Aim:
·
Examining how Paul leads and challenges the Corinthians.
·
Examining the images of leadership—spectacle, fool, scum, father
·
Applying this passage to issues that require steering your group towards new models of leadership.
1
Corinthians 4
1) How does
Paul judge his own actions?
2) What part
does gratitude play in the part of Paul’s letter?
3) Why is Paul
being sarcastic? How is this expressed?
“9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles
on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to
human beings. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we
are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have
become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.14 I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.”
4)
Colour repeated words and underline reversals. Spot the images Paul uses of
leadership: attracting negative attention, fool, unwanted/ thrown away and
father. How does this square with your view of leadership?
5) Why does
Paul compare himself with a spectacle, fool, scum and father? What will he do
as a father?
6) “17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.” Paul sends a letter and person to remind them of what he consistently teaches. What tone does Paul use here?
7) What is the difference between following Paul (instead of Apollos) in Chapter 1 and imitating him in Chapter 4?
Application
What does your group
boast about? Are there things to be proud of in the light of Christ?
Is there a
checklist of attitudes we can draw up from this passage that would be useful
for us as a group?
How could we
encourage these attitudes as a group?
Explore the
idea of “imitate me” in every area of your group life-- as a leadership team,
campus group, flat or online community.
Explore the
idea of “imitate me” in the area of your own life—finances, friendships, flat,
studies, job etc
Leaders guide
*This is an overview of the issues Paul addressed in 1 Corinthians. What issues do you face in your campus group? How do they compare?
*For some ideas to deal with the problems
you may have with your group. See this Do these solutions offered stem from the same model of leadership found in 1 Cor 4?
*Pray for your campus, all Christian groups, clubs, academics and all who work there. Pray for students who live in hostels, flats and those who run them, yes even unreasonable landlords. Pray for students who juggle jobs and relationships, and those who employ them and support them. Pray for true friendships to form and freedom from despair or ennui or anomie. Pray for research and new ideas to be incubated in Waikato Uni... world changing stuff that would make things better.
Too big? Then pray Paul's prayer at the beginning of his letter for all believers on campus.
*Pray for your campus, all Christian groups, clubs, academics and all who work there. Pray for students who live in hostels, flats and those who run them, yes even unreasonable landlords. Pray for students who juggle jobs and relationships, and those who employ them and support them. Pray for true friendships to form and freedom from despair or ennui or anomie. Pray for research and new ideas to be incubated in Waikato Uni... world changing stuff that would make things better.
Too big? Then pray Paul's prayer at the beginning of his letter for all believers on campus.
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you all of his blessings, and great peace of heart and mind. I can never stop thanking God for all the wonderful gifts he has given you, now that you are Christ’s: 5 he has enriched your whole life. He has helped you speak out for him and has given you a full understanding of the truth; 6 what I told you Christ could do for you has happened! 7 Now you have every grace and blessing; every spiritual gift and power for doing his will are yours during this time of waiting for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.8 And he guarantees right up to the end that you will be counted free from all sin and guilt on that day when he returns. 9 God will surely do this for you, for he always does just what he says, and he is the one who invited you into this wonderful friendship with his Son, even Christ our Lord.
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