I know that, even after reading the letters multiple times, I gained a deeper understanding of them through a better grasp of what Paul and his converts were up against in Corinth. So take a little time this Sabbath afternoon to watch the video below.  

Image © Pacific Press

Read for This Week’s Study

1 Corinthians 1:12-17, Romans 1:29, 1 Corinthians 1:10, 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, Philippians 2:5-8, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Colossians 1:24.

Memory Text:

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10, ESV).

Those who observe wildlife know that some creatures live in packs, in herds, or in groups, all of varying sizes. From wolves, to dolphins, to even army ants, these creatures stick together. Chimpanzees are especially known for their tight-knit social bonds, sometimes existing in groups of 15 to 150 fellow chimps. However, these relationships are not always harmonious, and sometimes the chimps fight among themselves.

Humans are somewhat like that as well; that is, not only do they tend to exist in groups, but they sometimes fight among themselves in those groups. And that’s a reality even in our churches! Cliques form, often around some kind of charismatic leader. And, even worse, sometimes one clique does not get along with others.

Have you ever seen that in your church? If so, then you have an idea of an issue Paul faced in Corinth. This week we will take a look at 1 Corinthians 1:1-31; 1 Corinthians 2:1-16; 1 Corinthians 3:1-23; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21, where the apostle Paul deals with the problem of quarrels in the church and how to overcome them, namely, through unity in Christ.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, July 18.

Sunday–>

By Vyacheslav Demyan

Fabiola lived in the peaceful surroundings of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, yet peace was the last thing she felt. A breast cancer diagnosis had shaken her world, and with the added fear of COVID-19 spreading across the country, death felt closer than ever.

Meanwhile, in the city of Salvador, Luisa’s world was collapsing. A betrayal shattered her marriage of 23 years, leaving her to discover she had contracted syphilis from her husband. Additionally, her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and she witnessed a neighbor take her own life. The thought haunted her—maybe she should do the same.

Both women were drowning in their suffering. Like the woman who had bled for 12 years in the biblical story of Mark chapter 5, Fabiola and Luisa were desperate for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. They each needed a touch of hope.

On two separate evenings, God intervened in a surprisingly similar way. As Fabiola tried to escape her anxiety by watching TV, her small dog hopped onto her lap, accidentally stepping on the remote and switching the channel to Novo Tempo, Hope Channel in Brazil.

Some 800 miles away, Luisa’s dog did the same thing. In Fabiola and Luisa’s darkest moments, one divinely placed paw on a remote revealed the life-changing love of a Savior.

Both women felt a wave of hope wash over them.

Today, Fabiola has found renewed purpose, encouraging those around her with the same message of comfort she received. The messages from Novo Tempo reshaped her outlook on her illness. She no longer saw cancer as a punishment but as a part of something God allowed to help transform her. Now, as she waits for her medical appointments, she shares Christian books, speaks of Jesus, and encourages those around her with the hope she found.

For Luisa, the programs she watched helped her recognize she was battling depression. She was able to receive treatment that became her turning point, helping her emerge from darkness into the light of God’s love.

“I was that lost, dirty, empty daughter,” she reflects. “But [after His touch], I never want to leave His presence.”

Hope Channel exists for people like Fabiola and Luisa—people searching for hope, for healing, for Jesus. Thousands are waiting to be reached. Eighty-four Hope Channels around the world are reaching people through life-changing content, offering Bible studies, and connecting seekers with Christ.

When you give to the mission offering during Sabbath School or choose mission on your tithe envelope, a portion of that offering helps fund Hope Channel’s important ministry around the world. Thank you for your generous support.

Further Thought:

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

Read Ellen G. White, “Calvary,” Pages 741–757, in The Desire of Ages.

“To the minds of multitudes living at the present time, the cross of Calvary is surrounded by sacred memories. Hallowed associations are connected with the scenes of the crucifixion. But in Paul’s day the cross was regarded with feelings of repulsion and horror. To uphold as the Saviour of mankind one who had met death on the cross, would naturally call forth ridicule and opposition.

“Paul well knew how his message would be regarded by both the Jews and the Greeks of Corinth. . . . Among his Jewish hearers there were many who would be angered by the message he was about to proclaim. In the estimation of the Greeks his words would be absurd folly. He would be looked upon as weak-minded for attempting to show how the cross could have any connection with the elevation of the race or the salvation of mankind.

“But to Paul the cross was the one object of supreme interest. Ever since he had been arrested in his career of persecution against the followers of the crucified Nazarene he had never ceased to glory in the cross. At that time there had been given him a revelation of the infinite love of God, as revealed in the death of Christ; and a marvelous transformation had been wrought in his life, bringing all his plans and purposes into harmony with heaven. . . . He knew by personal experience that when a sinner once beholds the love of the Father, as seen in the sacrifice of His Son, and yields to the divine influence, a change of heart takes place, and henceforth Christ is all and in all.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, Pages 245, 246.

Discussion Questions

<–Thursday

But are we any closer to accepting the message of the cross than the disciples were? To the disciples, it meant giving up all their worldly hopes of glory. It meant following in the footsteps of Jesus in self-denial and self-sacrifice, risking persecution and death. After the cross, they remembered that Jesus had said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23). His words had only seemed a puzzle to them then, and they soon forgot them. But they remembered now, and now they understood that He meant they must die – die to their selfish desires in order to live for Christ. 

As you watch the video below, keep in mind that Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

After watching that video, we can reflect and ask ourselves, when did we last “deny ourselves” anything for the sake of Christ? When did we last “take up our cross” /die to self?

Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and this quarter’s author, Dr Adenilton Tavares de Aguiar, as they provide additional insights into this week’s Sabbath School lesson.