Break the ice. Would you rather live in the ocean or on the moon, and why?

Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.

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18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

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Discuss the text.

1. What are some ways that Christ and his gospel look foolish to the world?
2. Share a time when you felt foolish sharing the gospel. Does the passage say that is normal? Should that stop us from sharing?
3. How does knowing Christ, who is the fullness of Wisdom that fulfills the Law for his people, transform our reading of passages like Proverbs 31?
4. Try reading Matthew 5:3-12 the way Tymarcus read Proverbs 31: not as a list of qualifications that we have to meet (Law) but as a description of who Jesus Christ is for us (Gospel). How does Christ’s fulfillment change Matthew 5 and Proverbs 31 from an indictment of what we are not into an invitation to become like him?

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Pray and walk.

When Jesus sent the disciples out two by two, he expected them to engage and encounter people who needed to hear the gospel (see Luke 10:16). As you pray and walk this week, pray for boldness to share the gospel with those you encounter. Pray for receptive hearts and salvation according to Acts 4:31, “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” Go on a walk with a group, with a friend or individually.