Scripture Union Daily Guide July 21, 2023
Read Scripture Union Daily Guide July 21, 2023, Friday SU Daily Guide Reading
TOPIC: Sanctified Life in an Unsanctified Culture
OPENING PRAYER: I open my heart to meditate on your word, teach me your ways oh Lord.
INTRODUCTION TO 1 CORINTHIANS
The Church at Corinth was in a cosmopolitan city, with unending opportunities to engage in various activities, including sinful behaviour of all sorts, just like a modern urban centre. Having spent some time there (Acts 18:1-17), Paul was intimately familiar with the church and the congregation. It was a troubled church, laden with issues of sexual immorality; quarrelling and disunity, some cases leading to lawsuits among members; infidelity in marriage relationships; abuse of the use of spiritual gifts; order of worship and the Lord’s Supper, etc. The pressures of the corrupt environment were also impacting negatively on this growing church. It needed a spiritual surgery, and this was Paul’s burden as he diagnosed and addressed these issues in the letter.
As we study this book, we should be challenged to be distinct from the corruption in our environment as we shine as light in dark places and remain unspotted, united in life and worship with one another. We ought to pursue purity in life and remain focused on Christ as we hold tight to the hope of our bodily resurrection to come.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
• Q 2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
• Q 7: What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 21 July 2023 Outline:
Paul opens this letter by stating the authenticity of his apostleship (“by the will of God”). He also addresses his audience, acknowledging their status in Christ, viz, sanctified in Christ – being separated from the corruption of their time and city; called to be holy – emphasizing holiness (see 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). Then, they were equipped by the grace of God. The spirituality of the people was therefore not in doubt, as they bore testimony of Christ in utterance, knowledge, and as they eagerly awaited the revelation of Christ.
Notice that Paul dwells much on the strengths of the church and offers thanks to God for these. How often do we commend our co-labourers, before addressing their weaknesses? See how Paul concluded this introductory part of his message in vs.8 and 9 and note his prayer points. In a corrupt and wicked society, we need to be kept strong to the end by God’s faithful hands. On our part, God’s call and provision for us make it possible to live a sanctified life in the midst of unsanctified culture.
PRACTICE/WORD APPLICATION
And so? We ought to be committed to righteous living, leaning on the life-shaping power of the gospel of Christ.
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
CLOSING PRAYER:
O Lord, keep me strong against the tide of compromise in the corrupt society in which we live.
- Offer a prayer of faith in line with Luke 6:19
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Jonah 1‐4.
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN – Fri, 21-Jul-2023
PRAYER FOCUS
CHILDREN
Let the children come to Me, do not hinder them, for such is the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 19:14
THANK GOD FOR:
► The ministry of reaching out to children that he has committed into our hands
► Every child He has used SU to raise and nurture.
PRAY FOR:
► These children will be firmly rooted in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ
► They will have courage to stand firm against the evil of this time.
► They will exemplify godly characters wherever they find themselves
Scripture Union Daily Guide July 21, 2023. Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.
READ MORE TOPICS: OPEN HEAVENS, OUR DAILY BREAD, IN TOUCH, SEEDS OF DESTINY, STREAMS OF JOY, JOEL OSTEEN, MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE, DCLM DAILY MANNA, UCB WORD FOR TODAY