Hold Firmly

Describe a time when you’ve received good news (or experienced an eucatastrophe), whether it was a slow realization or all of sudden.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-20. What encourages, surprises, or challenges you in this passage?

In verse 3 Paul refers to passing on the good news or truth that is of “first importance.” The following verses capture one of the earliest creeds defining the Christian faith. What is of first importance to Paul, what are the tenants of Christianity passed on in verses 3-8?

What truth in verses 3-8, do you find especially encouraging? Are there statements in these verses that have been challenging to you or cause you to wrestle with receiving?

What difference does the truth of the resurrection have on Cephas/Peter, James, the apostles, and Paul?

How does Paul describe his identity and ministry shaped by resurrection reality? Consider verses 9-11.

What are the global and personal ramifications of our resurrection hope? In verse 20, Paul states, “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.” How does this truth impact the various spheres of our lives? Consider our desires, longings, values, relationships, money, time, etc.

G.K. Chesterton reasoned that we have gotten the word amateur wrong. We think it is opposite of professional or excellent. But amateur, as G.K. Chesterton never tired of saying, means “lover.” A person must love a thing very much
if he not only does it without fame or money, but even does it without doing it well. So, Chesterton’s famous witty proverb goes: “If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly.” We are called to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Even if we don’t do this perfectly, it is worth doing. In what ways are you being called to love what God loves because of the reality of the resurrection in your daily life?