God’s People United
Opening Prayer
Thank the Lord for the church body you are a part of, mentioning those you have had some friction with.
Read 1 Corinthians 1:10-17
[10] I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. [11] My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. [12] What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” [13] Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? [14] I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, [15] so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. [16] (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) [17] For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is Paul's message to the quarreling Corinthians?Paul appeals to the Corinthians to “agree with one another” and be “perfectly united in mind and thought” (10). They’ve been quarreling about the one they follow, apparently according to whoever baptized them (11-16). They are missing the point: baptism has nothing to do with the one performing the baptism and everything to do with Jesus. Paul’s preaching has nothing to do with himself and everything to do with the Gospel, the power of the cross (17). Many divisions happen when we fail to see through human and religious trappings to the God who stands behind it all. We need earthly things like baptism and communion to help us in our walk with God, but we must never forget God, to whom these things point. Our challenge is to recognize when “stuff” is standing in the way, obscuring God rather than pointing us to him. If something is causing quarrels, then that’s a big clue. Let’s not be uniform, but let’s be “united” (10) in our mission to the world.
Apply
How can you encourage unity and challenge disagreement among your fellow believers?
Closing prayer
Lord, help me to keep You so clearly before my eyes that the distinctions I have with other believers fade in importance.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.