Prayer, Evangelism and Worship

This lesson plan is designed for a one-hour small group session based on 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, focusing on the importance of healthy church gatherings.  A sermon preached on 05-17-2026.   Small Group Lesson: When Gathering Brings Harm Than Good Total Time: 60 Minutes Lesson Emphasis:   “Church gatherings bring good when Christ is central, people are loved, worship is reverent, and the gospel shapes how believers treat one another.” I. Introduction: The Identity of the Gathering (10 Minutes) The church is defined by its gatherings for worship, instruction, and celebration. Throughout history—from the early church in Acts to the Reformers—the Sunday "Lord's Day" gathering has been a non-negotiable priority for spiritual health and church order. However, the Apostle Paul warns that it is possible for a church meeting to do "more harm than good" if it does not reflect the gospel. II. Point 1: Harmful Gatherings Reveal Divided Relationships (15 Minutes) Core...

Small Group Notes and Questions Read:  1 Corinthians 11:1-16 Rehearse the three points and it summary. Solicit any questions the group may have regarding last week's sermon or any questions that have arisen.   Rehearse and answer questions below.   Based on the three main points of the sermon notes regarding 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 , here are application questions designed to help individuals and groups reflect on God’s design for order, honor, and dependence : 1. God Established Order for His Glory (vv. 1–3) The sources state that "headship is not about superiority but about responsibility and structure" . How does viewing authority as a "responsibility to serve" rather than a "right to control" change your perspective on the leaders in your life (at home, work, or church)? Since the "head of Christ is God," yet Christ is not inferior to the Father, how does this divine example help you find dignity and value in roles that require submiss...

Disciplined Christian Freedom Holding Back for the Sake of Others 1 Cor. 10:23-33 Paul’s principle in First Epistle to the Corinthians 10:23–33 reaches far beyond food. The issue is not merely “meat offered to idols,” but how believers exercise freedom in every sphere of influence. Here are additional categories that fall under Disciplined Liberty where believers can hold back for the glory of God and for the sake of others: Alcohol in Social Settings. A believer has freedom to drink, but chooses restraint or abstinence when discipling a younger Christian with a past of addiction, or when hosting unbelieving neighbors where clarity of witness matters. Entertainment & Media Choices. Not everything is sinful, but some content dulls spiritual appetite or confuses newer believers. A discipler curates choices publicly and privately to build, not blur, convictions. Social Media Engagement. Posting opinions may be “lawful,” but does it edify? Does it inflame consciences, fracture u...