Bible Reading1 Corinthians 11:17-24 “But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'”
[52:22]Matthew 26:26-28 “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is my body.' And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'”
[58:30]Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
[01:03:31]Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
[01:03:44]Luke 15:11-32 “And he said, 'There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate. Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'”
[42:34]Observation questions- In 1 Corinthians 11, what specific problems does Paul point out in the Corinthian church when they come together for the Lord’s Supper? [52:22]
- In Matthew 26:26-28, what do the bread and the cup point to, and what does Jesus say the cup is for?
- What does Romans 3:23 say about everybody, and what does Romans 8:1 say about those who are in Christ Jesus? [01:03:31]
- What kinds of attitudes and behaviors were described as making the house disordered and hurting its witness to people who come in needing hope? [49:44]
Interpretation questions- Paul says the church at Corinth was coming together “not for the better but for the worse.” What does that suggest about how a church gathering can still be active and religious, yet spiritually unhealthy? [52:32]
- Jesus gave the bread and cup on the same night He was betrayed. What does that reveal about His love, His purpose, and the weight of the cross? [55:22]
- If all have sinned, yet there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, what does it mean to come to the table in a worthy manner? How is that different from trying to come in sinless perfection? [01:06:12]
- The church is called to be a place where the prodigal can come home and the vilest sinner can find hope. How does that mission shape the way believers should treat one another in the room? [42:24]
Application questions- When the room gets busy and life gets loud, what helps you slow down and come before God with reverence instead of just going through the motions? [01:15:45]
- Is there anything right now between you and God that needs to be confessed, or anything between you and another believer that needs to be made right before coming to the table? [01:08:30]
- A bad attitude can poison even holy things. What usually pulls your heart out of shape before worship—stress, pride, anger, distraction, hurt, or something else? What would it look like to bring that honestly before the Lord this week? [48:49]
- The bread and cup call believers to look back at the cross and forward to Christ’s return. Which side do you tend to forget more easily—what Jesus has done, or that Jesus is coming back? [01:01:58]
- The church should be a place where hurting and wandering people find both conviction and hope. What can you do in a practical way to help make the room feel like that kind of place for somebody walking in broken? [43:03]
- God cannot bless a mess. Is there an area in your home, relationships, schedule, or spiritual life that feels disordered right now? What would getting that area under God’s order actually look like? [41:47]
- The mission needs every member in the fight. Where do you sense God asking you to stop watching from the sidelines and step in with prayer, service, encouragement, or care for others? [01:24:10]
