1 Corinthians 3: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 1 Corinthians 3 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Paul identifies the Corinthians as fleshly and immature in their faith (vv. 1-3). They act like babies in Christ, showing jealousy and strife among themselves.

Key verse

“So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.”
1 Corinthians 3:7 (WEB)

Outline

1 Corinthians 3:1–4 Addressing Spiritual Immaturity
1 Corinthians 3:5–9 Servants of God
1 Corinthians 3:10–15 Building on the Foundation
1 Corinthians 3:16–20 The Church as God's Temple
1 Corinthians 3:21–23 Belonging to Christ

Discussion questions

In v3, what evidence does Paul give for the Corinthians being 'fleshly'?
What metaphor does Paul use in v9 when describing the believers' relationship with God?
Paul's statement in v11 about the foundation: what implications does it have for church leadership?
In v15, why does Paul mention that a man's work may be burned while he himself is saved?
When have you seen divisions in your community, like the 'jealousy' and 'strife' in v3?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 1 Corinthians 3: 1 Corinthians 6, 2 Corinthians 6, Proverbs 3.

Before next time: read 1 Corinthians 4.