INTRODUCTION
This inductive Bible study is designed to walk you through a particular passage and help you study it thoroughly. It is divided into five parts or “steps” which will guide you from a larger, broader perspective down to a more narrow, tightened understanding of the text. This guide also contains additional components, such as Going Deeper and Further Study, to help you as you work through the text.
1. DISCOVERING THE PASSAGE
2. IDENTIFYING THE STRUCTURE
3. FOCUSING ON KEY WORDS
4. CONNECTING TO THE WHOLE
5. APPLYING THE TEXT
Beginning with the day after your growth group meets, we encourage you to get alone with God and follow the instructions provided in this guide. Each step has specific guidelines followed by questions. We trust if you faithfully use this study to meet with the LORD each day not only will your personal walk with the LORD grow deeper but your growth group experience will be enhanced as well.
Paul, in the first part of chapter 10, warns the Corinthians of the danger of apostasy. Apostasy
is, “the act of rebelling against, forsaking, abandoning, or falling away from what one has
believed.” Paul uses the story of the Israelites in the Old Testament as both an example and
warning to the Corinthian believers to not follow the same pattern. Please see the back of the
study guide for a chart detailing the Old Testament references in 1 Corinthians 10:1-22.
The heart of this section (1-22) is found in Paul’s admonition in verse 12, “Therefore, let anyone
who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” Paul is again addressing the arrogant Corinthians
who have been “puffed up” by “knowledge.” Paul commands them to “flee idolatry”
(v.14), which will ultimately lead to judgment. Only dependence upon God’s faithfulness will
enable believers to withstand temptation to sin.
1. DISCOVERING THE PASSAGE
Discovering the Passage seeks to get an overall idea of the meaning of the passage. Think bigpicture. Pray for God to open your eyes to the meaning of Scripture.
Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-22 slowly and thoughtfully. What is the primary issue(s) Paul is addressing in this passage?
How does Paul use the Israelites in the Old Testament as an example for the Corinthians?
What characteristic of God is highlighted in v. 13? Considering the overall point of verses 1-22, why is this significant?
2. IDENTIFYING THE STRUCTURE
Identifying the Structure seeks to gain insight into why the author wrote the way he did. Try to think like the author. Pray for God to give you insight into the writing of the Scriptures.
Questions
The ESV divides verses 1-22 into three paragraphs. What is the main point/theme of each paragraph?
Count the number of commands in verses 6-14. What is the underlying reason for the necessity of obeying these commands?
Pause & Pray
Pray that the Lord would reveal to you areas of your life that you are placing idols on God’s throne. Plead with God for forgiveness and ask him to give you a genuine love for his presence and contentment in his person.
Do you desire evil? (Pray Psalm 139:23-24 for your own life.)
3. Focusing on Key Words
Focusing on Key Words seeks to identify and contemplate the use and meaning of specific words or concepts within the text. Pray for God to open your eyes to words and concepts you’ve never seen before or have overlooked.
Going Deeper: The Example of Israel
In 1 Corinthians 10:6-10, Paul recounts 4 specific sins of the Israelites and states twice that these things took place as examples for us (v. 6 and v. 12). The sins mentioned are idolatry (v. 7), sexual immorality (v. 8), putting Christ to the test (v. 9), and grumbling (v. 10). It was because of these sins, committed by the people of Israel, that God was not pleased with them in the wilderness & brought severe judgment upon them.
How is this an example for Christians today? The example of Israel is given to serve as a warning to the Church, “that we might not desire evil as they did” (v. 6). Evil desires lead to sin which in turn lead to God’s judgment. James expresses this progression when he writes, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (James 1:14-15). But the Scriptures also provide the comforting truth that God, who is faithful, always provides a way of escape from temptation (1 Cor 10:13). Evil desires do not have to be acted upon, and can be put to death by the power of the Spirit (Col 3:5). Paul therefore exhorts all Christians to “flee from idolatry” (10:14) and to carefully learn from Israel’s example.
Now prayerfully answer the questions below
Questions
What does Paul mean by “the cloud” and “the sea” in verses 1-2? How do they draw the reader’s mind back to God’s faithfulness in the Exodus (see Exodus 13:21 and 14:21)?
What is the relationship between our perseverance and God’s faithfulness in 1 Cor 10:1-22? Between how we respond to warnings and our assurance?
What is the meaning of verse 13? What is Paul saying about temptation? God’s faithfulness? Our ability?
What does it mean that the Lord is “jealous” in verse 22? Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Why?
Pause & Pray
Is your life is marked more by contentment or grumbling? Pray that God would give you a grateful spirit in light of Jesus’ sacrifice of the cross.
Pray Matthew 26:41 over your own life.
4. CONNECTING TO THE WHOLE: A
Connecting to the Whole seeks to become aware of how key concepts and themes are seen elsewhere in Scripture. This is allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. Pray for God to help you see how this passage connects to the rest of the Bible.
Questions
First Paragraph (1 Corinthians 10:1-5))
God’s presence, provision & protection of Israel in the wilderness very clearly parallels Christ has provided for us. Compare the following Old Testament scriptures with that of the New Testament. What do you learn?
Exodus 16:4, 15, 35; & Deuteronomy 8:3 with John 6:31-34, 48-58
Exodus 17:6; & Psalm 78:15, 16 with John 7:37-39
Read Hebrews 3:7-4:13. What is the connection between earthly rest and heavenly rest?
Second Paragraph (1 Corinthians 10:6-13)
Psalms 78 & 106 give a commentary of the Lord’s dealings with Israel. Reflect on Psalm 78:17-39 & 106:6-48. How did the Lord deal with them in their rebellion?
The disciples of Christ had the same tendency to think that they would remain faithful and not fall into sin. What exhortation did Christ & the writers of the New Testament letters give to them as well as to us? Matthew 26:41; Romans 11:20; & 2 Peter 3:17, 18.
4. CONNECTING TO THE WHOLE: B
Connecting to the Whole seeks to become aware of how key concepts and themes are seen elsewhere in Scripture. This is allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. Pray for God to help you see how this passage connects to the rest of the Bible.
Third Paragraph (1 Corinthians 10:14-22)
Throughout biblical history the worship of idols always was always intricately related to the worship of demons. See Deuteronomy 32:15-18; Psalm 106:34-39; & Revelation 9:20-21. Record your insights.
Paul exhorts believers to not partake of the Lord’s table as well as of the offerings to Idols. Reflect on 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1. What are we instructed not to do? Why not? What are we instructed to do? Why?
What words in verses 16-17 and 21 help us understand that Paul is referring to the Lord’s Supper? (For an explanation of the Lord’s Supper, see 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 and Matthew 26:26-29)
Pause & Pray
The writer John in the last sentence of his first letter to the churches wrote: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” What are the idols that we are tempted to worship in this modern age? Describe how we are to keep ourselves from them?
Pray for strength to flee idolatry.
5. APPLYING THE TEXT
Applying the Text seeks to see people changed as the Word of God is brought to bear in the lives of individuals and communities (growth groups). Pray for God to reveal to you where you need to change and have the courage to take action.
Questions
How should we apply verses 1-5? When we consider those in our life who seem very “religious” or those who are heavily involved in church, how do these verses guide our thinking?
Do you typically neglect reading the Old Testament? Why do you avoid it? How can yourGrowth Group help you in reading, understanding, and applying the Old Testament?
What does it practically look like for the Christian to “flee idolatry” (v. 14)?
Of the commands in this passage, which do you struggle with the most? Which is the hardest to flee from? (i.e. Don’t indulge in sexual immorality; don’t put Christ to the test; don’t grumble or complain; flee from idolatry.)
Prayer
Use the following prayer prompts to guide you in your prayers as a Growth Group:
For Your Growth Group
Pray for one another as we seek to be obedient in every area of our lives. Help lead your group to be transparent with each other by confessing an area in your life where you struggle with obedience.
For Parkwood
Thank God that as we flee from idolatry, we have the support of the church to help us live faithful lives. Pray that we, as members of Parkwood, would continually be united in love and truth, remembering that we all are part of the body of Christ. Thank God for the sacrifice of His son that covered the price of our sin, including idolatry.
For Your Neighbors
Thank God for the promise in His Word that we are eternally secure. Pray that we would not abuse our freedom. Ask that He would help us to always be aware of the lost around us, especially our neighbors. Pray that He would use us to bring the gospel to them.
For The Nations
According to this passage, all other religions are led by demons (v20). Pray for the mission teams you know of as they daily encounter spiritual forces of darkness. Pray that they have the wisdom to clearly articulate the gospel the the local language.