I know sometimes it’s easy to think the division of our day has never happened before. As Ecclesiastes teaches us, “There is nothing new under the sun.” Mike Donehey sings about being “All Together” in his new song. I want to explore what we can learn from a church family who DIDN’T have it all together and what they were taught to overcome the division of their day.
Let’s explore the first letter to the church at Corinth together.
In this episode, I discuss:
- Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week’s Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Consider the opposite
- Historical context
- Read the envelope
- Follow the cross-references
- Read and keep on reading
- Repetition
- Make a list
- The 30 Day Music Challenge
- Exploring the division revealed in the early church at Corinth
- Discovering the historical context of the city of Corinth as a cosmopolitan city made up of people from all over the empire brining their worldviews and practices with them into their new Christian faith
- Recognizing that we long for a church family where we are accepted while simultaneously realizing we bring our backstories with us into our new family in Christ
- Paul’s appeal for unity – 1 Corinthians 1:10
- The Corinthian church’s tendency to follow their favorite dynamic leader over Christ – 1 Corinthians 1:11-16
- How the gospel is the main thing – 1 Corinthians 1:17
- How glorifying the preacher or the preaching can “empty the cross of its power” – 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
- Being united around the gospel and united in love – 1 Corinthians 13
Enjoy the official lyric video of our inspiration song below.
More Than a Song Playlist
Additional Resources
- Lyrics – NewReleaseToday.com
- The story behind the song “All Together” by Mike Donehey – Kevin Davis Article NewReleaseToday.com
- “How to Read the Bible Book by Book” by Fee and Stuart – Amazon Paid Link
- Overview of 1 Corinthians – BibleProject.com
This Week’s Challenge
Read 1 Corinthians for yourself. Take in some of the backstory by reading Acts 18. Gain knowledge not immediately available in the text by consulting an introduction in your study Bible, in an online study Bible, or a book like the one I talked about. Interact with the Bible by making lists of ways the church was divided. Seriously consider if any of the big ideas represented in your list is evident in your life or church. If so, repent of these ways and refocus around the truth and power of the gospel.
