Discussion Questions: 1 Corinthians 15:1-9

For the message, The Core Value of the Gospel

given by Pastor John Ferguson at New City Church on October 26, 2014


These discussion questions are designed to help you reflect upon and apply the message from the Scriptures.
You can use these by yourself for reflection, or you could use these with your family or small group for discussion.

Introduction:

On a scale of 1-10, how confident are you in your ability to answer the question, What is the gospel?

Do you remember a time when you grasped the content of the gospel clearly?

What questions do you have about the gospel?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-9.


Questions:

1. In the introduction, Pastor John discussed the three words that capture the DNA of New City
Church: Gospel, Community, & Mission. He said that these are given to us when we believe in
Jesus, but there is also a sense in which we have to be converted to each one. What did he
mean by that?

2. Paul felt the need to remind the Corinthian Christians again of the gospel. Why do you think that
is the case?

What can we learn from the fact that we need to be reminded of the gospel?

3. Paul delivered to the Corinthians what he considered to be of 1
st
importance: the gospel. Why is
the gospel essential to get straight right out of the gate? In other words, what happens if a
person remains fuzzy about the gospel?

4. Paul states clearly that the content of the gospel is that Jesus died for our sins. Now the
Romans and Jews who corroborated to have Jesus crucified did not think this was what was
going on. What were their aims?

Look up the following passages and comment on what they teach about the meaning of Jesus
death on the cross for our sins: John 10:11; Romans 5:6-8; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 17-21; 1
Peter 2:24.

5. What are the implications for understanding that Christ had to die for our sins?

John said something to the effect, We are learning that we are more deeply flawed, broken,
and sinful than we have the courage to admit, yet we can experience in Christ more deeply love,
accepted, and forgiven than we ever dared dream. How does this flow from a right
understanding of the gospel?

6. The message also said that in addition to the execution, there was an empty tomb and
eyewitnesses. John listed some of the eyewitnesses and made comments about their
conversion to Christianity as being explainable only in light of the resurrection.

How does the resurrection make Christianity a public fact. In other words, how do these events
keep Christianity from being just a matter of personal opinion, but rather an event that demands
a response from everyone.

7. At NCC, we want to be a gospel-centered church, that is, a church that keeps as first
importance the fact of Jesus death for our sins and subsequent resurrection from the dead.
What are some other things that we might get focused oneven good thingsthat would take
our focus off of the gospel?


Conclusion:

What is the one thing you want to take away from this study to remember or to make a change
in your life? How does this text help you understand your need for Jesus? How does this text
challenge you to follow him?


Renewing your mind:

Matthew 16:21, From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem
and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the
third day be raised.