Bible Reading1 Corinthians 10:1–22 “For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.’ We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?”
[30:23] [33:27]Genesis 4:7 “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
[48:23] [51:43]Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
[55:41]Psalm 103:1–5 “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
[50:06]Observation questions- What repeated words and experiences in 1 Corinthians 10:1–4 show how fully God had provided for Israel in the wilderness? [44:30]
- In 1 Corinthians 10:5–10, what specific sins does Paul name after describing Israel’s spiritual privileges?
- What does Genesis 4:7 say can happen not only when a person does wrong, but when a person fails to do what is right? [49:31]
- According to 1 Corinthians 10:12–14, what warnings and promises stand together when believers face temptation? [56:58]
Interpretation questions- Israel experienced God’s presence, protection, food, drink, and provision through the Rock, who was Christ. Why does Paul still use Israel as a warning for believers who have received many spiritual blessings? [47:50]
- How does thankless living prepare the heart to treat God’s gifts as ordinary, insufficient, or deserved—and then look elsewhere for satisfaction? [50:21]
- Psalm 16:11 says there is fullness of joy in God’s presence. What does this reveal about the promises made by success, romance, comfort, money, or approval when those things are expected to give ultimate joy? [56:08]
- Paul says that believers cannot share in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. What does this teach about trying to keep Christ at the center while also making peace with a rival love or ongoing compromise? [01:03:01]
Application questions- Psalm 103 calls God’s people to “forget not all his benefits.” What blessings from God have become so familiar that you are tempted to take them for granted? What might daily thanksgiving look like in one specific part of your routine? [50:43]
- Is there a recent moment when unmet expectations led you toward grumbling, impatience, resentment, or searching for comfort somewhere other than Christ? What was your heart believing it needed in that moment? [54:42]
- Good things can become idols when they become necessary for life to feel meaningful. Is there a good gift—family, children, work, relationships, health, security, reputation, retirement, or ministry success—that has gained too much control over your heart? [01:05:00]
- What would reveal that a good thing has become a rival to Jesus: the amount of fear, energy, money, attention, anger, or compromise connected to it? [01:04:21]
- Where are you most tempted to say, “I would never fall in that area”? How could that confidence become pride rather than humble dependence on God? [57:05]
- Think of one recurring temptation or pressure to conform. What might God’s “way of escape” look like in a practical sense—leaving a setting, turning off access, asking for help, speaking truth, changing a habit, or praying before the pressure grows? [59:29]
- Abraham went up Mount Moriah willing to surrender even Isaac, the precious son connected to God’s promises. What would it look like for you to place your most cherished good gift under the lordship of Jesus rather than “going up the mountain” while leaving the knife behind? [01:08:23]
