The Corinthian Christians did not contain only the elite of society.  What can we say about a religion that appeals to the poor, the disenfranchised or the unlearned?  I think that the character of a god who appeals to the lowly and the despised is one of compassion.  God then attacks elitism.  The myth that things of value can only come to those with an education, money, or power is exploded.  Paul does say that there are deeper truths within Christianity that are found by those who pursue God earnestly.  The joy is that our God allows anyone from any position to start the quest.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

²⁶Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Questions

1. What three things were uncommon qualities among the Corinthians when they were converted?
2. What three adjectives does Paul use to describe the Corinthians?
3. What does the condition of the Corinthians before they were converted reveal about God?
4. Related to other people are you foolish, weak, or lowly?  How is that potentially positive?
5. Why does our culture shape us into self-made men and women?  How does this undermine the gospel?

Going Deeper

Observation (Questions to answer by looking at a Bible)

1. How many were wise, influential, or noble?
2. Who does the choosing in this passage?
3. Why did God choose lowly people (two reasons)?
4. What four things does Jesus become for those who experience him?
5. In what ways should Christians be boastful?

Interpretation (Questions that we may not be able to fully answer)

1. Why should the Corithians remember where they came from?
2. How might Corinthians have forgotten their past?  What might they have become?
3. How might some wise, noble and influential people have set up a way of life in Corinth?
4. Why is Paul reminding the Corinthians of how stupid, wimpy, and insignificant they are?
5. How does Jesus’ significance fill up where people lack?

Application (So what does this mean to my life?)

1. How can you forget where you have come from?
2. How does your pride make you feel when someone points out that you are naturally foolish, weak, and lowly?
3. What has God done in your life that you naturally boast about?
4. Who do you credit with your becoming a Christian – you or God?  How does that affect you?
5. How important are righteousness, holiness, and redemption to you?  How is your family developing the value of these things higher than hard work, financial security, and leisure?