1. The church in Corinth was experiencing problems in regard to miracles. Discuss why miracles were an issue?
2. There were at least two major purposes for miracles. What were they?
3. Paul made it clear that some Christians in the church in Corinth were misusing spiritual gifts. What was the end result of such an action?
4. Why were miracles important in confirming God’s Word as given through oral presentations?
5. Paul used the Greek word agape for “love” in his discussion in 1 Corinthians 13. What is the meaning of that term? What other types of love can you call to mind?
6. Love can be either passive or active. Give two examples of each.
7. How does Christ’s “Golden Rule” (Matthew 7:12) correlate with Paul’s discussion of love in 1 Corinthians 13?
8. God loved us even when we were “ungodly” (Rom. 5:6-8). What is the implication of that for us today? Bring into your discussion John 3:16 and 1 Corinthians 13.
9. Paul discusses in 1 Corinthians 13 the temporary nature of miracles. Explain how he does that—and why.
10. What is “the perfect” of 1 Corinthians 13:10?
11. What is “the perfect” of 1 Corinthians 13:10 not? Why?
12. Miracles, according to Paul’s discussion in 1 Corinthians 13, were always intended to be temporary, rather than permanent. Why?
13. If miracles were intended to confirm the Word of God in the first century, and if Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles into “all truth” (Jn. 16:13), what is the implication of these two things for those who suggest that miracles are still available today? Bring into your discussion such passages as James 1:5 and 2 Peter 1:3.
14. There are several ways people should be able to distinguish Christians from other people. According to John 13:35, what is one of them?
15. According to John 14:15, what is another distinguishing mark of a Christian?
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