#474 (4/11/21) SPIRIT-TAUGHT WORDS (1 COR. 2:13-14)

This week our devotions are based on 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.

AVOID SPEAKING ACCORDING TO ‘HUMAN WISDOM’

How we speak is the product of our culture; the family that we grew up in, our schooling, our friendships, the country we live in… all affect how we speak and what we speak about. Paul warns us of ‘words taught us by human wisdom’. This is speaking in ways not derived from God. ‘Human wisdom’ is any teaching that does not have the cross of Christ and the glory of God at its centre.

SPEAK IN WORDS TAUGHT BY THE SPIRIT

The alternative to ‘words taught by human wisdom’ is ‘words taught by the Spirit’ or ’Spirit-taught words’. This is about learning a new way of speaking from God. The Spirit, As we devote ourselves to scripture, wants to give us new vocabulary and wisdom so as to use our words for the good of others.

Spirit-taught words are, firstly, the message of the gospel. This is about looking for any opportunity to speak about Jesus to anyone who will listen. At the beginning of this chapter we read, ‘I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.’ These are the most important Spirit-taught words that we need to listen to and to speak to each other. Of course, we speak about many things to our friends in and outside the church, but let’s each of us aim to also speak to one another of God’s wisdom as we read in Colossians 3,

OVER TO YOU - PRAY AND WORSHIP OUT OF THE BIBLE

I’ve made a few comments. However, it’s more important that you engage with the text yourself. Take a moment to pray and listen to God’s voice out of today’s text.

Use the following questions which are based upon The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13).

1. Praise - What does this text teach me about God? What can I praise Him for?

2. Petitions - What does this teach me about His will for me and others? What could I pray for from this text? This is a good time to pray for our non-believing. friends. It’s good to ask, Is the Holy Spirit leading me in any specific response?

3. Peace-making - Is the Holy Spirit convicting me of sin for which I need forgiveness? Do I need to forgive others?

4. Protection - Ask for God’s protection generally and for any specific areas of vulnerability. Am I believing lies regarding the truths in this text?

COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

1. Let's be praying and actively preparing to invite friends to our carol service on 5th December. Please make sure this is in your diary.

2. Don't forget to come along and invite your friends to our Christmas Pudding making event on 20th November. Go to the website to book tickets.

3. We have our next gift days on the 14th, 21st November. Let's be praying for How the Father wants us to get involved.

2. Icebreaker

How has God spoken to you from the Bible this week?

3. Recap of Sunday's message - please share in your group

Running up to our carol service on the 5th December we would like you to spend more time on the SIV (Serving, Invest and Invite) aspect of our time together. Therefore, there will only be fewer questions each week on the Sunday message so as to give plenty of time for praying and sharing about our mission.

On Sunday, we continued with our series in 1 Corinthians.

Please read 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.

I wonder how we might define wisdom and maturity? This text portrays wisdom as the message of 'Christ crucified' (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). The gospel is God's wisdom and power.

To be mature is to listen and receive God's wisdom in the gospel. To be mature is to build our lives on Jesus. To be mature is also to listen to God's voice in all of scripture.

In summary, we can define the mature: 'The mature are those who listen to God'.

Discussion questions

1. How does Paul define God's wisdom in the first 2 chapters of 1 Corinthians? (1:18, 1:21, 1:24-25, 1:30, 2:1-2)

2. Please read 1 Corinthians 2:9-14. What does this teach about who the Spirit is? What does it teach about his role in our understanding the gospel and the Bible more broadly?

2. How do you listen to God's voice in scripture each day, or how would you like to develop in this?

3. How has God spoken to you from this text or Sunday’s message?

4. SIV - Do you have any encouraging stories or any plans in this regard?

5. SIV - Who are you planning to invite to the carol service on 5th December?

6. Prayer - Let's spend some time in prayer regarding this week's message and anything else that you would like to pray about.