Chapter Summary

Judgment of Christ's servants not committed to man. Apostolic example of patience and humility.

Discussion Questions for 1 Corinthians, Chapter 4

1. How does the concept of stewardship apply to our daily lives today? What specific things has God given you to manage for His glory and for the good of other people? How are you using those today?
2. How does Paul teach us to guard against fear of man in this passage? Why can our need for others' approval be so debilitating? How do you personally guard against making decisions based on how you think others will view you?
3. Why does Paul use rhetorical questions to drive a point home? How effective is this method? What are some ways that personally evaluate your spiritual journey?
4. What are the particular dangers of pride within the church? How does pride specifically impact spiritual leaders, and corrupt their decision making? What role can you play in keeping leaders accountable to be humble?
5. Considering the long list of suffering Paul has endured, how does this strengthen his status as a humble and caring leader? What is the relationship between suffering and humility? How has suffering that you have endured caused you to be more humble in a particular area?
6. What does it mean to imitate spiritual leaders like Paul? How does this reflect the heart of God for discipleship? What does it mean to you to be worthy of being followed by others?
7. Why is it important to have a spiritual "parent" like Paul was to the Corinthians? How does this underscore the role that mature believers should play in the life of the church as a whole? Depending on your spiritual maturity level, who are you investing in as a spiritual parent, and how are you seeing them follow your example?
8. Why is Paul's consistency in verse 17 so important? How does this level of integrity grow his influence amongst this church? In what areas of integrity do you need to grow for the sake of others who are watching you?
9. Who is a person that you look up to today as a spiritual role model? How could you encourage them and share with them your gratitude for their example in your life?
10. Why does Paul speak so harshly of himself and the other apostles in verse 13? How does the world's treatment of the apostles, like the treatment of Jesus, reveal what we should expect in our own lives? What is one example of a time that you were mistreated by the world because of your witness to Christ, and how did you respond?

Key Words/Phrase

v. 3.

Characters

God, Christ, Paul, Apollos, Timothy.

Strong Verse(s)

2, 5, 20.