Intentionally Build-up the Church!

Intentionally Build-up the Church!

1 Corinthians 14:20-40

Intentionally conduct worship services that build-up the church.

Make sure you…

…Focus on God’s Word. (20-25)

…Build-up the church not yourselves. (26-28)

…Honor each other. (29-35)

…Submit to God’s Word. (36-38)

…Persist in being intentional. (39-40)

For the Next Lesson: 1 Corinthians 14:20-40

1. Read verses 20-25. As you consider the context of verse 20 within all of chapter 14, how were the Corinthian Christians being childish in their thinking and actions? In the context of these verses on tongues and prophesy, what would mature thinking look like to Paul? What does Paul teach in verses 21-22 about God’s purpose for the spiritual gift of tongues? Why is this important according to verses 23-25? What happens when the gift of tongues is misused in the church? What happens when prophesy is practiced in church services?

2. Read verses 26-33a. What guidance does Paul give to the Corinthians about how they should conduct their worship services? How should the gift of tongues be managed? How should the gift of prophesy be managed? What are the governing principles for how all gifts should be used (verses 26, 31, 33)? Do our worship services today reflect Paul’s instructions here? Should we be doing something different in how we conduct our worship services? How so?

3. Read verses 33b-35. What is your first reaction as you read these verses? As you consider verse 34 in context with verse 35, is Paul speaking of married women, single women or all women? What situation do you think might have caused Paul to write these instructions? What point is Paul trying to communicate here (see also Ephesians 5:22-24, 33)? Do these verses have any application to us today? Why or why not?

4. Read verses 36-40. What does verse 36 reveal about the Corinthian’s attitude (see also 4:18 and 5:2)? How would you state in your own words what Paul is reminding the Corinthians about in verses 37-38? Do you ever need this kind of reminder in your life? How so? What reminders do verses 39-40 give us as Paul concludes the section of the letter (chapters 11-14) that addresses issues in public worship services?

5. So what. What is one thing you can take away from this passage that applies directly to your life today?