Easy2Use session: In it to win it?
- Extra material for the Bible section -
1. If you think your group can manage it, read the whole of 1 Corinthians chapter 9, perhaps asking them to take it in turns to read. They will need to pay attention because once it’s been read out they need to try and sum up what they think Paul is trying to say.
- In this chapter, Paul explains how he has every right to expect payment for the work that he is doing spreading the gospel of Jesus – but he does not use that right. Instead he does it all for free. According to Paul, it is his way of reaching more people. He will do whatever it takes to reach someone so that he can save as many as possible. For him, this is more important than money. -
Questions for discussion:
a. What are your priorities? Make a list of the things that matter to you the most.
b. How important to you is spreading the gospel?
c. What do you think that means? Does it take into account every aspect of life?
2. The whole letter of 1 Corinthians is written by Paul to a church that is struggling to get along. There are different groups claiming different things, each following different individuals and as a result the community has become fractured by arguments and selfishness. By the time that Paul gets to chapter 9 he has already been pretty critical of the church at Corinth. The first readers of this letter must have been feeling some fairly strong emotions; perhaps anger or embarrassment or frustration. Then Paul starts to talk about whether he should expect to get paid for his ministry or not. He could expect it, he claims. But he doesn’t want to. He wants to push himself to be the best for Jesus that he could possibly be. Anyone could do something good if they got paid for it. Paul wants to do something good without getting paid. He wants to break the Corinthians cycle of selfishness with an example of sacrifice.
Questions for discussion:
a. Imagine you were part of that church at Corinth. How do you think you would have felt hearing these words from Paul?
b. Can you think of a part of your life where you are being selfish? For example, is there something you do to help someone else – but only because you get something in return for it?
3. Paul’s desire to run in such a way as to win the prize involved him staying in the race for the long-haul. But it also required him to push himself, to work hard and to sacrifice. This sacrifice is not for the glory of being able to say ‘I won!’ It is for the glory of being able to say ‘the world has been transformed because I was prepared to follow Jesus’ example; of giving my life for the last, the least and the lost.’
Now would be a good time to move onto the Reflection in the Easy2Use pull-out.