1. What chapter and verse in 1 Corinthians can be considered as the “thematic statement” of the entire book?
2. What was occurring among the Christians in Corinth that caused Paul to write them about issues of unity? What was Paul’s solution?
3. Paul commented in 1 Corinthians 1:14 that he was glad he had not baptized many of the people in Corinth. Does this suggest that baptism is not essential for salvation? If not, why not?
4. Unity, according to Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 1:18, can be established by concentrating on a central element of Christianity. What is that element?
5. In 1 Corinthians 2:13, Paul addressed how man’s reasoning should factor into Christianity. What was his conclusion?
6. When Paul wrote the Christians in Rome, he made the point that “the just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:16-17). How does a person obtain faith? How is faith increased?
7. Paul urged the Corinthian Christians to “have the mind of Christ.” Compare that statement to what Peter said about “walking in the footsteps” of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21), and explain the thrust of the statements by the two apostles.
8. When Jesus was tempted by Satan (Matthew 4), how did He resist the temptation? What is the message of this text for us today?
9. What does the text found in Philippians 2:5-11 tell us about “the mind of Christ”? What is the message of this text for us today?
10. In Amos 3:3, the prophet asked, “Can two walk together unless they are agreed?” How does this rhetorical question impact the concept of religious division—in the first century, and in the twenty-first century?
11. Peter taught in Acts 2:38 that we should be baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ.” Why are we baptized in Christ’s name, as opposed to Paul’s name, Peter’s name, or someone else’s name?
12. What did Paul mean by the phrase, “the foolishness of the cross” (1 Cor. 1:18)?
13. In Romans 4:3, Paul asked the question, “What does the Scripture say?” How does that question apply to the situation of religious division?
14. When Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy, he told the young preacher that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Tim. 3:16). What does the word “inspiration” mean? What was Paul’s point in stating that “all Scripture” is inspired?
15. Christians are commanded: “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col. 3:16). What does that mean?
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, 607 McLish Ave., Ardmore, OK 73401; (580) 223-3289; www.thegospelofchrist.com