Something to Talk About

April 7-13

Grow Groups Sermon Discussion Guide

GROWING MATURITY pt.2

1 Corinthians 3:5-15

INTRODUCTION:

As you recall the story of the three little pigs—what is the point of the story?

What does it take to build something that will last?

How do we build a marriage that will last?

How do we raise children in the things of the Lord, so that they will walk with God all the days of their life?

What is the most important thing you are building in your life right now?

What has been the biggest thing that has come against building eternal things into your life?

Have you ever gone through a set-back, a storm, reversal, or a dry period spiritually? How did you cope? What did you do to move forward?

What happens in people that causes them to get stuck in a cycle of disfunction in when they face these types of storms?

Genesis 50:20 (NIV) You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Romans 8:28 (NIV) We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Should Christians play the victim or take responsibility to look for ways to move forward? How are you doing with this?

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV84) For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works…

What does this mean?

It has been said, “It takes team work to make the dream work.” What is meant by this statement?

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (NIV) Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body… ¹⁴ Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

What are the implications of this verse?

Matthew 12:25 (NIV) “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” 

What must be done to maintain unity?

How does division affect the church?

 

 

TEXT:

1 Corinthians 3:5-15 (NIV) ⁵ What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. ⁶ I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. ⁷ So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ⁸ The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. ⁹ For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

¹⁰ By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. ¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

What stands out to you in these verses?

THREE THINGS:

1. THE LIMITATION

Two reasons for limitation:

• Their condition,

1 Corinthians 3:3 (NIV) You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?

1 Corinthians 3:3a (NIV) You are still worldly. (NKJV) You are STILL carnal.

What was their condition?

They had birth without growth…. What causes people to stay in this state?

• Their conduct:

1 Corinthians 3:3b (NIV) For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? (NKJV) For where there are envy, strife and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

What kind of conduct were the Corinthians displaying?

Is this still an issue today for Christians today? Why or why not? What can be done about this?

They had division without unity…. How do people develop a divisive spirit? What are the warning signs that a divisive spirit might be taking hold in someone?

 

 

2. THE FOUNDATION

1 Corinthians 3:9-10 (NIV) ⁹ For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. ¹⁰ By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care.

If we are co-workers in God’s service, how are we to following the Biblical Blueprints for our life? Do you have a strong foundation? What does he mean by a strong foundation?

THREE TYPES OF BUILDING:

1. THE RIGHT FOUNDATION

How would you describe the right foundation?

1 Corinthians 3:11 (NIV) For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

How do we build on the foundation of Christ in our lives?

Matthew 7.24-29 (NIV) ²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

²⁸ When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, ²⁹ because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

What is Jesus teaching us here?

Matthew 16.16 (NIV) “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16.16 (NIV) And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

What is the rock that God will build His church on?

The church is built on the rock of Peter’s confession: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” The church is built on a profession of Faith in Jesus Christ the Son of the living God! How does are walk with God strengthen the foundation of the church?

1 Corinthians 3:10 (NIV) By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care.

What is being said to us when Paul writes “each one should build with care?”

 

 

2. THE RIGHT FRAMING

1 Corinthians 3:12-13 (NIV) ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.

How does this building occur—what must we do to build on the foundation?

1 Corinthians 3:12-13 (NIV) ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.

So, what are the six different kinds of materials that are used for building?

So, what does the gold, silver and costly stones consist of in building our lives? What are we to be building our lives on and helping build in the lives of others that will last and not perish?

Do you want to build some that will last for the Lord? What will it take?

 

 

3. THE RIGHT FIRING

1 Corinthians 3:12-13 (NIV) ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.

1 Corinthians 3:14-15 (NIV) If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.  If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

What do these verses mean, what will take place? When will this take place?

1 John 2.28 (NIV) And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

What is meant here?

 

CONCLUSION:

Are you building on the right foundation with the right framing?

What is your life producing that has eternal value?

Are the things you’re investing your life in permanent or temporary, durable, or perishing?

Is your foundation strong? Do you place Jesus first in your life?

PRAYER:

For each other and the Church… that we surrender to the Lord and build His kingdom for His glory!