Keeping the cross at the center bible study

Main point:

The cross must remain at the center in order for the gospel to stay intact.

Read 1 Corinthians 1:18–25 “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

God humbles the proud and exalts the humble (v.18-20) Exp: Paul explains that a person’s pride or humility impacts their acceptance of the cross to be perishing or salvation (v.18). But this is the exactly what God wants (v.19). God humbles the proud and exalts the humble (v.20) cross-ref: Pharaoh

How does pride affect how one sees the cross? Is there such a thing as being too smart for one’s own good?

Why does God seek to humble the proud? Answer: Because God is holy, He has no pride, so pride is sin and must be wiped out

God uses the impossible (a crucified man) to bring glory to Himself (v.21-24) Exp: It is God’s wisdom for worldly wisdom to fail and for worldly foolishness to prevail (v.21). Every culture has different priorities (v.22) but regardless the cross is offensive to all (v.23) but sweet salvation to the elect (v.24).

What are ways people try to redefine the gospel?

There are 3 from the book. Why are each insufficient?

Jesus is Lord = fails to define what lordship means

Creation, Fall, Redemption, Consummation = focuses more on Christ restoring the world rather than how we can be a part of the new world

Cultural transformation = cultural values become more attractive than the gospel

Prosperity and money

Social/make the world a better place: feed the hungry, help the poor

While it’s good to help the physical needs of people, the soul is of higher priority, “What profit a man if he gains the world but loses his soul?”

Are there any ways you feel pressured to redefine the gospel or to maximize some impacts of the gospel but minimize others?

What is our role in God’s work of changing the world for good? What should our expectations be?

How may understanding that “God uses what seems impossible for great good” impact your life?

God is infinitely superior to man in every way (v.25) Exp: What seems foolish or weak about God is actually infinitely superior to whatever man thinks is wise and strong.

When our minds tell us what God is doing is foolish what should we do?

Not just submit but remember that God is far stronger and wiser than we are