Bible Studies

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“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

Each week we will look at an area where we can transform and renew our minds to think differently than we have in the past. As you encounter struggles or suffering this week, train your mind to see these disturbances as God’s way to bring about spiritual change in your heart, life, and mind.**

I. Scripture reading this week: I Corinthians 1:18-2:16 Distill from the passage the following five categories and consider in regards to:

a. The Foolishness Of Men – Foolish men (of the world), highly esteemed by their peers, look upon the message of the cross as foolishness. But the foolish (in Christ) know it is the wisdom of God. The lowly and despised, the things that “are not,” stand as the very things God has chosen to shame the things that “are!”

b. The Foolishness of God – Greater than the wisdom of men: His word in the mouth of the preacher, 'by the foolishness of preaching,' has power to save.

c. The Wisdom of Men – God's wisdom will devour worldly wisdom; He makes the wisdom of this world foolish. Let not our faith rest in the wisdom of men.

d. The Wisdom of God – In His wisdom God designed the world so that it could not in its wisdom know Him; the world, apart from revelation, cannot grasp the secret things of God.

e. The Power of God – Christ is the power of God in the message of the cross. The unregenerate man views the power of the cross as weak.

II. Where are our wisdom, righteousness and sanctification found? Christ Jesus. (I Corinthians. 1:30)

Why is this important to know?

This truth must be fully grasped else our underpinning will be weak. As an example, for years I built on the shaky ground of performance religion. We can learn however from our mistake when Jesus opens our eyes - as He did Paul’s - to reconstruct on a new and better foundation, which is Christ Jesus. He will lead us to firmer ground.

III. Why does God choose weak and “foolish” people to work out His plan?

In order that His strength may be manifest, that no one may boast save in Christ alone, and so that the wisdom of the world may appear as foolishness to God.

IV. Describe Paul’s attitude in I Corinthians 2:1-5.

Paul said he did not come with humanly devised eloquence or worldly wisdom, but in demonstration of Spirit power. In his opinion his own articulation should never eclipse the power of the cross. Some of Paul's peers degraded his preaching accusing him of being strong in his letters, weak when he was present with them.

... his answer: “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” II Corinthians 11: 30

V. What is the mystery of God Paul speaks of in I Corinthians 2:7?

It is the mystery of salvation and the gospel - the cross and salvation by grace - and that God prepared a way for this salvation to go to the Gentile as well as to the Jew.

How could this mystery be a disruption to the Jews?

For centuries the Jews believed that they were not only God's chosen people but also exclusively pre-determined for salvation. To them salvation meant exclusion from Messiah’s wrath at His coming and deliverance from bondage to their enemies. The true Messiah would prove himself by crushing the enemy and setting up His kingdom by force, immediately establishing Israel as head of all nations. Jesus did not fit their job description as Messiah nor offer the kind of deliverance for which they yearned. True is the statement in Romans: "Salvation is of the Jew," but the Light of the Israel was destined to shine also upon the Gentile.

VI. What hope and comfort do you find in I Corinthians 2:10-16?

God promises that we can trust the Holy Spirit to counsel with our spirit, affording us understanding of all things God has freely given us. He will open to us the mystery of man's destiny.

VII. Read the complete story of David and Goliath in I Samuel 17.

Who is the weak character in this story? Give reasons for your answer.

David was the youngest son of Jesse, a shepherd of the flocks. He was a “fair” youth, untried in battle, disdained by his brothers and unequipped with common weapons of war. Compared to Goliath, he looked like a grasshopper. On the surface he seemed to have very little going for him.

Who is the strong character in this story?

Goliath came in heavy armor: he carried a spear ‘like a weaver’s beam' and a shield-bearer ran before him. He was over nine feet tall and his boasting and infamous reputation of 'putting many an army to flight' caused the soldiers of Israel to quake before him. He seemed to have everything going for him.

VIII. How do you see the effects of fear demonstrated in this chapter?

The Israeli army was paralyzed with fear. In their king we also see anxiety - Saul offered prizes to the man who killed Goliath: tax exemption, a royal alliance with the king through marriage, and great riches. In the brothers of David fear manifested itself in jealousy and rage.

IX. How do you see faith demonstrated in this chapter?

David had faith in God and trusted in God's fealty to the nation of Israel. He believed that God would stand for Israel against 'this uncircumcised Philistine’ who hurled insults at them from across the gorge. Saul showed a “limited” faith in David and the “Lord being with him.” At least it meant someone other than he (Saul) would be going out to risk their neck.

X. What comparisons can you make between David and Goliath’s story (I Samuel 17) and Paul’s words in I Corinthians 1:18-2:16?

The character who appeared 'weak' in the story was in reality a good, strong protagonist, mighty in the Lord. The weak one was the man who trusted in himself that he was strong.**



**Introduction and outline/questions by Belinda Dunn, "Confident Weakness Bible Study" Answers and comments mine.

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