Additional Notes:
Week of January 17, 2016
“Strive to Excel in Building Up the Church”
1 Corinthians 14:6-19
Sermon Notes:
Life Group Prayer Requests:
These questions are meant for both individual study and Life Group discussion. Take the
time to thoughtfully answer the questions for yourself in advance, then share your
answers with your Life Group and challenge each other with discussion.
How are the effects of indistinct sounds from musical instruments similar
to the effects of speaking in tongues without the benefit of clear
communication?
Scripture Memory Verse of the Week
So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the
Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
1 Corinthians 14:1
Open. When have you been in a situation where a language barrier
significantly hindered communication? If you were able to overcome it,
how did you do it?
Study. Read 1 Corinthians 14:6-19
Definitions:
The Gift of Speaking in Other Tongues:
“The Spirit-enabled capacity to speak in a language that the speaker
has not learned and does not understand, for the purpose of more
intimate prayer, praise, and thanksgiving, to the primary spiritual
benefit of the speaker and, when interpreted, to the spiritual benefit of
others who hear.”
The Gift of Prophesying:
“The Spirit enabled capacity to deliver a clear word from God that is
inspired by the Spirit, in order to build up, encourage and console an
individual believer or the entire church.”
Reviewing verses 1-5 of chapter 14, what makes the one who
prophesies greater than the one who speaks in tongues? What is the
equalizer?
With what question does Paul transition into the next movement of his
thought in verse 6? What point is he making?
How does encountering a language barrier provide a fitting parallel to
speaking in tongues without providing additional, intelligible
communication?
What does Paul believe are the essential ingredients for building up the
church?
What does that mean, then for the person who speaks in a tongue in
church?
What fact about praying in tongues does Paul reveal in verse 13? Why is
this important to his overall discussion in this section?
In verses 15-17, what is Paul’s general solution for balanced expression in
church?
In verses 18-19, what overarching value or priority does Paul assert for
what is communicated, and how it is communicated, when the church
gathers? Why?
Besides speaking in tongues, what are some other ways that Christians
communicate in church that may be unintelligible or confusing to
unbelievers or to those who are young in their spiritual growth?
What does the priority of intelligibility require of those who preach? Of
those who teach and counsel children and youth? Of believers engaging
in everyday personal conversations of a spiritual nature?