Begin this lesson with a reading of the text. The initial points made in the lesson will come from this reading. It is important that you realize the observations are not speculation, but an unfolding of scripture itself.
One of Paul’s favorite analogies in his writings is that of the human body. He frequently used this illustration. Paul used the same illustration to apply his point in Romans 12:3-8. Paul made reference to the body in 1 Corinthians 10:17; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 2:16; 4:4, 14-16; and Colossians 2:19, 3:15. Paul even declared all Christians become a part of Christ’s body through baptism (Romans 6:3-11; 1 Corinthians 12:13). He declared the Christian’s body becomes God’s temple (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20). Thus that which housed evil became God’s house. The writer of Hebrews said no matter the circumstance of the individual Christian, the person in Christ is still a part of the body (Hebrews 13:3).
In Paul’s extended analogy in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, note these points:
1. Just as a person’s physical body is composed of many parts, the same is true of Christ’s body (those in Christ are parts who compose Christ’s body).
2. Everyone who is a Christian (regardless of lineage, heritage, or circumstance) is nourished by the same spiritual food.
3. Because one member of Christ’s body cannot function in the way another member of Christ’s body functions does NOT mean they do not need each other or are not needed by the body.
4. In the first-century church, God decided (ultimately) what role in the body each person served.
5. The divine intention was to produce a BODY and not merely ONE PART of a body that served a single function.
6. A body has multiple functions, but a body part many have a restricted function.
7. The objective of body parts is to function for the preservation of the body, not to reject each other because all body parts do not have the same function.
8. Some body parts have high profile—“publicly appreciated”—functions, and some body parts have low profile—“not-to-be-openly-talked-about”—functions.
9. There is no place in Christ’s body for one part to arrogantly claim superiority because “my” function is more important—and honorable—than “your” function.
10. The point is not what others say of how you serve, but what does God say of how you serve.
11. God never intended for all Christians to serve Him in the same capacity by doing the same thing.
12. Showing love is more valued by God than a “showy and obvious” spiritual gift.
Following will be some observations you are challenged to consider.
Observation one: Individual Christians must consider God’s objectives through the church collectively and through Christ as being more important than their personal desires. (1) It is simple to substitute a personal desire for an objective of God. We can want something so badly (that of itself may appear to be good) that we can assume it is God’s objective. (2) It is easy to assume that if “we” want it, God must want and value “our” objective. God’s objectives are to be discovered through scripture, not assumed by human beings. Because “I” value something does not automatically mean God values the same thing. (3) Example: people often emphasize the dramatically obvious (such as miracles, healings, or tongues) while God values demonstrating love. Are you not glad (in your own life) that God values demonstrating love? Where would you be if divine love did not produce forgiveness, mercy, and grace? Do you realize that forgiveness is rarely dramatic? Showing love is more difficult and demanding than showing power.
Observation two: Serving God’s purpose may have little to do with what you personally would prefer to do. The idea that serving God’s purposes is pleasurable should be dispelled by a number of biblical people. Consider just a few. Consider Moses by reading Exodus 3-4:17 and Exodus 5:15-23. Consider Jeremiah by reading Jeremiah 20:17-18 and 38:1-10. Consider Jesus in Matthew 26:36-44. Consider Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:22-23 and 2 Timothy 4:7-18. It is amazing how often people do not find fulfillment in what they can do well. Why do we assume, “If I can do it, anyone can do it. I wish to do something others cannot do!”
Observation three: Today in the American society, the praise of God is so performance based in the Sunday morning assembly, that many do not feel “important” unless they have a high profile role in the Sunday morning worship assembly. The object of worship is the praise of God, not the demonstration of personal ability. In Paul’s body analogy, service to God occurs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are no restrictions or time limitations on showing love to others and meeting the needs of others. The object of serving God is NOT impressing people. True, you wish to be an example whose involvements encourage people, but you do not seek to impress them with you but with the God who enables you (consider Matthew 5:16). The Christian serves God’s objectives because he or she is impressed with God, not the praise of people. Christians do “it” for God. They serve Him in love of Him. They serve others because, of first importance, they love Him.
Observation four: The overriding concern of Christians is the well-being of Christ’s body because God’s work and values are evident in that body. The collective influence of Christians is the fact that God is at work in them to achieve His eternal objectives.
For Thought and Discussion
1. How does this lesson begin? Why did it begin in this way? Did you?
2. What was one of Paul’s favorite analogies?
3. What did the writer of the book of Hebrews declare in 13:3?
4. State the 12 points from 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 listed in this lesson.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
11)
12)
5. What was observation one?
6. What was observation two?
7. What was observation three?
8. What was observation four?
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 6