Paul's Letters 1 Corinthians

Keys To Spiritual Fathering

Discover Jesus as: The Last Adam 1 Corinthians 4 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)

Day 506 of 730
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INTRO

Yesterday we learned that Paul was concerned about the divisions taking place within the Corinthian church. Today we continue in chapter 4 with Paul’s teachings on those divisions. We’re going to approach this chapter through looking at the 9 keys for being spiritual fathers and spiritual mothers.

TEACHING

  1. Spiritual fathers/mothers serve faithfully (1 Corinthians 4:1–2). We should be seen as servants of Christ.

Spiritual fathers/mothers are accountable to the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:3–5). We are not held accountable by anyone but God. The Lord is the one who evaluates us.

Spiritual fathers/mothers pour out sacrificially and release authority (1 Corinthians 4:6–8). Both Paul, Apollos, and Peter/Cephas had time with the Corinthians. All three of them poured into the church. We cannot compare one to another.

Spiritual fathers/mothers launch others off their shoulders. Their ceiling is the next generation’s floor (1 Corinthians 4:8)! We want our children to go far beyond what we can accomplish for Christ.

Spiritual fathers/mothers exhibit both confidence and humility (1 Corinthians 4:9–13). Paul’s confidence was in who God called him to be; his humility was in his willingness to take a back seat.

Spiritual fathers/mothers demonstrate foolish faith (1 Corinthians 4:10). Walking in faith in tough times can make a believer look foolish to those who are unbelievers.

Spiritual fathers/mothers model . . . teachers teach (1 Corinthians 4:14–16). God is raising up the fathers and the mothers to champion the next generation to be who they are meant to be in Christ—to model godly faith.

Spiritual fathers/mothers reproduce spiritual fathers/mothers (1 Corinthians 4:17). Timothy was a product of Paul’s mentoring.

Spiritual fathers/mothers discipline lovingly and firmly (1 Corinthians 4:18–21). Spiritual fathers/mothers are not afraid to discipline in love (Hebrews 12:7–13).

CLOSING

Malachi 4:6 summarizes this whole chapter: “And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers.” May we be spiritual fathers and mothers as we raise the next generation.

Lord, raise up the fathers and mothers.

Lord, raise up teachable sons and daughters.

As we will see in 1 Corinthians 5, there was a little trouble with some “kids” submitting to their “fathers’” wishes.

Questions

  1. Paul described himself and the other leaders of the church as “stewards of the mysteries of God.” What is the definition of a steward in this context? Is this a highly elevated position?
  2. According to 1 Corinthians 4:5, who is responsible to bring to light things hidden and reveal the motives of a man’s heart?
  3. In 1 Corinthians 4:6, what do you think Paul meant by telling the Corinthians not to go beyond what was written?
  4. Read 1 Corinthians 4:7. Explain what point Paul was making to the believers at Corinth. (John 3:27, 30)
  5. What do you suppose Paul meant in 1 Corinthians 4:15, when he said they had many instructors (tutors or guides) in Christ, but they did not have many fathers? Who is your “spiritual father/mother”?
  6. What did the Holy Spirit highlight to you in 1 Corinthians 4 through the reading or the teaching?

Next: the Daily Word →

Daily Word

Laura Martin 1 Corinthians 4:10

“We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!”

Like the apostle Paul, live as a fool for Christ. What does that mean? It means your life may not make sense to those looking in from the outside. It means others may judge and evaluate you, but you know the real evaluation only comes from the Lord. Being a fool for Christ may look like weakness, but you know you are strong in Him. It may look like you are dishonored, but you are a distinguished, royal priest- hood before the Lord. You may be persecuted and knocked down, but you endure the pain, just like Jesus. Even though what is seen may be deteriorating, the Lord looks at what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, and what is unseen is producing a weight of glory.

Look around you. Look for someone who is a fool for Christ. Someone who doesn’t live to please man but rather lives to please the Lord in confident humility. When you find that person, seek to imitate them as they imitate Christ. You will find ultimate fulfillment and peace when you live as Christ lived and love as Christ loves. Today, step out as a fool . . . a fool for Christ.

“We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!”

— 1 Corinthians 4:10

FURTHER SCRIPTURE

  • 1 Corinthians 4:15–16 — “For you can have 10,000 instructors in Christ, but you can’t have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me.”
  • 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 — “Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
  • Ephesians 5:1–2 — “Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.”