Preparing for the Sermon - 1 Cor 16:1-4

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

• Read 1 Corinthians 16:1-4. What is the topic of this passage? Basically, what is the author asking of his audience? Who does he cite as an example of what he is asking of this audience?
• How would you describe vs. 2 in your own words? When was this to take place? What could have been the author’s reason for instructing them to set something aside on this day of the week, instead of collecting it all when he arrived? What significance does this day of the week hold?
• Who is this collection intended for and why? (Acts 11:27-30 gives a possible reason) What assurance does the author give that the gift will make it to them?
• 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

• Considering the preceding chapters and the issues the author has addressed with this church, why do you think he sensed it important to ask this of his original readers?
• How do you view the first day of the week in relation to its reference in this passage? What would be the significance of setting a portion of one’s own provision aside for the needs of others, specifically on this day of the week?
• What was to be the extent of their giving? How do you employ this principle in your giving?
• How do you think the original readers would have been assured by the author’s instruction for accountability? Have you previously seen negative affects of a lack of accountability in a church? If so, how did that affect your giving?