ST NICOLAS, NEWBURY

HOME GROUP QUESTIONS

WEEK BEGINNING 6 NOVEMBER 2005

1 CORINTHIANS 9:15-27

For home groups that would like them, here are some questions based on the talk at Sunday's 6:30 pm service. There's no need to answer them all - just tackle the ones you have time for. You don't need to stick to the areas mentioned here - feel free to discuss any other issues that arise for you.

1. Begin by reading verses 24-27. Why is it important to view the Christian life a race? In what ways have you found this to be true?

2. What do you think Paul means by the 'strict training' he refers to in verse 25?

3. As an illustration, there's nothing wrong with enjoying the occasional Big Mac - unless you are an athlete about to take part in a race! Can you think of things which are not specifically sinful but nonetheless get in the way of your running the Christian race?

4. Now read verses 15-19. What is it that controls the way Paul lives his life? To what extent do you share his perspective?

5. Read onto verses 20-23. What risks does Paul's approach of becoming 'all things to all men' expose him to?

6. Suppose you were a Christian from a Jewish background who observed Paul behaving as 'one not having the law' (verse 21). What might you think about him? What does this tell us about coming to conclusions about the behaviour of fellow Christians?

7. A few weeks ago, Edward introduced two scenarios:

1) You, together with a friend who's just become a Christian, are invited to a party by a friend who isn't a Christian. You're aware that at this party it's highly likely that some people will be getting drunk and there may also be drugs in circulation. Do you accept the invitation?

2) A film has been recommended to you as thought provoking and worthwhile, but its values are, to say the least, unsympathetic to the Christian faith! There's lot's of blasphemy, lots of casual sex, violence, you know the rest... Do you go and see it? Do you take other Christian friends along with you?

Discuss your approach to these two scenarios in the light of what Paul says about 'becoming all things to all men so that by all means possible I might save some' (verse 22)

8. Hebrews 12:1-2 comes as an appropriate conclusion: '...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.' Take some time to pray in the light of this passage.

David Stone
6 November 2005