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Inglewood First UMC reflects on the sermon and scripture from the previous Sunday’s worship. Below, you fill find questions that can be used for Bible Study, small groups or personal devotion. Let the scripture speak in to your life! Expect great things!
Opening Prayer (Wesley Covenant Prayer)
O God, Searcher of all our hearts,
you have formed us as a people and claimed us for your own.
As we come to acknowledge your sovereignty and grace,
and to enter anew into covenant with you,
reveal any reluctance or falsehood within us.
Let your Spirit impress your truth on our inmost being,
and receive us in mercy, for the sake of our Mediator, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 (Common English Bible)
Brothers and sisters, I couldn’t talk to you like spiritual people but like unspiritual people, like babies in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink instead of solid food, because you weren’t up to it yet. 3 Now you are still not up to it because you are still unspiritual. When jealousy and fighting exist between you, aren’t you unspiritual and living by human standards? 4 When someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and someone else says, “I belong to Apollos,” aren’t you acting like people without the Spirit? 5 After all, what is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants who helped you to believe. Each one had a role given to them by the Lord: 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God made it grow. 7 Because of this, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but the only one who is anything is God who makes it grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together, but each one will receive their own reward for their own labor. 9 We are God’s coworkers, and you are God’s field, God’s building.
Summary:
For two weeks in February and Black History Month, we explore foundations of faith from Black Heritage.
In this scripture, Paul reminds the church in Corinth that in order to grow in faith, God blesses us as we all do our part.
Reflection Questions:
- What is a word, phrase or image that comes to mind when you read or hear the text?
- In this scripture, Paul senses that the Church in Corinth is playing favorites. Some prefer Paul’s teaching. Others prefer Apollos. Paul assures the people that everyone has a part to play in God’s labor of love. Our approaches are different and God uses them all for us to grow in faith. What different elements help a plant grow? What are the different practices that help you grow in faith? (prayer, Bible study, worship, service, etc.)
- What does this scripture teach about division of labor?
- What does God invite you to do, change or be through this passage?
Discipleship Huddle Questions:
- How is it with your soul?
- How does your soul prosper?
Closing Prayer
God who surprises us, help us to be surprised by an encounter with you. Keep us attentive to your presence as we go about our week.