1 Corinthians 6:1-11

There are matters where we must trust the judgment of the church more than the judgment of the world.

1. What’s the problem? (vv. 1, 6)

2. Why is it a problem? (vv. 2-8)

3. A warning (vv. 9-11)

Discussion Questions

1. Read 1 Corinthians 6:1-11. What do you think is the main point of this passage?

2. Paul believed that a local church should judge disputes between members. This requires a certain submission to a local church, even when we disagree with the church. What do you think about the church playing this role in your life?

3. Do you think that today most people leave their local church when there is conflict rather than seek to submit to the church’s judgment? Why? What do we miss out on as believers when we have this attitude toward a church?

4. Consider Genesis 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:2-4, 1 Timothy 2:12, and Daniel 7:21. Have you thought about what it means that you will reign with Christ? Tell the story of the gospel through the theme of reigning over the earth as God’s image bearers. What are the practical implications of this gospel?

5. Consider 1 Corinthians 6:7 and Proverbs 19:11. Why is it difficult to overlook an offense? Why is it better to suffer wrong and be defrauded than to take a brother or sister that has wronged you to civil court? What does 1 Corinthians 15:19 have to do with suffering wrong?

6. The church will sometimes judge wrongly. So why should we trust the church to judge? Why should we submit to a church even though the church’s authority is flawed?

7. Consider 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. Do you ever have trouble squaring passages like this with Ephesians 2:8? Why or why not?

8. How is God calling you to respond to this message on 1 Corinthians 6:1-11?