Rod Beenleigh

In your particular congregation, which parts of verses 39- 40 are most needed in order to bring your congregation into Biblical balance? Our congregation is very staid, even raising an arm is deemed to be charismatic, prophecy and speaking in tongues are not pursued.

How are Paul's instructions to those who speak tongues in verses 27-28 similar to his instructions to those who prophecy in verses 29-32? How do they differ? Two or at the most three, to speak during a gathering. One at a time Someone must interpret. If no interpreter to be quiet is similar to Two or three prophets to speak in turn If a revelation comes to one sitting down the other stops speaking. Others present should weigh carefully what is spoken. All in turn so all are instructed and encouraged Order in the service to be maintained in either case. How might we hold meetings today that allow for the Spirit to inspire spontaneous contributions to the gathered people? I do not belong to a church that have that type of meeting. It would be an experience to be sort after.

Paul does value speaking in tongues. What does its value seem to be according to verses 2, 4, 17, and perhaps Romans 8:26 - 27.? Verse 2, Anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Personal prayer, praise and uplifting. verse 4, He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself. On a one to one communication. Verse 17. He may be giving thanks. His offering of thanks is only from self. Romans 8:26-27, The Spirit, because of our weakness, intercedes for us,( but are we aware of what the Spirit has spoken on our behalf?) Still on a one to one basis. How are the Corinthians abusing speaking in tongues? They were engaged in an ego trip trying to outshine all in the gathering for their own gratification.

What is the value of prophecy over tongues, according to verse 4? "Everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort" The church body is enriched and unified. What does prophecy typically do to benefit the church, according to verse 3? Prophecy edifies the church because only the Word of God can make the body strong.

Why is it important to Paul's argument to contend that even the greatest spiritual gifts will become obsolete? To show to the Corinthians that their current evaluation of gifts would be negated when " the perfect comes"; to grasp the fact that love is supreme to all spiritual gifts because love outlasts them all. Why does he stress the permanence of love? For God is love and God is eternal

When do you think the "prefect" comes? When Jesus Christ returns or if we precede His arrival when we are in heaven. How do you support your interpretation? 1 Corinthians 13:12b "then I shall know fully"

Which one or two of these tests of agape love do you have most trouble with? Envy in as much as I would like to be gregarious, to be able to more comfortable in crowds. How might prayer help you grow? In passing on to God my feelings of lack, to ask more often for His help in all situations. How will walking with the Spirit help you deal with these flaws? To be ready always to call on the Spirit for help in trying times.

What is the result of the greatest imaginable manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit done without love? Without love counts as nothing. Is it possible to operate a gift of the Spirit from a selfish or wrong motivation. No, because as a person tries to operate outside of the Spirit the gift becomes nothing more than human endeavour. Which makes us more spiritual - - Gifts of the Spirit or Fruit of the Spirit? Fruit of the Spirit which is the more common characteristic of a believer where as the Gift of the Spirit is given to an individual for a specific reason to suit His purposes.

How are you hurt by the people who don't use their spiritual gifts for one reason or another? Just as our body reacts to a malfunction of our bodily system with pain, even acute pain at times, so it is with misuse of a gift or a gift not developed or a gift deemed as "unnecessary at this time" How much richer would your congregation be if you --- and everybody else --- were to use their spiritual gifts? The congregation would be spiritually stronger. What might happen in peoples lives? They would grow spiritually, they would feel oneness in the body, they would blossom as a Christian. What might be the community impact of your congregation? Instead of being a fractured, weak and aimless group it would be dynamic, outreaching, vibrant and beneficial to the whole community. How do the leaders of our Church educate our congregation on how to achieve this?

What are the several lessons that we learn from verse 11? What is the role of the Holy Spirit in spiritual gifts? That the Holy Spirit empowers,shares out gifts, at least one gift to all, and those gifts are given to further God's will. The development of that gift is governed by the level of submission to the Holy Spiirit

Has God used you in one of the these nine spiritual gifts--or someone you know? How has this gift built up and strengthen your congregation or community? Personally I cannot specifically recall any but a close friend has great faith in prayer, in persistent prayer and intercession. This gift has encouraged others and to strengthen our congregation.

Is it legitimate to use Jesus as our example in the use of spiritual gifts? Or was He so different than we are that we can't pattern our ministry after his example? Yes we are encouraged in scripture to become like Christ, although in our fallen state we will not attain His level of power with spiritual gifts. As believers we have the Holy Spirit within us to enable us to give growth to the gifts that have been granted to us.

What is the purpose of spiritual gifts? Is for the common good, to build up the body of the Church What happens when people don't employ spiritual gifts for their intended purpose? They take away the benefits of the gifts which would otherwise be of use to the body. They also restrict spiritual growth to the individual. What happens when a whole church full of people start using their diverse spiritual gifts? The church would show how Christianity should be, a fully functional body. The pulsating energy would be like sound waves through -out the community, so strong, that it turn all heads and hearts towards Christ.

What kind of self examination at the Lord's Table is appropriate? To question ourselves honestly to reveal any sin that has not been confessed, to ask forgiveness and repent. How do confession and repentance fit with self examination? It makes us aware of our sins and the necessity of repentance. How do confession and repentance serve to bring spiritual health and character change? By confessing and with the act of repentance we are made right with God, out relationship is restored. We are now free to grow .

In what way is the Lord's Supper a proclamation? To whom is the proclamation made? It is a public announcement to all in the congregation, to both believers and unbelievers that by celebrating the Lord's Supper we are acknowledging the Lord's death, resurrection, the forgiveness of sins,The new covenant and Christ's return. Why is this important? To be a remembrance, a time of recall, a time to examine our relationship and walk with God/Jesus/Holy Spirit. What happens to the church when its proclamation shifts to a different central theme? The church loses its focus on Christ, the very foundation stone on which it is built. It leads to disunity and to factious spirits.

What does the phrase mean; "This cup is the new covenant in My blood"? What is the old covenant? The old covenant required continual sacrifices and shedding of blood for the temporary forgiveness of sins where the new covenant is the shedding of blood once for all time. What are the provisions of the new covenant? Jesus Christ acts as our mediator, forgiveness of sins, Holy Spirit indwells us,eternal life in heaven/ new Earth.

Why is it so important that we continually remember Christ's broken body and shed blood? In what sense do you believe that the bread is His body? That the wine is His blood? Jesus is using broken bread as a symbol of His broken body on Calvary. Just as bread gives nourishment and life to those that eat it, so Jesus's actions give spiritual life to those who partake of it. The loaf of bread also signifies unity. In O.T. Hebrew blood refers to the life given by God."Shed blood" makes us recall the sacrificial aspect of Christ's death, the cost to God and Jesus so that we who are sinners would become reconciled. It is also an opportunity for us to look back to Jesus's sacrifice, to the new covenant and looking forward to Christ's return and all its ramifications. This time of communion should be an active participation.

What point is Paul trying to make by using athletic analogies? Just as the athlete is totally focused on winning by using dedication, discipline, training and exercise to fulfill his ultimate goal , so to the Christian should be likewise. What place does self discipline have in our effectiveness as Christian workers? It develops strength of character, trust in God, being a genuine Christian. Requires us to deny any activity or thought that distracts from our goal. What place does self-discipline have in keeping us from falling into gross sin? When exercising and using all our energies to that of following Christ we restrict any unsavoury thought or action, thus avoiding falling into gross sin. How might lack of self-discipline disqualify us for all God has for us? We could lose our spirituality, our closeness to God and Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Why did Paul "become all things to all men"? What was his purpose? To win as many as possible whether Jew or Gentile , weak in faith, new believer or those spirit led to listen. Was he able to be authentic in doing so? What is the difference between Paul's chameleon ministry and mere role playing? I believe he was that by reaching out in various ways, in various circumstances, allowed a common grounds of communication to develop, thus being able to introduce the gospel. There was no pretence, play acting or guile in Paul. He was authentic!! What are you willing to give up so that you can reach the people God has called you to minister to? Oh, that I would have the confidence to give fully of my life instead of just a small measure, such as time.

Why doesn't Paul have a personal choice about preaching? Paul was appointed a servant with instructions to preach, Paul was compelled to preach. verse 16 Will volunteer and bi-vocational Christian workers receive a greater reward in heaven than those who are paid here on Earth? If so why? If not, why not? Those who have given of their time and resources without remuneration will receive a greater reward. Would not the worker be paid twice if this were not so?

Why did Jesus command His disciples to receive support on their journeys? To learn to trust in God for all provisions, to concentrate their efforts in spreading the Word and to be humble in accepting the generosity of their hosts. What scriptural obligation do Christian congregations have to do their best to support their pastor-- and if possible , other workers? 1 Cor. 9:14" the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel". The congregation should do their utmost to support the pastor and other financial obligations. What accountability will church board members experience when they pay their pastor less than they should? They will be judged accordingly

Why does Paul argue for the right of apostles and other Christian workers to be supported, if he has decided not to exercise this right himself? Why would it hinder missionary work for a missionary to expect his new converts to support him? Apostles and other Christian workers, according to Paul, had the right or authority to claim support for their labours just as the plowmen and threshers did. Paul chose not to obstruct the mission by requesting from the Corinthians as he was more interested in winning people to Christ. The new converts might construe that Paul was just making money out of them.

The beings behind idols are not real gods, according to 1 Corinthians 8:4. What kind of beings does this passage say they are? Demonic spirits. What then is the spiritual danger to us of participating in idol worship ( or the occult, for that matter )? " You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons" verse 21 The danger is that we would become spiritually weak succumbing to the wiles of satan and his forces.

In what way did the priests participate in the altar by eating of the Old Testament sacrifices? The priests and Levites brought the sacrifice, placing one part on the altar to be consumed and devoured. What was left was eaten amongst themselves and so had communion with each other in eating, they shared of the altar. By so doing they professed and declared their worship of the God of Israel. How does Paul connect this observation with our participation with Christ's sacrifice? When we share together the elements at the table we too profess and declare our oneness with Christ.

What does koinonia mean? The word koinonia speaks of a partnership, close union, and brotherly bond. In secular Greek it means a common enterprise, partnership or association. What does it mean to “participate” or “share” in the blood of Christ? Or in the body of Christ? To feed and nourish our fellowship with Christ