The Wisdom of the Cross
All Scripture references are from the New Living Translation (NLT), unless noted otherwise.
In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul meets a very broken church with surprising grace. Before he corrects anything, he reminds them of what is already true because of Jesus. This chapter invites us to build our identity, our unity, and our view of wisdom and strength on the cross of Christ.
Big idea
When Paul writes to the church in Corinth, he does not begin with a list of failures. Instead, he reminds them that they have been called by God, made holy in Christ, enriched with spiritual gifts, and held by a faithful God (1 Corinthians 1:1–9). Their story begins with grace, not performance.
In a culture that measured worth by status, reputation, money, and public success, this was a radical message. Paul gently teaches them that their true identity does not come from how impressive they are but from what God has already done for them in Jesus.
Everything else in this letter flows from that foundation. God’s grace shapes how they see themselves, how they relate to one another, and how they understand the cross. The Christian life does not start with what we do for God. It starts with what God has done for us.
Watch the teaching
Before or after your discussion, you can watch a short overview that introduces key themes from 1 Corinthians. This can help your group see the big picture and connect your chapter study to the whole letter.
Chapter 1 contents
Use these links to jump directly to a section or to your assigned Navigator portion.
Navigator 1 – Grace before correction (1 Corinthians 1:1–9)
Your goal in this section
As the navigator for this part of the chapter, your goal is to help the group see that Paul begins with grace, not criticism. You want people to notice how Paul reminds the church who they are in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:1–3) and what God has already done for them (1 Corinthians 1:4–9), before he speaks about anything that needs to change. This lays a foundation of security and hope for the whole letter.
Introduction (1 Corinthians 1:1–3)
In the first three verses, Paul introduces himself and the church in Corinth. He calls himself “an apostle of Christ Jesus” and describes the believers as those “called by God to be his own holy people” (1 Corinthians 1:2). From the beginning, he places their identity in what God has done, not in what they have achieved.
He calls them “the church of God in Corinth” (1 Corinthians 1:2). Corinth was busy, wealthy, and morally confused. Yet right in the middle of that city, God had a people. Paul wants them to remember that they belong first to God, not to their city, their culture, or their past.
He blesses them with “grace and peace” from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:3). Grace is God’s undeserved kindness and help. Peace is the result of being made right with God. Paul wants these two words to shape the whole atmosphere of their life together.
The big picture (1 Corinthians 1:4–9)
In 1 Corinthians 1:4–9, Paul thanks God for what He has already done in the lives of the Corinthians. He thanks God that they have received His grace, that they have been enriched in their speaking and understanding, and that they are not lacking any spiritual gift as they wait for Jesus to return (1 Corinthians 1:4–7).
Paul is not flattering them. He is testifying that God is at work among them. Their spiritual gifts and desire to know more are signs that God has truly touched their lives. At the same time, he reminds them that it is Jesus who will “keep you strong to the end” (1 Corinthians 1:8). Their hope is not in their ability to stay faithful, but in His promise to hold them.
Paul finishes this section with a strong statement: “God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9). Before he says anything hard, he builds a foundation under their feet. God has called them, God has gifted them, and God will be faithful to them. That is where real growth begins.
Key terms made simple
Use these brief explanations as you lead. Each term can also be opened full-screen on a TV or projector using the pop-ups.
1. Corinth’s culture and identity
Corinth was a major trade city filled with opportunity, noise, and distraction. People came there to improve their lives and make a name for themselves. Success, reputation, and social status mattered a great deal. In that kind of environment, it was very easy for believers to start measuring themselves in the same way the city did.
Paul’s introduction challenges that way of thinking. By emphasizing calling, grace, holiness, and God’s faithfulness, he gently teaches them to base their identity not on how impressive they are, but on what God has already done for them in Christ.
2. Encouragement before correction
Paul knows he will need to confront serious problems later in the letter. He will address division, immorality, pride, and confusion. If he began with rebuke, they might shut down or become defensive. Instead, he starts with thanksgiving and affirmation. He shows them that God really has begun a good work in them.
This is a wise pattern for any leader. When you need to correct someone, it often helps to begin by recognizing what God is already doing in their life. That way, correction is rooted in love and hope, not in frustration.
3. Identity before behavior
Paul does not say, “Behave better so that God will think well of you.” He says, in effect, “God has already called you, made you holy, and gifted you. Now live in a way that fits who you are.” Real change flows out of identity. When people know they are loved, called, and secure in Christ, they can grow without fear.
4. Help for new leaders
Many new leaders feel unqualified. This passage is a quiet encouragement. God is the One who calls, God is the One who gives grace, and God is the One who strengthens. You do not lead a group because you are perfect. You lead because God is gracious and faithful.
Questions for the group
Read 1 Corinthians 1:1–3. How does Paul describe the believers in Corinth? In your own words, what does this teach you about how God sees His people, even when they are not yet where they should be?
Look at 1 Corinthians 1:4–9. As a group, list everything Paul says God has done for the Corinthians. Which of those truths feels most encouraging to you personally right now, and why?
Why do you think Paul chooses to start his letter with encouragement and thanksgiving rather than with correction? How might his approach shape the way we speak to each other in the church when we see something that needs to change?
Navigator 2 – Many voices, one Lord (1 Corinthians 1:10–17)
Your goal in this section
As the navigator for this part, your goal is to help the group see how easily Christians can drift into “fan clubs” around teachers, styles, or preferences, and how Paul calls the church back to unity in Christ alone (1 Corinthians 1:10–13). You want people to reflect honestly on where they might be tempted to divide and to see Jesus as the only foundation.
Calling a divided church back together (1 Corinthians 1:10–11)
In 1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul urges the believers to live in harmony with each other and to let there be no divisions in the church. He is not asking them to all have the same personality or gifts. He is asking them to be united in their core devotion to Christ.
Reports have reached Paul that some in the church are arguing and taking sides (1 Corinthians 1:11). This is not just about small disagreements. Groups are forming around different leaders, and these groups are pulling the church apart.
“I follow Paul… I follow Apollos…” (1 Corinthians 1:12–13)
Some believers say, “I follow Paul,” others say, “I follow Apollos,” and others, “I follow Peter” (1 Corinthians 1:12). These leaders were all faithful servants of Christ, but the people were using their names like spiritual labels to feel superior or more “right” than others.
Paul responds with simple, piercing questions: “Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:13). He wants them to remember that only Jesus died for them and only Jesus is the true center of their faith.
What really matters (1 Corinthians 1:14–17)
Paul is thankful that he did not baptize many of them (1 Corinthians 1:14–16), so that no one can claim they “belong” to him in a special way. He wants to remove any grounds for pride or comparison based on which leader was involved in their baptism.
He says that Christ sent him “to preach the Good News—not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power” (1 Corinthians 1:17). He is not trying to build a personal brand. His focus is on the message of the cross, not on style, reputation, or personal influence.
Key terms made simple
These terms will help your group understand why divisions are so serious and why unity in Christ matters so much.
1. Why “leader fan clubs” are so dangerous
In Corinth, people admired gifted speakers and strong personalities. It was common to attach yourself to a teacher or patron who could raise your status. This same mindset slipped into the church. Instead of seeing leaders as servants, some believers treated them like badges of honor.
Paul does not attack the leaders themselves. Instead, he challenges the attitudes that turn them into symbols of status. The real problem is not Paul, Apollos, or Peter. The problem is when the church forgets that they all belong to Christ.
2. Unity in Christ, not uniformity in preference
Paul’s call for unity does not erase personality, culture, or gift differences. Rather, it calls the church to share the same core loyalty. The center of their life together is Jesus—His cross, His resurrection, His teaching. This allows for healthy diversity while guarding against pride and comparison.
3. What this means for us
Today, division can come through many channels: favorite teachers, worship styles, theological emphases, or church backgrounds. This passage invites us to ask: “Is my heart more excited about my group, my style, or my preferences than about Christ Himself?” It also encourages leaders to make sure their ministry always points beyond themselves to Jesus.
Questions for the group
Read 1 Corinthians 1:10–11. What kinds of things most often cause tension or division among Christians today? How do those compare with what was happening in Corinth?
In 1 Corinthians 1:12–13, Paul confronts the “I follow Paul / Apollos / Peter” mindset. In what ways can we fall into similar patterns—perhaps around preachers, movements, churches, or styles? How can we gently correct this in ourselves and others?
Paul says his calling is to preach the Good News, not with clever speech, so that the power of the cross is not emptied (1 Corinthians 1:17). What might it look like, in our church context, to make sure that the cross of Christ stays at the center of what we do and say?
Navigator 3 – The message of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:18–25)
Your goal in this section
As the navigator here, your goal is to help the group see why the cross looks foolish to some and powerful to others (1 Corinthians 1:18). You want them to understand how God’s wisdom often runs in the opposite direction of human expectations and how the cross stands at the very center of the Christian faith.
Foolishness or power? (1 Corinthians 1:18)
Paul says that the message of the cross is “foolish to those who are headed for destruction,” but to those who are being saved, it is “the very power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). The same message produces very different reactions, depending on the heart of the listener.
In the ancient world, crucifixion was a symbol of shame and weakness. To say that the world is saved through a crucified Messiah sounded absurd to many. Yet this is exactly how God chose to defeat sin and death.
God’s wisdom overturns human wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:19–21)
Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent” (1 Corinthians 1:19; see Isaiah 29:14). God is not impressed by human cleverness. He often works in ways that surprise and humble us.
In 1 Corinthians 1:20–21, Paul explains that the world, with all its wisdom, did not know God through human reasoning. Instead, God chose to reveal Himself through what many considered a foolish message: a crucified Savior. This keeps salvation firmly in God’s hands, not in human achievement.
Jews, Greeks, and the scandal of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:22–25)
Paul observes that Jews look for signs of power and Greeks look for wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:22). The cross does not fit either expectation. For many Jews, a crucified Messiah was a stumbling block. For many Greeks, it was nonsense.
Yet Paul insists that “Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24). In the cross, God displays a wisdom and power far greater than human strength or intelligence. The cross shows us a God who saves not by crushing His enemies, but by bearing their sin and shame.
Key terms made simple
These terms will help your group talk about why the cross changes the way we think about power and success.
1. Why the cross was so shocking
Crucifixion was reserved for criminals and rebels. It was meant to send a message: “This person is cursed and powerless.” For many people in Paul’s day, a crucified Messiah sounded like a contradiction in terms. Yet the New Testament repeatedly shows that Jesus’ death on the cross is the very place where God’s saving power is revealed (see Philippians 2:5–11; Colossians 2:13–15).
2. God’s upside-down wisdom
The cross teaches us that God often works through what looks weak, small, or foolish in the world’s eyes. He saves through apparent defeat. He brings life out of death. This means that we cannot judge God’s wisdom by what is popular or impressive. We must keep returning to Jesus and His cross as our reference point.
3. Application for today
Today, people may still see the message of the cross as unnecessary, offensive, or outdated. Others may admire Jesus as a moral teacher but resist the idea that His death for our sins is central. This passage encourages us not to move away from the cross, but to stay close to it. Our identity, our hope, and our message all flow from what Jesus did there.
Questions for the group
Read 1 Corinthians 1:18. Why do you think the same message—the cross of Christ—can feel foolish to some and powerful to others? Have you experienced either of those reactions in your own life, or in conversations with others?
In what areas of life do you most feel the tension between the world’s idea of “success” and the way of the cross? How might this passage give you courage to follow Jesus even when it feels costly or countercultural?
What are some practical ways we can keep the cross at the center of our personal faith and our life together as a church, rather than treating it as only the “starting point” of Christianity?
Navigator 4 – God’s surprising choice (1 Corinthians 1:26–31)
Your goal in this section
As the navigator for this final part, your goal is to help the group see how God’s calling overturns human ideas of status and importance (1 Corinthians 1:26–29), and to lead them to worshipful humility: boasting only in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:30–31). You want people to walk away encouraged, not ashamed, and ready to put their confidence in Christ rather than in themselves.
Remember who you were (1 Corinthians 1:26–28)
Paul reminds the believers to think about what they were like when God called them. “Not many of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you” (1 Corinthians 1:26). God intentionally chose people the world often overlooks.
He chose “the foolish things of the world to shame the wise” and “the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27). This does not mean that God never calls people with influence or education. It means that no one can claim that they were chosen because they were impressive. God’s grace is the only explanation.
Christ is everything (1 Corinthians 1:29–31)
Paul explains that God did this so that no one can boast in His presence (1 Corinthians 1:29). Our hope and our identity do not rest on our achievements, our background, or our spiritual performance. They rest on Christ.
He writes, “God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Because of this, Paul concludes with a quotation from Jeremiah 9:23–24: “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31).
Key terms made simple
These terms will help your group see how God’s grace shapes our identity and our posture before Him.
1. A different way of seeing people
In many cultures, worth is measured by education, income, success, or social influence. Paul shows that God often works in ways that run against these measures. He delights to call people who feel small, unseen, or unimpressive by worldly standards. This means no one is beyond His reach, and no one has the right to look down on others.
2. Boasting in the Lord
To “boast in the Lord” means to take our deepest joy, pride, and confidence in who God is and what He has done, not in ourselves. This does not erase healthy gratitude for gifts, but it keeps us from making those gifts the foundation of our identity. Our story becomes less about “what I achieved” and more about “what God has done in Christ.”
3. Encouragement for leaders and groups
These verses are especially encouraging for life group leaders and members who feel ordinary. God is not looking for perfect or impressive people. He is looking for people who are willing to trust Him. When a community lives this way—resting in grace and boasting in the Lord—it becomes a powerful witness to the world.
Questions for the group
Read 1 Corinthians 1:26. If you are comfortable, share a little about where you were in life when you first began to follow Jesus. How does it affect you to hear that God chose you not because you were impressive, but because He is gracious?
In 1 Corinthians 1:30, Paul says that Christ is our wisdom, our righteousness, our holiness, and our redemption. Which of these four words stands out to you the most right now, and why? How might trusting that truth change the way you face the week ahead?
Paul calls us to “boast only about the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31). In everyday terms, what might it look like to boast in the Lord at work, at home, or in church life? Are there areas where you sense God inviting you to shift your confidence from yourself to Him?
Tips for guiding a section
Move slowly through the passage. Read the verses out loud, pause, and let people notice what stands out. Give space for questions and reflections, especially from quieter voices. You do not have to answer everything. Your role is to keep turning the group back to the text and to Jesus.
When conversations drift into side topics, gently bring people back by asking, “Where do you see that in the passage?” or “How does this connect to what Paul is saying here?” Pray briefly at key moments, asking the Holy Spirit to help your group listen, understand, and respond.
Navigator leader toolkit
As a navigator, you are not expected to be an expert. Your main task is to:
- Guide the group through the passage and the questions.
- Encourage others to speak and share, not do all the talking yourself.
- Keep the conversation anchored in Scripture, not just opinions.
- Model humility, honesty, and a willingness to learn.
Before your group meets, take time to read the passage slowly, pray through the notes, and ask God to show you one or two key truths He wants to highlight for your group. Trust that He will use you as you rely on Him.
Video resources for 1 Corinthians
These videos can help give visual and narrative background to the letter of 1 Corinthians. Feel free to watch them on your own or with your group.
- Spoken Gospel — 1 Corinthians 1–2: Watch on YouTube
- The Bible Project — 1 Corinthians Overview: Watch on YouTube
Called by God (1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 1:9)
In 1 Corinthians 1:2 and 1 Corinthians 1:9, Paul says believers are “called by God.” This means that faith is not just a human decision. God has taken the initiative. He has reached out, invited, and drawn people to Himself through Christ.
This calling is not only for special leaders. It is true of every Christian. God has called each of us into a real relationship with His Son and into the shared life of His people.
Sanctified / holy people (1 Corinthians 1:2)
When Paul calls the believers “holy people” or “sanctified,” he is not saying that they are already perfect. He is saying that God has set them apart for Himself. They belong to Him now.
This is both a gift and a calling. God has declared them holy in Christ, and He is also leading them to live as His holy people in everyday life (see 1 Peter 2:9–10).
Grace (1 Corinthians 1:3–4)
“Grace” is God’s undeserved kindness and help. In 1 Corinthians 1:4, Paul thanks God for the gracious gifts He has given to the believers through Christ Jesus. Everything they have received—salvation, spiritual gifts, and new life—comes from His grace, not from their performance.
Remembering grace keeps us humble and thankful. It reminds us that we stand before God not because we are impressive, but because He is generous and merciful.
Spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 1:5–7)
When Paul says that the Corinthians “have every spiritual gift you need” (1 Corinthians 1:7), he means that God has given them abilities and strengths through the Holy Spirit to serve others and build up the church.
These gifts are signs of God’s presence, not medals of personal achievement. They are meant to be used in love, not as reasons to compete or feel superior (see 1 Corinthians 12–14).
God is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9)
In 1 Corinthians 1:9, Paul says, “God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says.” God’s faithfulness means He always keeps His promises. He does not abandon His people when they struggle or fail.
This truth is especially important in a letter that will address serious problems. The Corinthians need to know that even when God corrects them, He has not given up on them. He is committed to finishing His work in their lives.
Divisions (1 Corinthians 1:10–11)
When Paul speaks of “divisions,” he is not talking about honest differences of opinion. He is talking about groups that are breaking apart from one another, each convinced that they are right and the others are less spiritual or less faithful.
These divisions damage the witness of the church. They make it harder for people to see the love and unity that are meant to reflect Jesus. Paul calls the believers to be united in mind and purpose around Christ Himself.
United in mind and purpose (1 Corinthians 1:10)
Paul’s phrase about being “united in thought and purpose” does not mean that every believer will think or feel exactly the same about all issues. It means that at the center, they share the same devotion to Christ and the same desire to honor Him.
This kind of unity allows for different personalities and gifts, but keeps the focus on the shared mission of following Jesus and making Him known together.
“I follow Paul…” (1 Corinthians 1:12)
When some believers say, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” they are turning human leaders into markers of status and identity. Instead of seeing leaders as servants of Christ, they are using them to feel superior to others.
Paul does not want anyone’s faith to rest on a personality. Leaders are valuable, but they are not the foundation of the church. Jesus alone is the One who was crucified and who saves us.
Baptized in the name of… (1 Corinthians 1:13–15)
Baptism in the New Testament is closely connected to belonging to Christ. To be baptized in the name of Jesus is to publicly identify with Him in His death and resurrection. It is a sign that our old life is gone and our new life is found in Him.
Paul reminds the church that they were not baptized in his name or in the name of any other leader. Their first and deepest loyalty is to Christ alone, not to any human teacher or group.
Clever speech (1 Corinthians 1:17)
“Clever speech” refers to the polished, impressive speaking style that was admired in Greek culture. Paul is not saying that clear communication is bad. Instead, he is warning against trusting in style more than in the message itself.
He wants the power of the cross, not the skill of the speaker, to be what captures people’s hearts and changes their lives. This helps us remember that God often works through simple, honest words that point to Jesus.
Message of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:18)
The “message of the cross” is the good news that God has dealt with sin, death, and separation from Him through the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is not just a symbol, but a real event in history where Jesus gave His life in our place.
This message invites us to turn from self-reliance and trust fully in what Christ has done for us. It is both humbling and freeing.
Foolishness of God (1 Corinthians 1:21–25)
When Paul speaks of “the foolishness of God,” he is using strong language to show how God’s way of saving the world appears foolish to human thinking. Of course, God is not actually foolish. The point is that His wisdom is so different from ours that it can look upside-down at first.
The cross is the clearest example. What looked like weakness and defeat became the very way God brought forgiveness and new life to the world.
Stumbling block (1 Corinthians 1:23)
A “stumbling block” is something that causes people to trip or fall. For some, the idea of a crucified Messiah was deeply offensive. They expected a strong political ruler or a clear sign of power, not a Savior who suffered and died.
The cross still challenges our expectations today. It confronts our pride and our desire for control, calling us to trust a God who saves through self-giving love.
Christ the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24)
Paul declares that Christ Himself is the power and wisdom of God. This means that if we want to know what God is really like and how He really works, we should look at Jesus—especially at His cross and resurrection.
In Christ, God’s power is shown not in crushing His enemies, but in bearing our sin and breaking the power of death. God’s wisdom is shown not in human pride, but in humble, sacrificial love.
God’s call and our background (1 Corinthians 1:26)
When Paul says that not many were “wise” or “powerful” or “wealthy” when God called them, he is reminding the believers that their value does not come from social status or human approval. God did not wait for them to become impressive before He loved them.
This helps us resist the lie that we are only useful to God if we are strong, successful, or put-together. He often delights to work through people the world overlooks.
Shaming the wise and strong (1 Corinthians 1:27–28)
Paul says that God uses what seems weak and foolish to “shame” what seems wise and strong. This does not mean God enjoys embarrassing people. It means that He overturns human pride. He shows that true strength and wisdom belong to Him, not to us.
The cross is the clearest example: God brings salvation to the world through what looked like defeat. In the end, no one will be able to boast that they saved themselves or earned God’s favor.
United with Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30)
Paul says that God has “united you with Christ Jesus.” This means that, by faith, believers are joined to Christ in such a deep way that His story becomes the foundation of their story. His righteousness, holiness, and redemption are counted as theirs.
This union with Christ is at the heart of the Christian life. It gives us a new identity and a new source of strength for daily living (see Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:1–4).
Boast in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:31)
To “boast in the Lord” means to speak with joy and gratitude about who God is and what He has done, rather than boasting about ourselves. It is a way of directing attention and praise back to Him.
This does not mean we never mention our achievements or joys. It means we recognize that every good thing is a gift of grace, and we ultimately give credit and glory to God (see Jeremiah 9:23–24).
Seeing how God sees us
Read 1 Corinthians 1:1–3 again. How does Paul describe the believers in Corinth? Take a moment to put those descriptions into your own words. What difference might it make in your life if you really believed that God sees you in this way?
Listing God’s work
Look at 1 Corinthians 1:4–9. Make a list of everything Paul says God has done for the Corinthians. Which of those truths feels most encouraging to you right now, and why do you think that is?
Why start with grace?
Think about a time when someone corrected you in a way that felt harsh or discouraging. Now think about a time when someone began with encouragement and then spoke honestly about something that needed to change. How does Paul’s example in 1 Corinthians 1:4–9 shape the way you might speak to others in your family, friendships, or church?
Where division starts
Read 1 Corinthians 1:10–11. What kinds of issues or differences most often cause tension among Christians today? Are there any examples you have seen up close? How might Paul’s words guide us in those situations?
“I follow…” today
Think about the Christian voices you most appreciate (teachers, authors, worship leaders, churches, or movements). How can we be thankful for these gifts without turning them into badges of identity or sources of pride? What signs might show that we have crossed that line?
Keeping the cross at the center
In what practical ways can your group, your ministry team, or your church keep the cross of Christ central? Are there habits or rhythms (for example, how you pray, what you sing, how you tell stories) that could help keep the focus on Jesus rather than on preference or personality?
Different reactions to the cross
Read 1 Corinthians 1:18 again. When you first heard about Jesus’ death on the cross, how did it strike you? Has your understanding of the cross changed over time? If so, what has helped that change happen?
God’s wisdom and our expectations
Where in your life do you feel pressure to live by the world’s idea of success or strength? How might the message of the cross invite you to trust God and make a different choice, even if it looks weak or foolish to others?
Keeping the cross central
Think about your own walk with Jesus. Are there ways that the cross has moved to the edges of your attention, while other concerns have taken center stage? What might it look like to bring the cross back to the center in this season of your life?
Remembering our story
Read 1 Corinthians 1:26. If you are comfortable, share a little about where you were in life when you first began to follow Jesus. How does it affect you to hear that God chose you not because you were impressive, but because He is gracious?
Where we place our confidence
In 1 Corinthians 1:30, Paul says that Christ is our wisdom, our righteousness, our holiness, and our redemption. Which of these four words stands out to you the most right now, and why? How might trusting that truth change the way you face the week ahead?
Boasting in the Lord
Paul calls us to “boast only about the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31). In everyday terms, what might it look like to boast in the Lord at work, at home, or in church life? Are there areas where you sense God inviting you to shift your confidence from yourself to Him?
