I Corinthians 3I Corinthians 3

The Function of the Christian The Function of the Christian MinistryMinistry

An Immature View of the An Immature View of the MinistryMinistry

• Read Verses 1-4Read Verses 1-4• How do these verses enlarge on How do these verses enlarge on

1:11,12?1:11,12?• In what respect were the Corinthians In what respect were the Corinthians

“infants?”“infants?”• When do Christians show that they are When do Christians show that they are

spiritually childish?spiritually childish?• How does a Christian move forward How does a Christian move forward

from infancy to maturity?from infancy to maturity?

Ministers are Fellow Workers Ministers are Fellow Workers with Godwith God

• Read I Corinthians 3:5-9Read I Corinthians 3:5-9• What was the difference in the ministry of What was the difference in the ministry of

Paul and Apollos?Paul and Apollos?• What made their ministry the same?What made their ministry the same?• ““labor” = toil, hard work, nothing to do labor” = toil, hard work, nothing to do

with results – What determines how you with results – What determines how you pay your called workers? What has nothing pay your called workers? What has nothing to do with it?to do with it?

• Why should differences between ministers Why should differences between ministers not cause factions or strife?not cause factions or strife?

True ministers are builders of True ministers are builders of God’s temple (part 1)God’s temple (part 1)• I Corinthians 3:10-20I Corinthians 3:10-20• What is the serious responsibility of all What is the serious responsibility of all

ministers of Jesus Christ?ministers of Jesus Christ?• What distinction between ministers may What distinction between ministers may

develop as they build on the foundation of develop as they build on the foundation of Jesus Christ?Jesus Christ?

• How will the quality of their building be How will the quality of their building be determined?determined?

• What makes false teaching a serious sin?What makes false teaching a serious sin?• What’s the connection between false wisdom What’s the connection between false wisdom

and unfaithfulness in temple-building?and unfaithfulness in temple-building?

EEphesians 2:19-22 – why are we built phesians 2:19-22 – why are we built on the foundation of the crucified on the foundation of the crucified Christ?Christ?• 19 Consequently, you are no longer 19 Consequently, you are no longer

foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. lives by his Spirit.

1 Peter 2:5,6 – Why are we built on the 1 Peter 2:5,6 – Why are we built on the foundation of the crucified Christ?foundation of the crucified Christ?

• 5 you also, like living stones, are being 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: For in Scripture it says:

““See, I lay a stone in Zion, See, I lay a stone in Zion,

a chosen and precious cornerstone, a chosen and precious cornerstone,

and the one who trusts in him and the one who trusts in him

will never be put to shame.”will never be put to shame.”

True ministers are builders of True ministers are builders of God’s temple (part 2)God’s temple (part 2)

• How does this section refute the notion of How does this section refute the notion of universalism: that all people will be saved?universalism: that all people will be saved?

• Give examples of “shoddy” building Give examples of “shoddy” building materials (wood, hay, straw)materials (wood, hay, straw)

• What may prompt pastors to use shoddy What may prompt pastors to use shoddy building materials in their ministry?building materials in their ministry?

• Why must congregations take action Why must congregations take action against pastors who destroy God’s against pastors who destroy God’s temple?temple?

Ministers are not to be served, Ministers are not to be served, but to serve (part 1)but to serve (part 1)• I Corinthians 3:21-23I Corinthians 3:21-23• How does Paul correct the factions in the How does Paul correct the factions in the

congregation?congregation?• What had the Corinthians failed to take What had the Corinthians failed to take

into consideration as they attached into consideration as they attached themselves to selected spiritual leaders? themselves to selected spiritual leaders?

• In what respect are ministers of the gospel In what respect are ministers of the gospel “yours?”“yours?”

• How are “the world, life, death, the future” How are “the world, life, death, the future” yours as a child of God?yours as a child of God?

Ministers are not to be served, Ministers are not to be served, but to serve (part 2)but to serve (part 2)

• How will your belonging to Christ How will your belonging to Christ keep you from abusing your keep you from abusing your “ownership” of your minister?“ownership” of your minister?

• What are the blessings of accepting What are the blessings of accepting all ministers of the gospel as your all ministers of the gospel as your servants?servants?