Check here each week for information to prepare your heart for the upcoming sermon and follow-up questions you can use after the sermon to dig deeper and disciple your family!
The Supremacy of Love

The Supremacy of Love – 1 Corinthians 13:8-13
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- How does Paul contrast love with spiritual gifts?
- V10 says “but when the perfect come…” – what is Paul referring to?
- Having argued for the supremacy of love in chapter 13, how does Paul immediately exhort the Corinthians?
Other passages to consider: Num 12:6-8; Deut 6:4-9; 34:10; Isa 65:17; John 13:31-35; 15:1-17; 17:20-26; Rom 13:8-10 1 Cor 13:1-14:1; 1 Tim 1:5; 1 John 2:28-3:3; 4:7-21
Digging Deeper:
- Why is love superior to spiritual gifts?
- Why would spiritual gifts no longer be needed when Christ returns?
- How is love superior to even faith and hope?
- How can you grow in loving God and loving others?
Love Doesn’t Give Up: Loving in light of the power and promise of God

Love Doesn’t Give Up: Loving in light of the power and promise of God -1 Corinthians 13:7
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- What does it look like to love according to v7?
- How could v7 be misunderstood or misapplied?
- How can I possibly love like this?
Other passages to consider: Ps 103; Rom 5:1-8; 8:22-39; 1 Cor 13:1-7; Phil 1:9-11; 2 Tim 2:8-10; 1 Pet 1:3-9; 1 John 4:7-12
Digging Deeper:
- How does God’s providence help you patiently love those around you?
- As a believer in Christ, what is your inheritance? How does this living hope empower you to take risks in loving others?
- Who in your life are you tempted to give up loving? What can you do to help you persevere in love?
- How does this kind of love in v7 bring glory to God?
Love Doesn’t Do That

Love Doesn’t Do That – 1 Corinthians 13:4b-6
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- How have the Corinthians acted in the unloving ways described in vv4b-6?
- What do these unloving actions do to the health of a church and its ability to glorify God?
- How do these unloving actions manifest themselves in congregations today? How can a church put off these actions?
Other passages to consider: Mark 10:45; John 3:30; Rom 12:21; 1 Cor 1:26-31; 3:1-4; 4:6-7; 5:6-8; 6:6-8; 10:23-24; 11:21-22; 12:14-27; 2 Cor 5:19; Gal 2:20; 1 Tim 2:5-6
Digging Deeper:
- How would you summarize these negative actions?
- How could love help prevent you from sinning in these areas?
- Are you acting in any of these unloving ways? If so, what do you need to do?
- What would be the effect of a church that didn’t treat each other this way, but instead truly served one another in love?
Love Exercises Patience and Kindness

Love Exercises Patience and Kindness – 1 Corinthians 13:4
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- What is love? How does the world’s definition of love differ from the Bible’s?
- How does Paul portray love in vv4-7? What do you observe about his description?
- Has/is God patient and kind with you? In what ways?
Other passages to consider: Ex 34:5-8; Ps 103; Matt 18:21-35; Luke 10:25-27; Rom 2:4; 8:31-39; Eph 4:31-5:2; Titus 3:3-7; 1 Pet 2:20-25; 2 Pet 3:8-10
Digging Deeper:
- How do we see Jesus model patience and kindness?
- What opportunities have you had today to exercise patience and kindness?
- How are we able to show patience and kindness? What can I do to help me grow in this area?
- Think of people around you who exercise patience and kindness. How does their behavior bring glory to God?
An Essential Element of our Church

An Essential Element of our Church – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- What are the essential elements of a church?
- How does Chapter 13 relate to Chapters 12 and 14?
- What examples have we seen so far of the Corinthians being unloving toward each other?
Other passages to consider: Matt 22:34-40; John 13:31-35; 15:1-17; Rom 5:1-8; 8:31-39; 1 Cor 13; Gal 2:20; Eph 3:14-21; 4:11-17; 4:30-5:2; Col 3:12-14; 2 Thess 1:3; 1 Tim 1:5; 1 Jn 4:7-21
Digging Deeper:
- Can service be given without love?
- Which is more important: giftedness or love? Why?
- What are signs of a lack of love in a church?
- Where does love come from? How can I grow in love?
Godly Ambition

Godly Ambition – 1 Corinthians 12:27-31
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- What truths does Paul review in these verses?
- Why do you think Paul numbers the gifts first, second, third, etc in v28?
- What answer is Paul expecting in vv29-30? Why is he asking these questions?
Other passages to consider: Isa 49:16-17; Micah 4:2; Matt 25:14-30; Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 3:5-17; 4:6-13; 12-14; 2 Cor 12:12; Eph 2:19-22; 4:1-16; 1 Thess 5:19; Heb 2:3b-4; 1 Pet 4:7-11
Digging Deeper:
- What are the higher gifts Paul exhorts them to desire?
- If God decides our spiritual gifts, why does Paul tell us to desire higher gifts?
- What things in life do people strive for? What would God have us pursue?
- What should be your focus in using your spiritual gift(s)?
Every Member of Christ’s Body is Needed
Every Member of Christ’s Body is Needed –
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- What wrong views of fellow believers was happening at Corinth?
- What are some small, unnoticeable parts of your body that are very important?
- How is the church hindered when its members aren’t present or participating?
Other passages to consider: Isa 32:15; 44:3; Ezek 39:29; Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:17; 1 Cor 10:17; Gal 3:27-28; Eph 2:13-22; 4:1-16
Digging Deeper:
- How are you affected when one of your body parts is injured or missing?
- What might be your function in the Body of Christ?
- How do the truths of this passage relate to committing to church membership?
- How can we exercise care for one another in the Body of Christ?
The Marvelous Diversity of Oneness
The Marvelous Diversity of Oneness –
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Preparing my heart for the sermon:
- Why does Paul reference the Trinity in vv4-6?
- What is significant about Paul calling spiritual gifts – gifts of grace?
- What is the purpose of spiritual gifts?
Other passages to consider: Joel 2:28-29; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12-14; Eph 4:1-16; 1 Pet 4:7-11
Digging Deeper:
- How is God glorified through gifting his people in such a diverse way?
- How does a diversity of gifts help strengthen the Body of Christ?
- What is a spiritual gift? Who gets them?
- How should I discover and use my spiritual gift?
What is a spiritual person?
Sermon – What is a spiritual person? –
1 Corinthians 12:1-3
Preparing my heart for the sermon:
- What is true spirituality? How does the world miss the mark on this?
- In what ways is Christianity confused about true spirituality?
- How is the ministry of the Holy Spirit related to Christ?
Other passages to consider: Deut 11:13-21; Ps 115:1-11; Isa 41:22-42:9; Matt 7:21-27; John 15:26-16:15; Acts 2:36-41; 9:1-5; Rom 1:1-4; 1 Cor 8:4-6; 12:1-14:40; Eph 2:1-5; Titus 3:1-7; 1 John 4
Digging Deeper:
- Why does the Bible say that no one can confess that Jesus is Lord without the Holy Spirit?
- Apart from Christ, we were all ignorant about spiritual things. In what ways was your ignorance manifested?
- How do vv1-3 prepare us for a discussion about spiritual gifts?
- What does it look like to follow Jesus as Lord? Can Jesus be your Savior without being your Lord?
Communion Calamity

Communion Calamity - 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- How was the Corinthian church sinning in their celebration of the Lord’s Table?
- What does Paul mean in v20 that the Corinthians are not eating the Lord’s Table?
- Why did Christ institute the Lord’s Table?
Other passages to consider – Ex 12:1-28; 24:7-8; Ps 133; Isa 53; Jer 31:31-34; Mark 10:32-45; Luke 22:7-30; 1 Cor 10:14-22; Phil 2:1-11; Rev 19:6-10
Digging Deeper:
- Why is the Lord’s Table meant to be a corporate celebration?
- How did the Corinthians’ behavior strike at the very heart of the intended purpose for the Lord’s Supper?
- We are told to examine ourselves before we take the Lord’s Supper. What should we be looking for?
- What steps can we take to ensure that God is glorified and the Body strengthened through our celebration of the Lord’s Table?
Embrace God's Design for Gender Distinctions & Roles
Embrace God's Design for Gender Distinctions & Roles
1 Corinthians 11:2-16
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- What does the Trinity teach us about roles?
- How does Creation point to God's design for authority in the church and home?
- What happens when churches and homes do not follow God's design for gender roles?
Other passages to consider - Gen 1:26-27; 2:18-23; Gen 3:16; Ps 8; Rom 1:24-27; 1 Cor 15:28,49; 2 Cor 3:18; Eph 1:22-23; 4:15-16; 5:23; Col 1:18; 2:19; 1 Tim 2:11-14
Digging Deeper:
- How does Creation point to men and women's interdependence?
- In what ways might a church fail to maintain gender distinctions & roles?
- How does embracing God's design for gender bring glory to his name?
- What unique gifts and strengths do women bring to a church and home?
Seeking the Good of Others to the Glory of God
Sermon – Seeking the Good of Others to the Glory of God - 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1
Preparing my heart for the sermon:
- Why does Paul quote Psalm 24:1 as support for eating meat?
- How do Paul’s instructions on when not to eat meat illustrate seeking the good of others?
- How did Jesus seek the good of others to the glory of God?
Other passages to consider – Ps 24:1-2; Isa 53:3-12; Mark 10:45; Rom 14:13-15:7; 1 Cor 6:12-13; 8:1-13; 9:19-23; 13:4-5; 2 Cor 8:9; Gal 5:13-14; Phil 2:3-11; 1 Tim 4:1-5
Digging Deeper:
- In what ways can I regularly seek the good of others and not my own?
- How is God glorified by me seeking the good of others?
- How can I find the ability to daily die to self and serve others?
- Who are some Christ-like examples around me that I could pattern my life after?
Singular Devotion
Sermon - Singular Devotion - 1 Corinthians 10:14-22
Preparing my heart for the sermon:
- How is Paul’s command to flee from idolatry different that what the Corinthians were currently doing?
- What is God jealous for? Why is this right and good?
- What happens when we take the Lord’s Supper?
Other passages to consider – Ex 20:1-6; Deut 32:15-24; Joshua 24:12-24; Ps 86:8-13; Matt 22:34-40; 1 Cor 8-10; Eph 6:10-20; 2 Cor 4:3-6; 6:14-7:1; James 4:1-10; 1 Jn 2: 15-17
Digging Deeper:
- Am I worshipping Christ alone or have I tried to blend in other beliefs and practices?
- What in my life is hindering my devotion to Christ? What changes do I need to make?
- How should the reality of demonic activity affect how I live?
- The Corinthians learned that eating idol food was serious and dangerous. Am I participating in anything that is evil or unwise?
Control Your Desires or Face Spiritual Ruin
Sermon – Control Your Desires or Face Spiritual Ruin – 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Preparing my heart for the sermon:
- What do Christians have in common with the Israelites who were brought out of Egypt?
- What was the fate of the Israelites who came out of Egypt? Why did that happen?
- How does Israel serve as an example to the Corinthians and to us?
Other passages to consider – Ex 13:17-14:31; 16:1-17:7; 32:1-6; Num 14:1-35; 16:41-50; 20:2-13; 21:4-9; Ps 78:1-43; 106; Heb 3:7-4:13; 1 Pet 1:10-12
Digging Deeper:
- How does God use examples in our lives?
- What was the root issue with the Israelites? How are the Corinthians showing they are in the same danger?
- In what areas do I need to exercise more self-control? How can I grow in self-control?
- How does v13 encourage us as we seek to be self-controlled?
Run to Win
Sermon – Run to Win - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Preparing my heart for the sermon:
- Why did Paul use the picture of a runner and boxer with the Corinthians?
- What can we learn from athletes to help us in our Christian life?
- What contributed to the failure of the Israelites that Paul discusses in the next chapter?
Other passages to consider – Gen 39:1-12; Dan 1:8-20; 1 Cor 10:1-13; Phil 3:8-21; 1 Tim 4:7-9; 6:6-12; 2 Tim 4:6-8; Heb 12:1-16
Digging Deeper:
- Are you living with a singular focus in life? What is it? What should it be? How could you be more intentional in how you live?
- What areas of self-denial and self-restraint will help you the most in your Christian life?
- How can you glorify God in your body? How could discipline would help you do that?
- How do our actions and pattern of life relate to our salvation?
Laying Aside My Rights for the Good of Others
Sermon – Laying Aside My Rights for the Good of Others - 1 Corinthians 9:1-23
Preparing my heart for the sermon:
- What right is Paul explaining that he has?
- Why did Paul not exercise this right?
- Why does Paul discuss this here? How does this relate to the context in the letter?
Other passages to consider – Matt 20:20-28; Luke 10:1-12; John 13:1-15; Eph 4:1-3; Phil 2:1-11; 2 Cor 4:1-15; 1 Tim 5:17-20; 1 Pet 5:5-7.
Digging Deeper:
- Why do we often feel like we must demand our rights? What will help us be willing to let go of them?
- How did Jesus model laying aside rights for the good of others?
- What does it look like to become all things to all people (v22) for the sake of the gospel?
- What “rights” could I currently set aside to help bring the gospel to others?
Loving my Brother More than my Rights
Sermon – Loving my Brother More than my Rights – 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Preparing my heart for the sermon:
- What is more important: theological knowledge or love? Why?
- Some believers in Corinth were exercising their right to eat food that had been offered to idols. What was the result?
- What value did Paul place on his brother in Christ? How do we know from this text?
Other passages to consider – Deut 6:4-5; Matt 18:1-6; Acts 15:19-29; Rom 14:13-23; 1 Cor 13; Gal 5:13-15; Phil 2:1-11.
Digging Deeper:
- How can I grow in knowledge without becoming filled with pride?
- What responsibilities do I have to my brother for his spiritual growth?
- How does getting to know my brother (including his background), help me to love him better?
- What are some rights that I may be free to do as a Christian, but should be willing to give up if they cause my brother to sin?
Singleness Commended, but not Commanded

Sermon – 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 – Singleness Commended, but not Commanded
Preparing my heart for the sermon:
- What reasons does Paul give in this passage for a believer remaining single?
- How does a spouse and children help in glorifying the Lord? How could they be a hindrance to serving Christ?
- Does marriage and family make it harder or easier to endure calamities and persecution? Explain.
Other passages to consider – Ps 145:13; Matt 6:19-33; 22:30; 24:36-51; Jn 16:33; Philippians 3:12-4:1; 1 Jn 2:15-17
Digging Deeper:
- What are the right reasons to get married? What should a believer look for in a spouse?
- What temporary things of this world often distract me from investing in Christ’s eternal kingdom?
- Do I have the right balance between family time and serving the Lord? How could we serve as a family?
- Where might God be calling me to serve during this season of my life? Am I willing?
Serve Christ Where God Has Placed You

Sermon – 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 – Serve Christ Where God Has Placed You
Preparing my heart for the sermon:
- Why does Paul bring up circumcision and slavery in a chapter on marriage? How does the point of this passage relate to what Paul has been saying about marriage and singleness?
- Think about how radical a statement v19 was for Paul, a Jew and former Pharisee, to make. (see also Gal 5:6)
- How should God’s sovereignty, wisdom, and goodness impact my attitude about my current situation?
Other passages to consider – Acts 17:24-26; Rom 8:28-29; 1 Cor 6:19-20; 9:17-23; 12:1-20; 2 Cor 4:5-6; Gal 3:27-29; Titus 2:11-1; 1 Pet 2:9-10;
Digging Deeper:
- How can I serve Christ right now where God has placed me?
- What particular experiences or qualities has God given me that could be used to bring Him glory?
- Why does God make up the church with diverse people?
- How do I know when I should seek to change my situation?
Trusting/Obeying/Serving God Whether Single or Married

Sermon – 1 Corinthians 7:8-16 – Trusting/Obeying/Serving God Whether Single or Married
Preparing my heart for the sermon:
- What is marriage? Why did God design marriage to be life-long?
- How would a change in marital status affect your service to the Lord?
- Why might an unbeliever leave his/her Christian spouse?
Other passages to consider – Gen 2:18-25; Ps 37; Prov 3:5-6; Matt 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12; Eph 5:22-33; 1 Pet 3:1-12
Digging Deeper:
- What are the right reasons to get married? What are the wrong ones?
- Describe the impact Christians can have on the rest of the family.
- If I am single and long to be married, what should I focus on right now?
- How can I trust God and be a blessing in my marriage?
Thinking Biblically about Pastors and Teachers
Sermon – 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 – Thinking Biblically about Pastors & Teachers
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- What is servant-leadership? Give some biblical examples.
- What are some wrong views or expectations of pastors?
- How can we guard against being people-pleasers?
Other passages to consider – Ps 17:3; 26:2; 44:21; 139:23; Jn 5:44; 1 Cor 3:5-15; 2 Cor 1:14; 2:17-3:4; 5:1-10; Phil 2:16; 1 Th 2:19-20; James 3:1
Digging Deeper:
- How should we view pastors & teachers?
- How does this text help us define a “successful ministry”?
- Why should we fear God and not man?
- What does this passage teach about the Judgment Seat of Christ?
God's Church, God's Glory

Sermon – God’s Church, God’s Glory – 1 Corinthians 3:5-17
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- What is the Church? What makes up the Church?
- What metaphors does Paul use in this text to describe the Church?
- Why does God point out that the Holy Spirit dwells in them corporately?
Other passages to consider – 1 Chron 29; Matt 16:13-20; 1 Cor 1:10-18; Eph 4:1-16; Col 3:5-17; 1 Tim 3:14-15; 1 Pet 2:4-12
Digging Deeper:
- Why should we not put Christian leaders on “a pedestal”?
- What standard will God use in judging how His Church was built?
- What does this passage have to do with divisions in the church?
- How does this text impact your view of Gospel ministry & the church?
Time to Grow Up

Sermon – Time to Grow Up – 1 Corinthians 3:1-4
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- Why do we not feed babies steak? Why is it inappropriate for adults to live on baby formula?
- Does Christian growth happen automatically over the passage of time? Why or why not?
- What does Christian growth look like? What things get mistaken for growth?
Other passages to consider – Ps 51; Rom 8:1-9; Gal 5:16-26; Eph 4:11-16; Col 1:28; 2:6-7; Titus 2:11-13; 3:3-9; Heb 5:11-6:1a; Jam 1:19-22; 1 Pet 1:23-2:3
Digging Deeper:
- Am I growing in spiritual maturity? How can I tell?
- What is the Holy Spirit’s role in our Christian growth? What is our role?
- What in my life is hindering my Christian growth?
- How is God glorified when His people grow?
The Wisdom of God

Sermon – The Wisdom of God – 1 Corinthians 2:6-16
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- What has Paul been teaching the wisdom of God is?
- How is God’s wisdom secret?
- Who are the spiritual in this passage?
Other passages to consider – Dan 2:19-23; John 3:1-8; 15:18-27; Rom 8:1-9; 11:33-36; 16:25-27; 1 Cor 1:18-25; 2 Cor 4:3-6; Eph 1:8-10; Phil 3:17-21; 1 John 2:15-17
Digging Deeper:
- How does the gospel display the wisdom of God?
- In what ways are we blessed to live on this side of the cross? (in the New Covenant)
- Why must we have the Spirit of God if we are to understand the gospel?
- How does this passage impact your proclamation of the gospel?
Amazed and Humbled by God's Grace

Sermon – Amazed and Humbled by God’s Grace - 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- What qualities does the world value? How might these run counter to the Gospel and what God deems important?
- What does unconditional election mean? How does this truth humble us and highlight God’s grace?
- In what other things/people am I tempted to boast rather than the Lord?
Other passages to consider: Deut 7:6-11; 10:12-22; 1 Sam 2:1-11; Jer 9:23-24; Matt 11:25-30; Eph 1:3-10; 4:1-7; James 3:13-4:10; 1 Pet 2:9-12
Digging Deeper:
- Why does God often save and work through the “nobodies” of this world?
- How did you come to be saved? Who should get all the credit for that?
- What does v30 teach you about your salvation?
- How can we boast in the Lord this coming week?
Christ: The Power & Wisdom of God

Sermon – Christ: The Power & Wisdom of God – 1 Corinthians 1:17-25
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- Why is pride incongruent with the Gospel?
- How does the method of preaching bring glory to God?
- What two camps does this passage divide all of humanity into?
Other passages to consider: Isa 29:13-21; 2 Cor 4:1-7; James 3:13-17; 1 John 2:15-17.
Digging Deeper:
- How did the Corinthians exaltation of human leaders contradict the Gospel?
- Why is the Gospel foolish to unbelievers?
- How has God through the Gospel made foolish the wisdom of the world?
- What values of the world might I be adopting that are contrary to the Gospel?
United Around Christ

Sermon – United Around Christ – 1 Corinthians 1:10-17a
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- Where does the believers’ unity come from?
- What are common sources of division within the church?
- What should unity look like in the church?
Other passages to consider: Ps 133; Matt 5:21-24; 7:1-5; 18:15; John 17; Rom 13:8-15:7; 1 Cor 12:12-13:13; Eph 4:1-6; Philippians 2:1-11.
Digging Deeper:
- Why is unity important in the church? What is this unity centered on?
- What within Christendom can divert our focus away from Christ?
- How does the Gospel help us maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace?
- Are there any people within the Body of Christ that I need to be reconciled to?
Remember God's Blessing to Us in Christ

Sermon – Remember God’s Blessings to Us in Christ – 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Preparing your heart for the sermon:
- Compare 1:1-9 with the introductions to Paul’s other letters. What is similar and different about this one to the Corinthians?
- Three times in this passage, Paul speaks about “called by God”. What is significant about this verb?
- What do you learn about the church from this text?
Other passages to consider: John 10:1-10; Acts 9:1-19; 18:1-17; Rom 8:29-30; Eph 1:1-14; 3:10, 21; 5:25-27; Phil 1:6
Digging Deeper:
- How does remembering God’s blessings help us not sin?
- To whom does the church belong? Why does the church exist?
- What does this passage teach us about what the Christian life entails?
- How do God’s blessings come to us? Explain.