First Corinthians - Practical Application to Christian Life Challenges
Date: 12th, 19th, 26th August & 2nd, 16th, 23rd, 30th September 2009
Time: 8.30pm to 10.00pm
Venue: Main Sanctuary,Charis Christian Centre
Facilitator: Rev. Simon Cheong
First Corinthians was written to a church rocked by divisions, with great cracks developing over worldly issues and a misunderstanding of what constituted spirituality. Paul's beloved church had become worldly, self-glorifying and immoral. Thus Paul wrote this inspired letter, addressing many of the issues that are still relevant for the church today.
The basic theme is the application of Christian principles to carnality, in the individual as well as in the church. The cross is designed to transform lives and make them different people as a corporate Body for the world. All of the challenges discussed are evidence of a lack of spirituality, the essence of which is compassion i.e. love.
Facilitator: Rev. Simon Cheong
Dean of Students, AOIC. Worships and serves in Grace Assembly. Served as a pastor in East Malaysia and has been involved in teaching and pastoral ministries for many years. An ordained minister with the Assemblies of God of Malaysia. Graduate of TCA College, Singapore. Currently pursuing DMin in Leadership in TCA College, Singapore (Partnership with University of Wales, Bangor).
Basic Course Outline
1. The challenge of Divisions
• What is the corporate personality of the church?
2. The challenge of Worldly Wisdom
• What example should the Christians of Corinth follow?
3. The challenge of Church Leadership?
• What are some characteristics of effective leadership?
4. The challenge of Unethical Conduct
• Why is immoral behavior dishonoring Christ and others?
5. The challenge of Marriage and Celibacy
• How does the questions about marriage and celibacy in the Corinthian church relate to the church today?
6. The challenge of Idolatry
• How is freedom in Christ and responsibility to another believer exercised in the issue of food/meat offered to idols?
7. The challenge to the Lord’s Supper
• In what way (s) were the Corinthian believers taking the Lord’s Supper in an ‘unworthy manner’ ? What are some questions today?
8. The challenge of Spiritual Gifts and Disorder in Worship
• Is there an overemphasis of one gift over another like the Corinthian believers in the church today? Or are we stifling the dynamic move of the Holy Spirit?
9. The challenge to the resurrection
• Are Christians today discounting the resurrection altogether like some Corinthians? Why and what did Paul emphasize?
