I Corinthians 3
The Function of the Christian
Ministry
An Immature View of the Ministry
• Read Verses 1-4
• How do these verses enlarge on 1:11,12?
• In what respect were the Corinthians
“infants?”
• When do Christians show that they are
spiritually childish?
• How does a Christian move forward from
infancy to maturity?
Ministers are Fellow Workers with
God
• Read I Corinthians 3:5-9
• What was the difference in the ministry of Paul
•
•
•
and Apollos?
What made their ministry the same?
“labor” = toil, hard work, nothing to do with
results – What determines how you pay your
called workers? What has nothing to do with it?
Why should differences between ministers not
cause factions or strife?
True ministers are builders of God’s
temple (part 1)
• I Corinthians 3:10-20
• What is the serious responsibility of all ministers
•
•
•
•
of Jesus Christ?
What distinction between ministers may develop
as they build on the foundation of Jesus Christ?
How will the quality of their building be
determined?
What makes false teaching a serious sin?
What’s the connection between false wisdom
and unfaithfulness in temple-building?
Ephesians 2:19-22 – why are we built on
the foundation of the crucified Christ?
• 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners
and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people
and members of God’s household, 20 built on
the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the chief
cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is
joined together and rises to become a holy
temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are
being built together to become a dwelling in
which God lives by his Spirit.
1 Peter 2:5,6 – Why are we built on the
foundation of the crucified Christ?
• 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into
a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,
offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”
True ministers are builders of God’s
temple (part 2)
• How does this section refute the notion of
•
•
•
universalism: that all people will be saved?
Give examples of “shoddy” building materials
(wood, hay, straw)
What may prompt pastors to use shoddy
building materials in their ministry?
Why must congregations take action against
pastors who destroy God’s temple?
Ministers are not to be served, but
to serve (part 1)
• I Corinthians 3:21-23
• How does Paul correct the factions in the
•
•
•
congregation?
What had the Corinthians failed to take into
consideration as they attached themselves to
selected spiritual leaders?
In what respect are ministers of the gospel
“yours?”
How are “the world, life, death, the future”
yours as a child of God?
Ministers are not to be served, but
to serve (part 2)
• How will your belonging to Christ keep
you from abusing your “ownership” of
your minister?
• What are the blessings of accepting all
ministers of the gospel as your servants?