What Can I Do?, 1 Corinthians 8:1–11:34

In our travels this summer, I am visiting other Explore the Bible classes to hear and learn from other Bible teachers. This past Sunday, the teacher covered 1 Cor 7 as an expository preacher might present it from a pulpit. Class members wanted to participate, but there was never an opportunity. As a visitor I didn't say anything and I don't know if the teacher was seminary trained or not.

A teacher friend of mine doesn't like class members making comments during a lesson. His belief is they are unprepared and their comments turn into the blind leading the blind. I have trouble with this since learning, I believe, comes from hearing, seeing and participating. Seems like there is an appropriate balance, but maybe not. If you can deliver spellbinding lectures that transform lives then by all means continue doing it.

Gary Payne faithfully posted his slides for this week's lesson, "What Can I Do?" from 1 Corinthians 8:1–11:34.

PPT slides for, "What should I do?" 1 Corinthians 7:1-40

Gary Payne posted his PowerPoint slides for this week's lesson.

Co-teacher Randy Stewart also posted his slides for "What should I do?"

What Should I Do?, 1 Corinthians 7:1-40

Yesterday, I thought of this week's lesson, "What Should I Do?" from 1 Cor. 7:10-16, 32-39, while watching the show NOAH at the Sight and Sound Theater in Branson, MO. The story (somewhat fictionalized) portrayed a frustrated Noah and his family inside the Ark. Noah prayed and asked God what to do.

Driving up to Branson, where we were to meet up with another couple, I asked my wife about our plans (which she had arranged). The other couple knew Branson well and I listened as my wife related what the couple had said what we should do, where to go, when to be there, etc. I did not know what to do before our conversation. Afterward, I was confident and did exactly as instructed. Everything worked out great!

Tell your class about a time when you did not know what to do, what you did, and the resulting outcome. Help them offer an example from their own lives.

What should do to prepare for this lesson? I recommend First Baptist, Houston, David Self's outline.

Four Reasons to Practice Christian Morality, 1 Corinthians 5:1-6:20

While traveling the past two weeks, I've attended two different Bible study classes in Baptist churches, one using the Lifeway material, the other not. Both had very good teachers, but I have to say that the better Bible study was the one that used the Lifeway material. That teacher interestingly never mentioned Lifeway's lesson ideas as he taught. He simply taught his own plan as applied in that particular church's situation (getting a new pastor).

As teachers, how to make the lesson plan "our own" is a challenge we face each week. It helps to read other lesson plans taken from the same Bible passage.

Gary Payne posted a link to his PowerPoint slides for "Four Reasons to Practice Christian Morality".

James Patterson, Second Baptist, Houston, posted a link to his lesson plan from 1 Cor 5:1-6:20, which he titled, "Free from Sexual Immorality."

Lastly, I never hesitate to suggest reading Jeff Meyer's plan.

PPT slides for, "Three Ideas for Encouraging Church Leaders," 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Co-teacher Randy Stewart posted his PowerPoint slides for this week's lesson, Three Ideas for Encouraging Church Leaders, based on 1 Corinthians 4:1-21. It's great to have Randy back in the saddle!

Three Ideas for Encouraging Church Leaders, 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Mark Rathel's commentary on the lesson, "Three Ideas for Encouraging Church Leaders," based on 1 Corinthians 4:1-21, describes Paul as the founding pastor of the Corinthian Church. Although it is not part of the lesson, I think from a Bible study perspective, it is an excellent time to remind class members that Paul was not a pastor. To be clear, he was an apostle and an evangelist, but he was never described as an elder (as Peter was). Whenever he established a church, Paul appointed elders to be leaders of the local church. These men were the "pastors" of the local church.

Gary Payne posted a good set of PowerPoint slides for the lesson, which I recommend.