Prepare your heart for the Sermon by looking through these suggestions that will assist you in making the most of our time together hearing God's Word.

You will find suggestions for thinking more critically through the passage, meditating more intently on the text, and prayerfully seeking wisdom to deepen your understanding of the passage to be preached this Sunday.

Carefully Think

• This Sunday we begin 1 Corinthians 12. Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-3 to prepare for the sermon this Sunday. If you can read two chapters per day take time to review what has been covered and where we are in the letter as a whole.
• Chapter 12 in the ESV starts with “now concerning”. Look back through the previous chapters for this verbal indicator. What does it indicate in this letter? What is the topic changed to? Is a different topic or does it continue another theme?
• Paul states the Corinthians are “uninformed”, so he is going to help them “understand”. What is this in regards to? Is this an encouragement or an admonishment?
• In verse three what is Paul clarifying the Corinthians are doing? What does he mean by the Spirit of God and the Holy Spirit? Are these the same or is there a difference? Why the different language? 
• Who and why would someone say “Jesus is accursed!”? Who and why would someone say “Jesus is Lord”? What are the Corinthians meaning with these phrases Paul is quoting? How does all of this relate to spiritual gifts in verse 1?
• The Sermon Study equipping class notes are available online for anyone wanting to dig deeper. Please review this week's notes to help study this passage. Click here for the notes.

Prayerfully Meditate

• What do you think of when you hear the terms “spiritual gifts”? What is the this passage informing you on “spiritual gifts”?
• Can an unbeliever physically say, “Jesus is Lord”? Can a believer physically say, “Jesus is accursed”? What is the core issue behind these statements, a statement or a heart attitude?
• Have you or are you currently following idols? Paul indicates that following them involves being led astray. How would you know if you are being led astray into idolatry? What can you do to prevent this?
• What do you profess and who would be able to authenticate your words? With what can they authenticate the words in your life? Empty words or a life full of obedience to Jesus who is Lord over your life?