“Love Is Patient”
Click below to download the Cornerstone Connections leader’s guide and student lesson. This week’s resources also include two lesson plans and a discussion starter video which offer different ways of looking at the topic. Each lesson plan includes opening activities, scripture passages, discussion questions, and real-life applications.
1 Corinthians 1-16
2 Corinthians 1-13
We all desire to love and to be loved. But how do we remain sexually pure in a world that doesn’t see love the way God sees it?
SCRIPTURE PASSAGES
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
1 Corinthians 3:5-16
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
1 Corinthians 11:23-33
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
OVERVIEW
The letters written to the Corinthians are full of Biblical principles to guide one’s life. These two books contain concrete guidance on a variety of issues that affect many parts of our daily life. Unfortunately, along the way some of these principles become a little difficult to understand without looking at the context in which they were written, and also other passages of scripture. This lesson will focus on a few passages that will help us as we navigate through different stages of our lives and spiritual journeys.
OPENING ACTIVITY:
GROUP STORYTELLING
QUESTIONS
TRANSITION
What are some of the most difficult situations that Christians deal with these days? Do you think the Bible has answers to those questions? The letters to the Corinthians give lots of principles to help us deal with life’s constant dilemmas and challenges.
BIBLE STUDY GUIDE
Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
QUESTIONS
Read 1 Corinthians 3:5-16.
5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?
QUESTIONS
Read 1 Corinthians 5:9-13.
9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”
QUESTIONS
Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-33.
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.
33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together.
QUESTIONS
Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.
1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
QUESTIONS
APPLICATION
One of the main thrusts of the letters to the Corinthians is that Christ is central to the Gospel. Through knowing Christ, we will live a life of kindness, gentleness, and Christian love. In addition, Paul explains that it isn’t important who taught you about Jesus or who baptized you. What is important is that you continue to grow in your relationship with Jesus and allow Him to change your life. In addition, being part of a healthy church community will give you a group of people with similar beliefs that will help you when times are difficult. These two books share many principles that help guide one into a vibrant life with Jesus and prepare one for the soon coming of Jesus.
FOLLOW UP
After each reading, write down a sentence or two of thoughts about what God is trying to tell you and how to apply it to your daily life.
SCRIPTURE PASSAGE
LEADER’S NOTE
For a Relational Bible Study (RBS) you’ll want to get into the Scripture passage and encourage the youth to imagine participating in the story while it’s happening. Then you will be able to better apply it to your own situation today.
You will need to ask God for the Holy Spirit to be present as your small group discusses the questions (no more than 3-6 people in a group is recommended). Start with the opening question. It is a personal question and the answer is unique for each individual. There is no right answer and nobody is an expert here, so don’t be surprised when you hear different responses. You are depending on the Holy Spirit to be present and to speak through your group. Say what God prompts you to say, and listen to what others share.
Take turns reading the chapter out loud. Follow that with giving the students some time to individually mark their responses to the questions (a PDF version of the handout is available as a download). This gives each person a starting point for responding when you start to share as a group. Next, begin the discussion by asking the students to share what they marked and why on each question as you work your way through. Feel free to take more time on some questions than others as discussion warrants.
Encourage each person in the group to apply what is discussed to their personal lives and to share with the group what they believe God wants them to do. Then ask them to pray that God will help each of them to follow through in doing so. Remind them to expect that God will show them ways to live out the message of this passage in the coming week, and that they are free to ask others in the group to help hold them accountable.
OVERVIEW
This week’s lesson covers 1 Corinthians (16 chapters) and 2 Corinthians (13 chapters). In order to cover 29 chapters in one week we have to step back and get a basic overview. Relational Bible Studies typically take about one chapter and the small group relies on the Holy Spirit to communicate God’s truth for the group at that time and place.
Paul’s two letters to the newly formed Christian church in Corinth tell us quite a bit. Acts 18 describes how Paul started the Corinthian church on his second missionary journey. Seaport cities typically have a reputation for being somewhat immoral, and Corinth matched that. The pagan temple had more than 1,000 female and male prostitutes to aid in “worship.” Would the Christian church in that city resemble the same thing or stand out in contrast to it? We can ask the same kind of question about your church today—is it like your community or different from your community?
For our RBS this week, we offer two different studies. Option A deals with possibly the best-known chapter in these two books—“The Love Chapter”—1 Corinthians 13.
“Love”
Finish this sentence at least three different ways: “I love __________.”
Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.
1If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1. What are people likely to make more important than love?
2. What are religious people likely to make more important than love?
3. What is love?
4. What childish things have you put away now you’re no longer a child?
5. What’s something you won’t see clearly until you see Jesus face-to-face?
6. What makes “faith” and “hope” mentioned with love?
7. What do you consider to be the important elements of love?
8. Where have you seen or experienced 1 Corinthians 13 love?
SUMMARY
Love is vital, real, often missing, a principle, a practice, and definitely the way to go. Encourage the youth to highlight verses in 1 Corinthians 13 that are important to them, and to refer back to them periodically. Let these verses wash over them, and then be refreshed by them later. While “love” may be an instant feeling from infatuation, or “love” might be the loyalty of friendship or family over time, God’s love for us and the love He wants to live through us is supernatural. We can only get this “love” from God, and we can only give it after we have received it from Him.
APPLICATION
Use one or both of these, or let them spark ideas for your group to live out God’s message to them through Scripture this week.
The English word “Love” can mean so many different things. The Greek language has multiple words translated into English as “love.” Looking at these Greek words can help us better understand this rich word, and maybe not confuse one type of love with another. The two Greek words in the New Testament translated as “love” are phileo (close friendship, as with Jesus and Lazarus in John 11:3 “Lord, the one you love is sick.”) and agape (unconditional and unselfish commitment, as in Ephesians 3:17-19 “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”).
This week the Cornerstone Connections lesson covered 29 chapters including 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians. We didn’t have time to cover all of that in Sabbath School.
Having an accountability partner can help you follow through with this.