1 Corinthians 1:4-9
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Based on Acts 18:1–17, how did the Corinthian believers come to faith and form the Corinthian church? How does Paul summarize what God had done for them in 1 Corinthians 1:4-5?
What is Paul thankful for in 1 Corinthians 1:4-9? Whether it’s the Philippian church that brings him joy or the Corinthian church that’s full of trouble, Paul is grateful for the grace of God in their lives. What do we learn from that?
In verses 4–5, Paul says the Corinthians had been “enriched in every way” in Christ. Considering all the struggles this church faced, why is it surprising that Paul begins by emphasizing what they had received rather than what they lacked? What does this teach us about how God sees His people?
In 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, Paul outlines several definitions of what it means to be a Christian. What themes or characteristics do you notice in the text? Are there any themes that you struggle to remember, believe, or apply to in daily life?
What promise does Paul give these struggling believers in verses 8–9? Given that this church is anything but blameless, why is Paul’s promise such good news for Christians who feel weak, inconsistent, or discouraged in their walk with Christ? According to verse 9, what confidence do we have that these promises are true and that God will finish what He has started in us?
The writer of Hebrews urges us to “look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Heb. 12:1–2, ESV). What hope does that word perfecter give weary believers in the often slow and frustrating process of sanctification? How does remembering that God finishes what He starts change the way we fight sin and pursue growth (Phil 1:6)?
If the Christian life begins by grace, is sustained by grace, and will ultimately be completed by grace, in what ways are you still tempted to live as though your standing before God depends primarily on your own performance rather than Christ’s finished work?
What’s your takeaway and application from studying these verses this week?
