1 Corinthians: Living Transformationally - Week 10
Opening Prayer:
Loving Father,
You are the transformational God, the One who changes us and calls us to help others change too. Reveal again the power of this transformational story and show us the ways we can give ourselves on behalf of the hungry, the lonely, the poor, the marginalised. Show us the next step toward being a slave of Christ. Help us live as citizens of Your kingdom because it’s so good to know Christ and be found in Him.
In His precious name,
Amen.
Key Scripture:
Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
1 Corinthians 7:1-24
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In 1 Corinthians 7:16–24, Paul offers instructions regarding marriage, religious status, and slavery, exploring what it means to run "another race" and live for "another world". Paul responds to specific questions from the Corinthian church, where some abused their freedom through sexual immorality while others viewed celibacy as a superior religious badge. Rather than demanding believers escape their current relational or social circumstances, Paul urges them to stay where they are called and live transformationally.
To illustrate this, Paul addresses marriage, circumcision, and slavery. While circumcision was a significant religious indicator, Paul notes that "keeping God’s commands is what counts". External markers do not determine spiritual standing. This principle applies today as people from various backgrounds—such as underground believers in China, Muslims following Jesus in their communities, or Māori discovering Christ's love—learn to walk with God right where they are.
The passage’s instructions regarding slavery can feel disturbing to us today, but scripture makes clear that human servitude is not God’s design. Paul encourages enslaved believers to gain freedom if possible, but emphasises a deeper Kingdom paradox: a slave called to Christ is the Lord’s freed person, while a free person is Christ’s slave. Believers are "bought at a price" and called not to become slaves to human standards.
Ultimately, every context—whether being a working mother, employer, spouse, or neighbour—is a setting for mission. Instead of waiting for changed circumstances, believers are invited into ongoing transformation where "down is up" and "less is more". This transformational journey cannot be done alone; it requires a collective commitment to live out God’s call locally and globally.
Discussion Guide:
Overview
In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul addresses diverse cultural, social, and spiritual conditions—ranging from marriage and celibacy to circumcision and slavery. Rather than instructing believers to immediately escape their present circumstances, Paul emphasises that in whatever situation people find themselves, they are called to follow Jesus and live transformationally. Through Christ, social and cultural paradoxes emerge: "down is up, less is more, slave is free and free is slave". We are invited to see our everyday environments—whether work, family, or neighbourhood—as the very setting for God’s mission.
The Messy Middle as Mission Field: When individuals come to faith, they often discover Jesus within messy, existing networks (marriages, sports groups, workplaces). Staying in those places allows God's love to catch on and for others to witness God transform people’s lives.
Kingdom Identity Over Cultural Markers: External or religious distinctions (like circumcision vs. uncircumcision in Paul’s time) do not define standing before God; keeping God's commands and walking in grace is what counts.
The Gospel Paradox: "The one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave" (v. 22). In Christ, we are liberated from worldliness yet tethered to Him.
Global and Local Interconnection: Transformational kingdom living is not a solo endeavour; it is a shared story that connects local faithfulness to a global movement.
Discussion Questions:
Unpacking the Text
Read 1 Corinthians 7:16–24. What stands out or "jars" you about Paul's instruction to "remain in the situation they were in when God called them"
The Kingdom Paradox
Verse 22 states that a slave is the Lord's freed person, and a free person is Christ's slave. How does viewing yourself as both entirely free in grace and entirely devoted to Christ change how you approach your daily obligations?
Local Mission
In what current setting (your job, family structure, neighbourhood, or recreational circle) might God be asking you to live as a transformational presence rather than seeking an exit or change?
Global Mission
How might God be asking you to take a more active role in His mission to the world? What might this look like? How might you respond to the call to “Give, Pray, Go” this year?
Practice:
Give, Pray, Go.
This week go on a prayer walk and seek the Lord as to what you might give this year, in support of our mission as a church.
Additional Resources:
For a printable version of this guide click here.