Small Group Notes - 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
October 10, 2021

Gut Level Gospel

The Gospel Voice in the Midst of Confusion

Accountability: Let’s hold ourselves accountable!

Last time Pastor JP challenged us from Joshua 22 about building a life that reflects the reality that Jesus is Lord. Phineas’s zeal for the Lord was unmatched. His devotion to the Lord was strong, and impacted every area of his life. We were challenged to make our lives living altars unto God. How did we do this week in being a living witness for Christ, in applying scripture, in our daily experiences, and in community?

Refresh: Let’s take a fresh look at our focal scripture again!

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Exploration: Questions to guide our group discussion.

  1. As Paul began to conclude his letter to the Corinthians, he preached the gospel to them again as though it were the first time that they had heard it. The Corinthians had become too focused on churchy things, and too little focussed on the gospel. They needed a gut level gospel reset! How do you see this principle at work today? What are some of the things in the “church world” that have been emphasized in place of Jesus and our need for the gospel? Do you see areas where Christians need to get back to the gospel?

  2. One principle that Paul mentioned as an area of concern regarding the Corinthians was the issue of Vanity Christianity. Paul hoped that they were holding to the gospel firmly, but he feared that some of them may have little more than window dressing…an outward facade of Christianity that lacked any real relational depth with Jesus. How can a person be sure that they have more than a mere outward profession? How can we be sure that the faith that we profess is also a faith that we possess?

  3. Paul spoke of the gospel in terms of three realities…the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He used the phrase twice in verses 3 & 4 “according to the scriptures.” What did Paul mean that the death and resurrection of Jesus were according to the scripture, and why was this significant to Paul?

  4. How does knowing Jesus as our savior and Lord, and comprehending the gospel, take away the fear that surrounds dying? In a culture that is trying so hard to simply stay alive, how does Jesus speak to the believer’s heart? What things are more important to a true Believer than simply staying alive? How does the gospel impact our view of the uncertainties and risks of life, and the certainty of our eventual physical deaths?

Study: Additional scriptures for deeper Bible study.

Matthew 13:24-30
Matthew 7:21-23
Romans 6:5-11
1 John 1:6-10
1 John 2:3-6

Application: How can I apply this to my life this week?

  1. The gospel is repentance from sin, and faith in Christ to save…evidenced by obedient followership of Jesus. Is there evidence in my life of a genuine conversion or merely window dressing?

  2. Are there things in my Christian life and experience that have sidelined the centrality of Jesus and His glorious gospel in my life? Do I need a gospel reset so as to reframe my Christian experience around the cross?

  3. Is there an area of fear or anxiety that I need to give over to God? Do I need a “to live is Christ and to die is gain” renewal in my thinking?