"Arrested Deevelopment" / 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 / Jim Rosenquist

1 - In verse 1, what makes us think that the unspiritual, carnal, and immature recipients of Paul's letter are actually born again believers? What is a "carnal" Christian? In what sense is it actually impossible to be a carnal Christian? In what sense is it prolifically true?

2 – In verses 2-4, for Paul what is the difference between teaching that which is "milk," and "solid food?" What evidences does Paul suggest to support his presupposition that these readers are still carnal?

3 – In verses 5-9, What was Paul's calling and service? What was Apollo's calling and service? How are each uniquely gifted to their call? How do they use their unique skills and abilities to perform the very same service?

4 - How can we tell if we are developmentally arrested? What can we do about it? What should we do for others who might be? Why?

"The Great Mystery"/1 Corinthians 2:6-16 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – How is a "mystery" in scripture different from our contemporary usage or meaning?

2 – In verse 7, how is God's secret wisdom hidden from men? How and why is it imparted? When did God decree this secret wisdom to be made known?

3 – In verse 8, why can't contemporary men understand God's wisdom? What would they have done differently if they did understand?

4 – In verse 10, what has God revealed through his Spirit?

5 – In verse 11, How is it that the Spirit knows God's thoughts? How do we come to know God's thoughts?

6 – In verse 14, why is the unbeliever unable to accept God's wisdom?

What do we understand from this text about why and how an unbeliever comes to accept the things about God? How does this affect the way we witness? Evangelize? Pray?

"The Great Mystery"/ 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Jim Rosenquist

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"What Ever It Takes" / 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 1-2, why does Paul deliberately avoid employing carefully crafted speeches and intellectual appeal? What does he endorse in its place?

2 – In verse 3, why might have Paul felt, "fear and trembling?" see Acts 18:5-13

3 – In verses 4-5, instead of entertaining speeches with insightful observations, Paul says his words were a demonstration of the Spirit and of power. What did he mean?

Is he referring to signs and wonders? Spiritual gifts like tongues and prophecy? What evidence does he give of the power of the Spirit in his message?

4 – What are some examples in contemporary American Christianity of movements that are trying to win people to Christ by employing clever marketing appeal? What should we be watching for, and guarding against, in our church?

"What Ever It Takes" / 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Jim Rosenquist

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"Ordinary People" / 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verse 26, why does Paul tell the Corinthians that they are not wise, influential, or noble? Is he insulting them? Humbling them?

If God chooses the foolish, weak, lowly, despised and insignificant, how are the influential and arsitocratic saved? Is it different for these?

2 – In verses 27-28, why does Paul say God chooses foolish, lowly, despised, etc? What reason does he offer why God would do this?

Is God's greatest objective the salvation of as many as possible? What then is His ultimate purpose?

3 – In verse 30, what is, "the wisdom from God?" How does that wisdom affect us?

How does this wisdom give us righteousness, sanctification and redemption?

4 – In verse 31, What does it mean to, "boast in the Lord?" How does this displace feeling proud of our abilities or position in life?"

How can lowly, ordinary people bring glory to a great and magnificent God?

"Ordinary People" / 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Jim Rosenquist

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"The Message of the Cross" / 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verse 17, Paul says he was sent to preach the gospel not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross be emptied of its power. In verse 18, he says, the message of the cross is the power of God. What is the connection? What is, "the message of the cross?" Why is it foolish to lost people?

2 – In verses 19-21, What are unsaved people looking for in the world? What impresses them? Why would the gospel not appeal to them?

3 – In verses 22-25, some people want hard evidence, and some want convincing arguments. What do they find in the proclamation of a crucified savior?

Why is it logically inconsistent that an immortal god die?

Why sacrifice himself for rebellious followers?

Why might it seem shameful that an immortal being dies a convicted criminal?

Why do Christians embrace the message of the cross?

4 – Why is it a constant danger in the church to change the message or to embellish it to fit the culture we live in? How do we prevent that from happening?

"The Message of the Cross" / 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 *** audio begins 1:45 ***

Jim Rosenquist

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"Division" / 1 Corinthians 1:2-17 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 4-9, Paul is writing to the church in Corinth because there are serious issues and shameful divisions in the church; yet he begins by giving thanks. Why? About what?

How does Paul affirm that the recipients are actually saved?

In verse 7, What does Paul mean, that "they are not lacking any spiritual gift?"

How does Paul affirm (verses 8-9) that God has called them and that God will sustain their salvation?

2 – In verses 10-17, after Paul established his Apostolic authority (1:1) he now appeals to them as brothers. Why? What does he exhort them to do?

How can Christians have strongly different views and still, "sing the same song" of unity? How can we be united, not divided, yet have different opinion, preferences, interpretations, and expressions of our faith?

How can Christians express common brotherhood in Christ and yet not give up church and denominational distinctions?

What is often sacrificed for external unity? In what ways is that good or bad?

"Division" / 1 Corinthians 1:2-17

Jim Rosenquist

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"The Frozen Chosen" / 1 Cor 1:1-3 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verse 1, what does Paul mean that he was, "called by the will of God?" What is an apostle?

Are there apostles today? If so, how are they like or unlike Paul's apostleship? Who is Sosthenes? (see Acts 18:17)

2 – In verse 2, What does it mean to be, "sanctified?" How does one become so?

What does it mean that we are "called?" Is everyone called?

In what way may sinful people be considered saints? How does one become a saint?

What is meant by, "all those in every place?" Is this the universal church? Are we a part of that?

In what ways are church and denominational distinctives a good thing? When do they become undesirable?

3 – In verse 3, Paul closes this introduction invoking, "grace and peace." What does that mean? Is this just mannerly or is something deeper implied?

Where does this grace and peace come from? What does it do? How do we obtain it?

"The Frozen Chosen" / 1 Cor 1:1-3

Jim Rosenquist

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"The Harder They Fall" / 2 Samuel 21:15-22 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In this passage, David and his men face 4 more giants. Where did the giants come from? Why are they so dangerous? Why are they opposing David?

2 – In verse 15, David grows weary. Why? Did Jesus ever grow weary? Do we? How will we have success in the battle, while weary in the body?

3 – In verse 19, who killed Goliath? (see 1 Sam 17:50; 1 Chron 20:5)

4 – David didn't kill these 4 giants, but he was the first who did. What does this tell us about spiritual leadership? About brotherly support? About struggling against a common enemy together?

5 – What giants do you face now? What is the risk in fighting them? How are you able to defeat them? Are you going to?

6 – How are we strengthen through battle?

7 – How does this passage help illustrate and anticipate the similarities between David and Jesus?

"The Harder They Fall" / 2 Samuel 21:15-22 /

Jim Rosenquist

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" Promise Breakers" / 2 Samuel 21:1-14 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 1-2, what wise thing did David do when he suspected something spirititual connected to the drought? What answer did he get?

What had Saul done to violate the covenant made with the Gibeonites? What may have been his reason?

2 – In verse 3, David asked the Gibeonites what solution should be done to make them whole again. What should he have done instead?

3 – In verses 4-9, What do the Gibeonites want? Why? Was this God's suggestion?

David's?

Why does David give them what they ask for? Why does he spare Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth?

Who is Rizpah? (see 2 Sam:3-7) Who is Merab? (see 1 Sam 18:17-19)

4 – In verses 11-14a, What did David do when he heard of Rizpah's vigil? How did David's action honor Saul and his family?

5 – In verse 14b, When did the people start praying? About what? What happened to cause God to respond to their prayer?

Although the sacrifice of these men for Saul's sin was the Gibeonite's suggestion, not God's, how does it prefigure Christ's substitutionary sacrifice for you? How should this influence your prayers?

" Promise Breakers" / 2 Samuel 21:1-14

Jim Rosenquist

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"Fierce Friends" / 2 Samuel 19:40 – 20:26 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses, 19:40–43, who first considered bringing David back to his throne? (v.9-10) Who initiated the action with Judah? (v 11-15) Who finally acts to welcome David as king? (v 40)

Why are the 10 tribes of Israel angry with Judah? (v 41) What is their defense? What does it mean that the words of Judah were, "fiercer." (v 43)

2 – In chapter 20, in verses 1-2, what do we know about Sheba? Why is he so quick to complain and lead a rebellion? Why do the men of Israel so quickly follow him?

In verses 4-13, Who is Amasa? (see 2 Sam 17:25, 1 Chron 2:13-17, 2 Sam 19:13) Why is he the head of David's military? Why not Joab? Why does Joab murder Amasa?

In verses 14 and following, Who is still standing with, and supporting Sheba when he hides out in Abel? Why is Joab determined to destroy the city?

What does the wise woman say to change Joab's plans? What does she do to save her city?

Joab was loyal to David and fiercely defended his kingdom, but he was not obedient to his king? He does not try to replace David as king, but he is unsubmissive when he thinks he knows better. Read Mt 7:21-23. What does Jesus say about people like that? Can Jesus be your savior, but not your lord? What does that mean?

Fierce Friends" / 2 Samuel 19:40 – 20:26 ** Audio begins at 1:30 **

Jim Rosenquist

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