1 Corinthians 11

Objectives

• Students will recognize that their freedom in Christ does not allow them to do that which is offensive.
• Students will consider how they conduct themselves during times of fellowship and determine to act in a loving way towards everyone.
• Students will recognize communion as an ordinance and determine to participate by first examining oneself.

Opening

• What are some of the common courtesies that were part of society twenty years ago?
• What common courtesies are part of society now?
  • Note: Be careful here, there may be people who will say that no common courtesies exist today because they are stuck in the good ole-days. Don't let the conversation deteriorate into this. In fact, there are still common courtesies, but the courtesies have changed.

Main Body

The opening Salvo

• What does Paul call on the people to do in verse 1?
  • To imitate him.
• What is it that Paul is doing that deserves imitation?
  • Imitating Christ.

Freedom to Serve Not Freedom to Offend (2-16)

In Corinth the expectation was that a women had her head covered. In particular, as I understand it, uncovering one's head was a symbol of availability. By worshipping with their heads uncovered women would have been proclaiming that they were single and available for a sexual encounter. Paul wants nothing to do with this.

Theological Arguments

• What theological argument does Paul make regarding gender roles int he church?
  • Paul argues that just at Christ and God have different roles so do women and men.
• How does the theological argument address those who might argue that women are inferior to men?
  • Christ is not inferior to God, but rather Christ has a different role than God.

Argument from Shame

• What argument from shame does Paul use?

Argument from Honor

• What argument from honor does Paul use?

Argument from Nature

• What argument from nature does Paul use?
  • There are obvious physical differences between men and women. These physical differences mean that God has distinguished men and women.

Argument for Equality

Remember that Paul has already taken a very forward view on women in the church in previous chapters. Here Paul is careful to show that despite his forward view, there are still important differences and these differences must be honored. In verses 12 and 13 Paul again highlights the fact that each sees the other. In terms of worth and value both men and women are on equal footing. In terms of responsibilities, some responsibilities have been relegated to men and other to women.

The Lord's Supper (17-34)

Problems (17-22)

• What problems were occurring during the church's observation of the Lord's Supper?
  • Divisions
  • Selfishness
  • Gluttony
  • Drunkenness

The Purpose (23-26)

In contrast to the many problems the Corinthians had with the Lord's Supper, Paul wanted them to instead understand the purpose of the Lord's Supper.

• According to verses 23-25, what purpose does the Lord's supper serve?
  • As a constant reminder about the sacrifice of Christ.
• According to verse 26, what other purpose does the Lord's Supper serve?
  • Proclamation.

The Warning (27-32)

• What warning is given in verses 27-32?
  • Do not partake unworthily.

The Response (33-34)

The Lord's supper should be a time of great unity and celebration of Christ.

Closing

• How should the church view gender roles?