1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Small Group study

1 Cor 3:1-9 Sermon Summary

1 But I, brothers, could Following the discussion of the cross as God’s wisdom and the great divider of all
not address you as people as “natural (unsaved) or “spiritual” (saved), Paul admonishes the Corinthian
spiritual people, but as church for not fully embracing the wisdom of the cross. He refers to them as
people of the flesh, as “infants” as they should be identifying more as spiritual by now. Instead they
infants in Christ. 2 I fed quarrel among each other and are falling into factions based on ministry
you with milk, not solid leadership. Paul says that neither him nor Apollos are to be cherished more than
food, for you were not God, who is ultimately responsible for their salvation and spiritual growth.
ready for it. And even now
you are not yet ready, Into the Text
3 for you are still of the
flesh. For while there is 1. What does it mean to be “of the flesh” and how does it manifest itself? (vv.1, 3)
jealousy and strife among See also Romans 7:14-20 & 13:14, Galatians 5:16-21, 1 Peter 2:11, Ephesians 2:3
you, are you not of the
flesh and behaving only in 2. What does it mean to be an “infant in Christ”? How is that different from being
a human way? 4 For when “spiritual”? (v. 1) See also 1 Corinthians 14:20, Ephesians 4:13-14
one says, “I follow Paul,”
and another, “I follow 3. What is the difference between “milk” and “solid food” (or “meat”)? (v. 2)
Apollos,” are you not What are examples of “milk” teaching and “solid food” teaching?
being merely human?
4. Based on your answers from questions 2 & 3, what is spiritual maturity for
5 What then is Apollos?
Paul?
What is Paul? Servants
through whom you 5.Explain the metaphor in verse 6. How does Paul use the metaphor to serve as an
believed, as the Lord answer to the maturity problem at Corinth? See also Isaiah 61:11, Acts 11:18,
assigned to each. 6 I Romans 15:18
planted, Apollos watered,
but God gave the growth. OPTIONAL: 6. What does it meant to receive “wages”? What might those
7 So neither he who plants “wages” be? (v. 8) See also Ro- mans 2:6-10, 1 Peter 5:4, Matthew 5:11-12; 2
nor he who waters is Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 22:12, Psalms 62:12.
anything, but only God
who gives the growth. Applying The Text
8 He who plants and he
who waters are one, and 1. Are you an “infant” believer? Or are you a “spiritual” (mature) believer? How
each will receive his do you know? What behaviors influence your decision?
wages according to his
labor. 9 For we are God's 2. Are you stuck in your spiritual growth? Have you stopped growing as a
fellow workers. You are believer? Or do you continue to grow in maturity? In what ways has God been
God's field, God's growing or changing you recently?
building.”
3. Understanding your identity as a Christian is key to spiritual growth. Are you
letting the message of the cross dwell deeper in your life? How can you start?

OPTIONAL: 4. Some day you will stand before Christ and give an account of how
you managed your time and abilities. How would that meeting turn out? Are you
using or neglecting your gifts?