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 16:1-14, focus on verses 13 and 14 for this Sunday.What connection does 13-14 have with the previous verses if any? How can you tell?
• These are direct commands by Paul in verses 13 and 14. What would be his motivation from the context of the letter to issues commands as found in verse 13?
• What is the focus of the commands in this verse?
• Reading verse 14 in the context of the entire letter of 1 Corinthians gives direct insight into specifics Paul has in mind for "all that you do." Verse 14 reminds quickly of 1 Corinthians 13 regarding love. Recall chapters 1-12 to review how the Corinthians were behaving toward one-another.
• 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

• Read all of 1 Corinthians. Review the issues that have comprised this church. How do these commands reflect on all of those issues? What is Paul focusing on here?
• Meditate on each of the commands in these two verses and how Paul was directing these to the church at Corinth. How do these apply to the church at Summit Woods?
• How do you compare yourself to these commands? What standard are you using to evaluate yourself? Evaluate others?
• Read Matthew 22:34-40. Read 1 Corinthians 13. How do you love others? How would you explain what our Maker and Redeemer is expecting of us to do in love for one another? How do you hold up to that standard?