Lesson for the week of February 21, 2021
Memory verse: Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Parent Instructions
Hello Parents! It’s another week in Westwood Uptown Online! Whether you’re with us at home or in person, this is a great opportunity to get involved, together, with this week’s Uptown Bible story. Here’s how you can enjoy this week’s Uptown Online…you’ll find a number of helpful resources you can do with your child(ren):
Watch & Discuss
Watch the video together. Included are animated Bible stories, teachings, and explanations of the Bible story. Discuss the Talk It Over Questions. Questions will include conversations about the Bible story to allow you and your children to reflect on the biblical truth and share your thoughts about the video with each other.
Download Resources
Included are coloring pages, craft or activity sheets, games, additional questions or ideas to engage with the Bible story further at home with your child.
Talk It Over
Paul told the Corinthian believers that they should not be divided; they should all be one because of their shared faith in Jesus. Jesus isn’t divided, and He alone died on the cross for them. Paul’s message was clear: the gospel does not divide believers, it unites them.
Ask everyone “what is unity?” and then “why is it important as a (our) family to be united?”
Family Ice Breaker: Would You Rather…
INSTRUCTIONS: Read the following “Would You Rather?” questions and share with your family..
- Step on a spider with bare feet or sleep with a worm on your pillow?
- Run into a lion’s cage or swim with sharks?
- Have the power go out at night or sit outside in the storm?
- Ride on a roller coaster or a pirate ship?
- Have no phone or no TV?
- Find a frog in your pocket or a beehive in your closet?
- Eat a booger or sneeze out milk?
- Fight a fire-breathing dragon or be a fire-breathing dragon?
THIS WEEK: 1 Corinthians 1-6 The Church Divided
What We’ve Learned
Story Point:
The gospel unites all kinds of people in love.
Big Picture Question:
What is our mission as Christians? Our mission is to make disciples of all nations by the power of the Holy Spirit.
BIBLE STUDY (just a little background for you):
In the first century, Corinth was an important destination in the Roman Empire. The city was located on a narrow area of land connecting the southern end of the Greek peninsula with the mainland to the north. When Paul visited Corinth on his missionary journeys, the city was full of people with various cultural and religious backgrounds.
Corinth was a strategic place to plant a church. Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half with Aquila and his wife, Priscilla. On the Sabbath, Paul went to the synagogues to teach God’s message to the people. When the Jews refused to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, Paul preached to the Gentiles. Many Corinthians believed and were baptized. (Acts 18:1-18) Finally, Paul returned to Antioch in Syria.
About six years passed. Paul was in Ephesus when he heard a report that the church in Corinth was struggling. The people in the church were arguing and suing each other. In some ways, they lived just like the people in Corinth who were not believers. So Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthian church—the Book of First Corinthians—not only to instruct them on how to live but to answer questions they had about the faith.
As you talk with your kids about 1 Corinthians, focus on church unity: Because of Jesus and what He has done, believers can humbly come together as one body. Emphasize that Paul gave practical instructions so that the believers would know how to live—not as a way to earn God’s favor, but to live in light of their salvation.
Paul spent a significant portion of his ministry meeting with believers and encouraging them to keep the faith. Jesus’ mission for the church is for believers to come together to worship God and to share the gospel.
Paul told the believers in the Corinthian church to come together because of the gospel. He reminded them that Jesus saves sinners. Because of Jesus and what He has done, believers can humbly come together as one body.
Christ Connection
Paul told the believers in the Corinthian church to come together because of the gospel. He reminded them that Jesus saves sinners. Because of Jesus and what He has done, believers can humbly come together as one body.
Questions:
- When we first met Paul in the Bible, what was his goal? To divide and destroy the church
- Who wrote the Book of 1 Corinthians? Paul, 1 Cor. 1:1
- Which book of the Bible comes right before 1 Corinthians? Romans
- After his encounter with Jesus, why do you think it was so important to Paul that the church stay united? If the church is divided, the gospel will not spread.
- Who were the different leaders the Corinthians claimed to be following? Paul, Apollos, Peter/Cephas, and Christ; 1 Cor. 1:12
- What was one of the main disagreements in the Corinthian church that Paul addressed? They formed groups based on who they thought was the best teacher: Paul, Apollos, Peter, or Jesus.
- What ultimately unites us as believers in the church? Jesus and the gospel, 1 Cor. 1:22-25
- What does this story teach me about God or the gospel? It shows us how the Gospel unites us all as Christians. Because of Jesus and what He has done, believers can humbly come together as one body.
Activities & Resources
Family Fun
Check out this week’s Activity page