for these trail markers as you read, and take a moment to consider what truth they are highlighting.

Do you have other examples?

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