WGHATC #2 - United and Distinct
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund
Part of What God Has Against the Church—January 8 - March 13, 2022
January 14, 2022

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United and Distinct

Date: January 15-16, 2021
Speaker: Dr. Kurt Bjorklund
Series: What God Had Against the Church
Message: #2 - United and Distinct

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Message Notes

Scripture

10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”

13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. —1 Corinthians 1:10-17 (NIV)

Notes

  1. Points to what is (v. 10-12)

  2. Points to what should be (v. 10-12)

  3. Points to how we move from what is to what can be (v. 13-17)

Study Guide

Open
Read 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 and pray for your time together.

Optional Icebreaker
Give your opinion. What is the best “blank”? (ex. movie, tv show, book)

Discuss

  1. Looking at verse 10, Paul appeals to his brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to be united.
    a. In what ways should the good news of the gospel unite us and why do you think Paul starts with this reminder?


    b. Paul says that believers should be perfectly united in mind and thought. Why is unity so important for the church?


    c. What role should scripture and sound doctrine have in unifying us?

  2. Looking at verses 11-12, the opposite of unity was taking place as Paul uses the word quarrel to describe the state of the church. What reasons does Paul give for why this is happening? How do these same reasons cause some of the same problems today?

  3. Paul asks three questions at the beginning of verse 13, What are they? What is the obvious answer to all of them? What point is Paul trying to make by asking such questions and how he responds to them in verses 14-16?

  4. Take a moment to personally reflect on verse 17. How does putting our hope in others or earthly wisdom eventually lead to disunity versus how can we begin to allow God’s wisdom to reunite us? Can you think of any examples of either situation?

  5. What are some characteristics of God’s nature or commands that we learn from scripture that could help us remain unified or begin to take steps toward unity of believers? What about with non-believers so that we too might preach the gospel to them by how we love one another?

  6. What is one thing you hope to take away from this week’s group conversation and apply to your life?

Close in Prayer