1 Corinthians: Wisdom - Worldly or Godly? - Week 4
Opening Prayer:
Lord Jesus,
Thank you that Your wisdom looks different from the world's.
By Your Spirit, renew our minds, shape our hearts, and help us become people who look more like You.
May our community be known not for status or success, but for love, humility and service.
Amen.
Key Scripture:
6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for,
“Who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?”
But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:6-16
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In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul reminds us that everyone is shaped by some kind of wisdom. The wisdom of the world tells us to find our identity in success, status, achievement and self-reliance, but God's wisdom is revealed in the crucified and risen Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit, God reshapes our minds so that we become more like Christ—people marked by humility, love and service. As God's wisdom transforms individuals, it also forms a different kind of community that reflects God's kingdom to the world.
Discussion Guide:
Looking Around
What messages does our culture constantly tell us about what makes someone successful or valuable?
Which of those messages do you find most persuasive or tempting?
Erin said that "the wisdom we follow shapes the kind of people and community we become". Where have you seen this play out—in society, workplaces, families or churches?
Looking Within
Paul says the wisdom of the world tends to produce comparison, pride, competition and division.
Which of those do you recognise most easily in yourself?
When do you notice yourself trying to prove yourself rather than simply belonging to Christ?
Why do you think the cross seems so "foolish" from the world's perspective?
Looking to Jesus
Paul points us to Jesus crucified as the wisdom of God. What does the Cross teach us about:
Power?
Success?
Leadership?
Love?
Erin suggested that God's wisdom creates communities where status matters less than service, people belong rather than compete, and those on the margins are welcomed.
Where have you experienced something like this?
What would make our community look even more like this?
Walking by the Spirit
Paul says God's wisdom isn't discovered simply by becoming smarter—it is revealed through the Holy Spirit.
What practices help you stay connected to God's Spirit?
Erin used the illustration of a digital photo frame that only works when connected. What stood out to you from that picture?
Paul says we have "the mind of Christ." If someone observed your life this week, what evidence would they see that your thinking is being shaped by Jesus?
Practices:
Choose one of these to intentionally practise this week.
1. Spot the Wisdom
Each day notice one message from culture (advertising, social media, work, conversations, news) about what makes life worthwhile. Pause and ask: Does this look like Jesus?
2. Choose Hidden Service
Do one act of service this week that no one is likely to notice or thank you for. Let it be shaped by God's wisdom rather than recognition.
3. Stay Connected
Set aside 10–15 minutes on three different days this week to simply:
Read a short passage of Scripture,
Pray,
Ask "Holy Spirit, reshape my thinking to look more like Jesus."
Pay attention to anything God highlights.
Additional Resources:
For a printable version of this guide click here.