I use a “3 Questions” method for my person Bible study. Here is today’s study …
Passage: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 (NLT)
19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.
20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law.
21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.
23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.
27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
Summary: There is an intensity to the Christian walk which is similar to high-performing athletics.
What does this passage say about God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)?
- v. 19, Christ can have people brought to Him.
- v. 20, Jews can be brought to Christ.
- v. 21, Gentiles can be brought to Christ.
- v. 21, God has a law that should not be ignored; however, the ‘law of Christ’ is also at play.
- v. 22, The weak can be brought to Christ.
What does this passage say about me or my relationships?
- v. 19, I am free, yet a slave for the purpose of bringing people to Christ.
- v. 20-21, I can vary my methods and customs to appeal to various groups with the single goal of bringing people to Christ.
- v. 21, I should obey the ‘law of Christ’ without ignoring the ‘law of God.’ This means the NT > the OT??
- v. 22, I won’t save them all, but I can save some.
- v. 23, My ‘everything’ is spreading the Gospel.
- v. 23, Spreading the Gospel has it’s own blessings.
- v. 24, Run the race of life to win it!
- v. 25, Our ‘prize’ is eternal, we are focused what lasts.
- v. 26, Avoid time-wasting, ‘shadow boxing’.
- v. 27, Discipline is an essential ingredient to winning.
- v. 27, I must be disciplined in my own walk with Christ because preaching alone doesn’t fix me.
What should I do about this passage? Become more disciplined in my walk with Christ.