Navigating the Messy Reality of Christian Community Together
Life among believers offers immense joy, yet it often brings unexpected friction and sometimes exasperating debate. If your heart aches for unity amidst disagreements over worship or spiritual gifts, you are not alone; the early church faced these very same conflicts. In this 13-session LifeGuide® Bible Study, authors Paul Stevens and Dan Williams invite you to examine the honest, unpolished portrait of the Corinthian church-a Christian community that mirrors many of our own modern struggles. By engaging with the text of 1 Corinthians, you will see that the division facing the first believers is little different from what we navigate today, offering a comforting reminder that perfection is not a prerequisite for grace.
Designed as a group resource, this guide moves beyond surface-level answers to explore how the gospel heals deep-seated division. As you journey through 1 Corinthians, your group will uncover wisdom for resolving conflict, relinquishing rights for the sake of others, and rediscovering the love that binds the body of Christ together. This study offers the wisdom needed to transform the difficult challenges of life together into opportunities for spiritual growth and lasting unity.
LifeGuide Bible studies feature:
- A guide to getting the most out of the study, including suggestions for how to participate in individual or group study.
- Leader's notes for preparation and leading a group through the study.
- "Now or Later" section following each session to help you act on what you learn.
- Trustworthy biblical wisdom from experienced authors.
About LifeGuide Bible Studies
Presented in a convenient workbook format and featuring the inductive Bible study approach, LifeGuide Bible Studies are thoroughly field-tested prior to publication. They are proven and popular guides for digging into Scripture on your own or with a small group.
For over 30 years, LifeGuide Bible Studies have been your trusted companion for thoughtful, Scripture-based exploration, helping individuals and groups engage deeply with God's Word. With over 15 million copies sold, this beloved series has guided countless Christians through books of the Bible and meaningful topics, offering timeless insights and practical application.
Autorentext
Williams serves as pastor of New Life Community Church in Burnaby, British Columbia, and as administrator of the Equippers, a lay training network.
R. Paul Stevens is professor emeritus of marketplace theology and leadership at Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia, and a marketplace ministry mentor. He has worked as a carpenter and businessman, and served as the pastor of an inner-city church in Montreal. He has written many books and Bible studies, including Doing God's Business, Work Matters, Marriage Spirituality, The Other Six Days and Spiritual Gifts. He is coauthor (with Pete Hammond and Todd Svanoe) of The Marketplace Annotated Bibliography.
Klappentext
Life among Christians can be great. But it can also be exasperating!The joys of fellowship in Christ too often give way to division and debate. You may find yourself drawn into arguments over such things as the correct form of worship or the proper role of charismatic gifts. Perhaps you wonder, Why don't we get along together as we should? Or How can we recapture the unity of the early church?Surprisingly, the first Christian believers didn't always live in harmony either! As Paul Stevens and Dan Williams lead you through this thirteen-session LifeGuide Bible Study on 1 Corinthians, you will see that the issues facing the Corinthian church are little different from the ones your church struggles with year after year. Here in 1 Corinthians is a portrait of Christian community not as it was meant to be, but as it often really is. But here too is practical advice for overcoming the challenges of life together. For over three decades LifeGuide Bible Studies have provided solid biblical content and raised thought-provoking questions-making for a one-of-a-kind Bible study experience for individuals and groups. This series has more than 130 titles on Old and New Testament books, character studies, and topical studies.