Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class on 18 July.
Photograph by William Earnhardt
Key Text: “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10, ESV).
Read in Class: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17.
Study: What did Paul mean by being united in the same mind and the same judgment? How does this passage help us understand the importance of being united in Christ, rather than being a groupie of a preacher or any human leader?
Apply: During the past few decades, some parts of the Seventh-day Adventist Church have emphasized small group Bible studies. What is the difference between cliques and small groups? How can we be careful that small groups do not turn into cliques?
Share: Every time the district pastor is gone, and a local elder speaks at your church, one of your friends says she is just going to stay home watch the livestream broadcast where the pastor will be preaching from the other church in your district. What do you tell your friend?
Read in Class: 1 Corinthians 3:1-4.
Study: How does Paul here describe the spiritual immaturity of the Corinthians?
Apply: What has been your experience with being greatly disappointed by someone whom you had greatly admired? If you have had this experience, what lessons did you learn from it?
Share: How would you advise a friend to deal with the envy, strife and division going on in his church? What practical ideas would you suggest for him to be a peace maker?
Read in Class: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 and Philippians 2:5-8.
Study: How can we as human leaders have the mind of Christ? What does being a servant-leader look like today in your church culture?
Apply:Prayerfully dwell on the message of Philippians 2:5-8. How do we grasp what this tells us about God’s self-denying love for us? Why, too, do we need to die to self in a way so that, in our own sphere, we can emulate this love?
Share: A freind of yours who is an elder in the church tells you he would be a lot more humble if the other elders were not so arrogant. He says he can’t be humble because then the arrogant elders will just bully him. What do you tell your friend?
Read in Class: 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 and Colossians 1:24.
Study: What does it mean to suffer for Christ’s sake?
Apply:How much have you suffered for Christ’s sake, whatever your role in the church? What lessons might be found in your answer?
Share: Your friend asks you if you have ever rejoiced because of your sufferings? What do you tell your friend?
Mission: Find a prayer partner to pray for unity in your church.
