Faith that changes a Nation – Daniel 6

I have been reviewing the book of Daniel, in pursuit of my interest in prophecy. However, chapter 6 caught my attention. If you grew up in a Christian home, you inevitably have heard the story of “Daniel in the lion’s den”. It is a great story for children as most kids are fascinated with animals, especially lions. The story of God saving Daniel from the lion's den is timeless and is precious to all that endears the Christian faith. Nevertheless, beyond more than a mere glance, if a deeper exposition is given to this chapter, we see that it illuminates the astounding influence faith, character and devotion to God can have on a nation. A little background information is helpful before we begin. We have King Darius (of the Medo-Persia empire) running the world kingdom after Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had passed on, here we find Daniel a much older man, still in servitude as a key government official despite these regime changes:  

 ¹ It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, ² with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. ³ Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. ⁴ At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. ⁵ Finally these men said, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God."

A quick definition of the word satrap:

Sa-trap

1 : the governor of a province in ancient Persia

2 (a) : ruler (b) : a subordinate official : henchman

Satrap was a governor of a state, like South Carolina, Georgia, or Florida. But unlike the U.S.A, President Darius had a one level above the governors, a regional head.  Daniel was one of the regional heads, and he would be in charge of the southeast United States following our example.  But President Darius saw that Daniel was an exceptional individual with work ethic and character that was so attractive to the President that he was about to make Daniel the Vice President (with power) over the entire nation!

Daniel’s co-workers were not so good; in fact they were “down right” evil. They did not want Darius to make Daniel the Vice President, so they tried to discredit him, but they could not find anything wrong with him, in terms of his character and his work ethic.

Let’s continue our excursion in Scripture:

 ⁶ So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and said: "O King Darius, live forever! ⁷ The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions' den. ⁸ Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed." ⁹ So King Darius put the decree in writing.

Daniel’s political enemies knew Daniel’s lifestyle. They saw him conduct his lifestyle in an honorable manner, plus they saw him worshipping God daily from his roof top apartment. They knew that he would never defile himself by worshipping anything or anyone other than his God. They devised a perfect trap. They convinced the king that he, Darius was like a god, and that no one should pray to any other gods or God, except to Darius for the next 30 days. It interesting to analyze why Darius thought this may have been a good suggestion, but we will never really know.  Any king that desires to have a good administration, such as putting Daniel in charge, perhaps isn’t evil at the core of his heart. It is clear that he had a measure of wisdom when he desired to put a righteous man like Daniel in charge.  However, he may have thought that it was good idea to get his subjects to obey the laws of the land by enacting them to worship him – I don’t know, I am just guessing. Later we see that he regrets this deeply.  At any rate, Darius agrees and finalizes the law by putting it into writing. Apparently in ancient Persia, when a king decrees a new law and puts it into writing, there is no repeal of this decree. The trap was set! But God’s hand was on this as He put a 30 day limit to this wicked scheme. 

 ¹⁰ Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. ¹¹ Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. ¹² So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: "Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or man except to you, O king, would be thrown into the lions' den?"
      The king answered, "The decree stands—in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed."
 ¹³ Then they said to the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day." ¹⁴ When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.
 ¹⁵ Then the men went as a group to the king and said to him, "Remember, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed."
 ¹⁶ So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!"

Daniel learns about the decree. What does he do? He does the very thing his enemies wanted, he prayed to his God, sealing his death sentence. “Practical “Christianity would perhaps have suggested that he should have closed his windows, or prayed in his bathroom privately. After all it was only for 30 days and he can "play the game" for that long. And not to mention God is a God of love, and filled with grace, surely He would understand that under the circumstances, it would be just fine if Daniel prayed in hiding or even stopped praying for a little while.

A modern day example is: we are comfortable carrying our bibles to church on Sunday or praying before we eat in restaurants in America, but how about doing this in Iran (incidently is ancient Persia)? Would we change our behavior because of fear or do we continue our devotion in faith? Daniel continued in faith.  In fact it was his faith that prevented him from changing his behavior.  His faith was expressed through relentless devotion!

When the king realized his mistake and understood the trap was for favorite future VP Daniel, he was very upset. Amazingly, he was powerless to do anything about this. God orchestrated a 30 day moratorium on Darius’ power through the wicked plans of Satan, to show Darius that God alone could save Daniel.

Let’s read on from Scripture:

¹⁷ A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might not be changed. ¹⁸ Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.

 ¹⁹ At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. ²⁰ When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?"

 ²¹ Daniel answered, "O king, live forever! ²² My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king."

 ²³ The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Darius the king had a rougher night in the gold-crested, silver lined, sweet aroma filled king’s chamber, than Daniel the servant in a dungeon with lions! Imagine if you were Daniel, you should be dead, but there you are patting these big kitties – that would be way too cool than a restless night! How much stronger will your faith be? How much more in love with God will you be? God was Daniel's shield and armor. Only because of faith, did Daniel experience God in a greater and profound way.

The joy was also shared by king Darius when he found Daniel totally unhurt. Daniel had no anger or bitterness against the king, he affirms his loyalty to his God, and his honesty to his boss.  I would have loved to have witnessed the joy Darius and Daniel felt when God performed this miracle.

²⁴ At the king's command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

 ²⁵ Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land:
       "May you prosper greatly!

 ²⁶ "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.
       "For he is the living God
       and he endures forever;
       his kingdom will not be destroyed,
       his dominion will never end.

 ²⁷ He rescues and he saves;
       he performs signs and wonders
       in the heavens and on the earth.
       He has rescued Daniel
       from the power of the lions."

 ²⁸ So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus ^[a] the Persian.


The consequences of evil doers goes beyond them, it effects their families as well. They and their families died a horrific death by the same lions. They had hoped to remove Daniel but they were removed. Darius, clearly now a believer, gives glory to God and issued a decree that all people in his kingdom acknowledge and worship the God of Daniel.

What can you learn from this spiritual ancestor of ours who lived in a very dark religious era some 2600 years ago? If we had faith like this and lived it out without compromise, we will change America. Faith draws God’s attention and causes Him to act in and through us, and miracles happen. A nation, a community or perhaps just one person will say “The God of those Christians is the TRUE living God”.   

Acts 18 - Apostle Paul in Corinth - a need met.

In Act 18, we find Paul arriving in Corinth. He had just left Athens. He finds Aquila and Priscilla. I find it very interesting how Holy Spirit causes him to meet Aquila, and Priscilla, who were residents of Rome, but were "kicked out" because of a decree by Claudius. These were people perhaps very similar to us, and it is conceivable that Aquila and Priscilla were upset and confused over the fact that as Jews, they no longer could be in Italy (Roman city and a region in the first century), so they moved to Corinth in Greece. What they must have thought as a tough situation, will turn out to be a blessing on them. They will become the human support of one of the greatest apostles - Paul!

Corinth was a commercial city with a healthy business culture, and prosperous population. Paul who was broke and needed a job, runs into them, and, “surprisingly” they were in the same business of making tents.


They were the team that Paul needed for his financial needs, and spiritual encouragement. He worked by day, making tents and every “Sunday” (Sabbath), Paul preached to the Jews and Greeks about Christ.


God provided comfort and friendship to Paul through Aquila and Priscilla! He thought he was alone, but when he got there, God already arranged to provide for His servant's need.


Do you believe that God has already provided for your need?


Matthew 6:30-33 (New King James Version)


30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?


31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.


Matthew 6:30-33 (The Message)


30-33"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

1 Corinthians Study: Chapter 6

1 Corinthians 6 (Scripture Passage: New International Version)

Lawsuits Among Believers

1If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 2Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church![a] 5I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6But instead, one brother goes to law against another—and this in front of unbelievers!

Discussion questions:
1. Why is not proper for Christians to sue each other in secular courts?
2. How should Christians resolve legitimate disputes? Why is this important?
3. Who will Christians judge? List all who will be judged by believers in the above verses?


7The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.

Discussion questions:
4. What does lawsuit within a church indicated about them?
5. Why is it good to take the moral higher ground and when is appropriate to take legal action?


9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.


Discussion question:
6. What is Paul trying to remind them of? Why is important to remember you identity (in Christ)?

Sexual Immorality
12"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13"Food for the stomach and the stomach for food"—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh."[b] 17But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. 18Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.


Discussion questions:
7. What “type” of sin is sexual immorality? What are the implications?
8. What is your body now as a believer? What does this mean?
9. Purity of thought, purity of living – what are some safeguards we must have to keep us from falling into sexual temptations?

1 Corinthians Study: Chapter 5

1 Corinthians 5 (Scripture Passage: New International Version)



Expel the Immoral Brother!


1It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. 2And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? 3Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. 4When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature[a] may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.

Discussion questions:
1. What was the sexual immorality that even “pagan” or un-believers do not conduct what was found in this church?
2. How did this church respond to this sin?
3. How should they have responded to this sin?
4. What did Paul do to this man?
5. What did Paul mean when he said “hand this man over to Satan so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord”? Discuss.

6Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? 7Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.

Discussion questions:
6. What does yeast do to bread? How does this related to sin?
7. What does yeast represent in the above passage?
8. How do you identify if you have “yeast” in your life or church?


9I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you.


Discussion questions:
9. There are Christians who are not living the way God would want them to – here we are not to associate with them? How is this applied to us today? And why such a stern instruction?

1 Corinthians Study: Chapter 4

1 Corinthians 4 (Scripture Passage: New International Version)



Apostles of Christ


1So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.


Discussion questions:
1. As servants, what have we been entrusted with?
2. How serious are you about your “calling”?
3. How do evaluate if you are on the track with what God has called you to do?


6Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. 7For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?  8Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings—and that without us! How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you! 9For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. 10We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 11To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

Discussion questions:
4. Why did Apostle Paul call the Corinthians kings?
5. What was the apostle’s condition and  why was it different from the average church going Corinthian?
6. Why was this disparity between the church and the apostles?


14I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. 15Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. 18 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. 19But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 20For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?


Discussion questions:
  7. Why is Apostle Paul establishing his authority over this church?
  8. What right did he think he had?
  9. Do your pastors have authority over you?
10. How do you treat your pastors and elders when they instruct you to do follow Christ?

1 Corinthians Study: Chapter 3

1 Corinthians 3 (Scripture Passage: New International Version)


On Divisions in the Church


1Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? 4For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men?

Discussion questions:
1. How identifies you as “worldly” or “Spiritual”?
2. Why did Apostle Paul say that they were infants?
3. Define this church’s problem(s)?


5What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.


Discussion questions:
4. Look at the farmer – does he make his crop grow?
5. How does God grow someone?
6. What has God done in your life recently to grow you?


10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 16Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

Discussion questions:
7. Will we give an account of our work here on earth?
8. What happens if our work is burnt up? What that mean?


18Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"[a]; 20and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."[b] 21So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, 22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas[c] or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.

Discussion questions: 
  9. How do we make sure our “labor” results in reward?
10. How do you discern if your wisdom is from God or from the World?
11. Who should we boast in? and why is this important?

1 Corinthians Study: Chapter 2

1 Corinthians 2 (Scripture Passage from New International Version)

1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.[a] 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.

Discussion questions:
1. Why was Apostle Paul not interested in trying to impress them?
2. How to you come to someone in “weakness” and “fear” and why?
3. What can get in the way of seeing God’s power in our lives according to this passage?


Wisdom From the Spirit


6We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"[b]— 10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.


Discussion questions:
4. What is God’s secret wisdom?
5. Why is that wisdom hidden from the world?
6. What was important for the world not to see for salvation to happen?


The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.[c] 14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: 16"For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?"[d] But we have the mind of Christ.

Discussion questions:
7. Why does God’s Spirit searches God’s things?
8. What is the connection between your spirit and your thoughts?
9. How is it that we can understand God’s mind and His heart?
10. Who is our real teacher?
11. Who rejects the things of God? What kind of man is he?
12. Who accepts the things of God? What kind of man is he?
13. What kind of mind does the believer in Christ have?
14. What should we do about it if we have the mind of Christ (application)?

1 Corinthians Study: Chapter 1

1 Corinthians 1 (Scripture passage fromNew King James Version)
Greeting


1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


Spiritual Gifts at Corinth


4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.


Discussion questions:
1. How was the testimony of Christ confirmed in the believers at Corinth?
2. What is the “Day of the Lord” for the church?
3. How can you stand blameless in the day of the Lord?


Sectarianism Is Sin


10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.
12 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?  14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name.
16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

Discussion questions:
4. What was going on at the church in Corinth (vs 10-17)?
5. What was the root problem?
6. What was Apostle’s Paul’s solution to the root problem?


Christ the Power and Wisdom of God

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

“ I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”[a]


20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks[b] foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Discussion questions:
7. Why is the message of the Cross foolishness to those who are perishing? And what does this mean?
8. What did God do to the wisdom of the world? And how did He do this? Explain:
9. What is the key ingredient for salvation? And why was difficult for the Jew or the Greek in the above passage?
10. How is Christ described with respect to God (vs 24)? What does this mean?


Glory Only in the Lord


26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”[c]

Discussion questions:
11. Who are NOT called? Does this mean that the “noble” and “mighty” people in our society cannot be saved?
12. What was the ultimate purpose for selecting the “weak” and the “foolish” for God?
13. What should we glory in?