1 Corinthians: Part 6

Sunday, March 8, 2026

Read reverently the passage together and pray. 

Main Passage:  1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Big Idea: A maturing church learns from the example of the godly, not the wisdom of the worldly. 

Quotable Quotes:

  • To warm up, ask your Growth Group what they think Jason meant by the following quotes. 

    • “You wait till your father gets home! ”

    • “Let’s not be marshmallowy – ya’know, puffy yet nothing inside.” 

    • “We need to demonstrate the teachings of the Bible, not simply discuss them.”                                                     

~  Jason Wing

Work through the chapter 

Vv. 1-5

  • Paul saw himself as a “servant” and a “steward”.  Based on vv. 1-5 and Pastor Jason’s preaching, what do you understand these terms to mean?  How will this understanding help shape our perspective of ourselves? In what ways will this biblical understanding help us serve at home? At work? At school? at UBC?

  • Judgment = observing, evaluating, and forming opinions.  Whose opinion matters most to Paul? Whose opinion matters most to you? How can trusting what God says about you free you from a “people-pleasing” agenda? How can trusting what God says about others free you from a cycle of harshly criticizing others?  

Vv. 6-13

  • How does a “high calling” from God produce a “lowly walk” for us in Christ? In what specific relationships can we choose to become fools for the sake of Christ?  

Vv. 14-21

  • Vv. 14-21 show Paul’s pastoral heart. Reread this paragraph slowly.  How can listening to Paul’s fatherly tone help you mature in your faith? 

  • Pastor Jason said something like, “genuine spiritual authority in God’s kingdom is demonstrated not by arrogant words but by genuine power.” What are practical, consistent ways to pray faithfully and regularly for our leaders? How will following Paul’s example help us speak the truth with a gentle tone to others?  How do we walk in submission to spiritual leaders who live out the gospel with both fatherly gentleness and strength? Could this biblical submission unleash Christ’s transforming strength in UBC?

Apply the chapter.

  1. Will you learn how to give and receive criticism? 

  2. Will you learn to make disciples who make disciples?

  3. Will you learn to serve with a high view of the Lord and a low view of yourself?

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