Class Lesson July 22, 2012

Hey Gang,

This week we look at how the Holy Spirit teaches us to live beyond ourselves in wisdom. Now what exactly does this mean? What makes us wise or foolish? Is it a beautiful mind? Is it what we know? How do we recognize real wisdom? How does one develop a truly beautiful mind?

A Beautiful Mind 

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“Perhaps it is good to have a beautiful mind, but an even greater gift is to discover a beautiful heart.”

What good is a head full of knowledge if our hearts are empty and we lack peace of mind and purpose in life?

• "The enlightened people were called as 'Gnostics'. This comes from the Sanskrit word 'Gna' which means knowledge. But knowledge does not mean what one knows through the brain, because brain or intelligence takes one to rationality, which has no wisdom behind it. Rationality can take one anywhere [and] can justify anything, as it is not absolute. So one has to go beyond rationality [and] develop the higher senses of Divinity, by which one can understand the real problems, and the actual solutions of all these problems."

How do we get beyond the ordinary way of thinking? How can we think extraordinary?

• Read Acts 4:13: When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
• The disciples of Jesus Christ were ordinary men, but being with Jesus made them extraordinary human-beings.

Where do we find true wisdom?

• Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-29: Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.

Only God can turn an ordinary person into an extraordinary human-being capable of miraculous acts. God normally chooses the simple among us for His work, so that all credit goes to him.

 
What is a truly beautiful mind? Answer: The Mind of Christ

 

• God grants real wisdom as we learn from Him and apply what we learn.
• Are you not enthused to know the mind of God? His Spirit understands God’s wisdom and shares it with Christians who will seek it.
• More information means needing to be careful about identifying accurate information.
• God’s Spirit has the ability to take us beyond information to truth and application.

 
 

Paul had founded the church at the bustling seaport city of Corinth and then later wrote this letter to the Corinthian believers. They consisted of Greeks, Romans, and Jews, coming from all social classes. The church was troubled in that the people were quite gifted. Yet they were also immature and unspiritual.

• Leadership problems created divisions within the church.
• Immoral practices happened among some of the believers.
• One group flaunted their spiritual gifts.
• Another group stressed strict keeping of dietary laws.
• Some believers were abusing the Lord’s Supper, while others were promoting false teachings about the resurrection.

In writing the letter to address some of these problems, Paul chose to talk about how the Holy Spirit could provide the wisdom the people needed to understand Scripture and to live the Christian life. Paul’s timeless advice shows us the key to the wisdom we need for living today.



The Holy Spirit can give us wisdom to understand Scripture and to live the Christian life – let’s see how. 

 
I. ACCESS GOD’S WISDOM – 1 CORINTHIANS 2:1-8

Paul’s Proclamation

2 When I came to you, brothers, announcing the testimony of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. 2 For I didn’t think it was a good idea to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a powerful demonstration by the Spirit, 5 so that your faith might not be based on men’s wisdom but on God’s power.

Spiritual Wisdom

6 However, we do speak a wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, a wisdom God predestined before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.


Paul reminded the Corinthians that when he first preached in Corinth, he did not use eloquence but plain speech in presenting the cross of Christ in the power of the Spirit.


See how Paul described wisdom here; it’s human wisdom. (Vs 1-5)

• Paul contrasted human wisdom with God’s power and wisdom. Human wisdom can never be the basis of our faith.
• Consider whether you depend more on human wisdom or God’s wisdom. Ask for God’s wisdom in every area of life; then follow it. Otherwise it does no good.

How did Paul describe God’s wisdom? (Vs 6-8)

• God’s wisdom is amazing, freeing, without agenda, and truly for our good. Believers have access to this wisdom through the Holy Spirit living in us.
• What habits have you developed for learning about and listening to God? Ask other believers how they hear and follow God? Add that habit.

How did Paul describe the “wisdom of this age” in verse 6? Where do you see “rulers of this age” (v. 7) in our culture?

• Rulers of this age are “coming to nothing.” Many people – even Christians – can put too much stock in the words and lives of politicians, celebrities, athletes, but those only matters if they align with God’s wisdom.
• Affirm that the “mystery” of spiritual maturity may seem like foolishness to those who don’t have the Spirit in their lives. But those who rely on the power of the Spirit can reap present and eternal benefits from the wisdom of God.

Is human wisdom bad?

• No, God has used it to accomplish wonderful things in science, mathematics, relationships, and health. We need godly wisdom to know how to apply the wisdom and knowledge we gain.

So, what should we do with the wisdom that we have?

• God’s wisdom leads to mature Christians. God’s wisdom is the truth that was once unknown but now revealed by God.
• I will filter all information through the Bible and seek God’s perspective and guidance. I will apply God’s wisdom in using knowledge.

What was a truly beautiful mind? (The Mind of Christ) God’s Spirit reveals the mind of Christ to believers – let’s read.



II. SEE WHAT GOD REVEALS – 1 CORINTHIANS 2:9-11

9 But as it is written: What eye did not see and ear did not hear, and what never entered the human mind—God prepared this for those who love Him. 10 Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man that is in him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.


God’s wisdom: Although godly wisdom is a mystery, the Spirit revealed it to mature believers.



Write “Wisdom Wanted” on the board and compile a list of places in which we need wisdom today. (finances, heath decisions, family relationships, work, at church)

• We all need God’s wisdom. List some specific areas in your life where you need that wisdom now. Write that privately on your hand out now.

When we’re tempted to engage in behavior that is risky or wrong, how is it that the Holy Spirit guides us in the choices to make? When we see opportunities to make right choices, how is it that the Holy Spirit guides us?

• How many times have we taken that action even after God shows us what to do.
• What habits will keep us from walking off cliffs?
• What habits will make sure we hear and heed God’s wisdom?

In our own strength we cannot fathom the mind of God – so what key role does the Spirit play?

• Paul used language from Isaiah 52:15 and 64:4 here to help readers understand the vast separation between God’s wisdom and us. We prepare ourselves to grasp God’s wisdom through prayer and Bible study.
• Listen and do what God says. Christians cannot conceive of the wonder of what God has prepared for them.

Have you ever felt like you could read the mind of your spouse or a good friend? How did your relationship get to that point?

• When people spend time together, they come to understand each other. They can predict reactions and even know what the other person will say. The intimacy of the relationship produces a deep understanding of each other. Even then communication is necessary to validate what’s in the other’s mind.

What illustration did Paul use to compare and contrast worldly wisdom with God’s wisdom?

• People can hide thoughts and feelings from others. They can put on a happy face to hide behind. Likewise, those outside God’s family cannot understand His ways – unless He reveals His mind through the Spirit.

How can we seek God’s wisdom and what will the Holy Spirit do when we seek?

• I can seek God’s wisdom through prayer, Bible study, wise Christians, and obeying Him day by day. The Spirit who wrote the inspired Scripture illumines those who read and study God’s Word.

What should I do when I struggle to do what I know is wise and good? Our lesson says that those without the Spirit cannot fathom the things of God, but those who live in the Spirit will discern spiritual things.   




III. DISCERN THE TRUTH – 1 CORINTHIANS 2:12-16

12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. 14 But the unbeliever does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually. 15 The spiritual person, however, can evaluate everything, yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. 16 For who has known the Lord’s mind,
that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.


Notice the contrasts between how believers and unbelievers respond to God’s wisdom. (Vs 12-15)

• When we respond to God’s calling to relate to Him, we get to understand, obey, watch, and rejoice as God Himself works in our spirits.
• The natural man lives without the Spirit, does not understand the Spirit, and considers the things of the Spirit to be foolishness.
• Read a chapter from Proverbs each day. What wisdom do you see? Live?

What is the confidence building promise we find in verse 16?

• The Spirit reveals the deep things of God.
• The Spirit teaches us spiritual words and truths.
• The Spirit gives discernment and reveals the mind of Christ.
• Take time for a check-up. Are you applying human wisdom in your life’s choices or are you applying God’s wisdom? Are you willing to make changes where needed?

How often do you have a performance review at work? What are some other ways you are evaluated?

• Most employers evaluate workers at least once a year. Other forms of evaluations would be: driver’s test, eye exams, physical exams, and questions from our adult kids.
• These evaluations are generally for our good and the good of others. We need to know where we stand so we can make necessary improvements.
• We should pause and give thanks to God for evaluating and guiding us into deeper loving and richer living.

What are we called to do with the wisdom we receive through the Spirit?

• Highlight the illustration – cartoon – to ask why this approach is tempting but foolish.
• Emphasize again that believers depend on the Spirit to understand God’s direction. Failing to follow them makes the wisdom useless.
• Wisdom helps us know what’s of God and what is not of God. Then we can choose where to participate and what to run from.
• Human knowledge is not bad, but it is insufficient.

How can we develop a beautiful mind “of Christ”?

• Through the power of the Holy Spirit we receive God’s Wisdom. The Mind of Christ.
• To develop a beautiful mind of Christ is to – live wisely.

Paul preached the good news in a way that glorified Christ without calling attention to himself. The Spirit enabled him to preach with power. The Spirit produces spiritually mature believers, who understand the revealed wisdom of God. The Spirit reveals the deep things of God and provides discernment into the mind of Christ.


The Spirit helps you live as a mature Christian by enabling you to communicate the good news in a way people will see Christ, by providing understanding of God’s revelation, and by guiding you to exercise godly discernment into the mind of Christ.



Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 and Hebrews 5:11-6:3 as well as the Bible passage for this lesson, 1 Corinthians 2:1-16.



"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall given to him." (James 1.5)



We also know the Holy Ghost is our teacher, comforter, the one that leads and guides, helps us pray as we ought, and unlocks the mysteries of the Kingdom of God.



Wisdom is the ability to apply and use the Word of God to accomplish God’s will in your life. It’s what you need when nothing else seems to work. Wisdom includes prudence, discretion, right decisions, soundness, stability and common sense.


In the verses leading up to 1 Corinthians 2:16, we note some truths concerning the mind of Christ:

1) The mind of Christ stands in sharp contrast to the wisdom of man (verses 5-6).

2) The mind of Christ involves wisdom from God, once hidden but now revealed (verse 7).

3) The mind of Christ is given to believers through the Spirit of God (verses 10-12).

4) The mind of Christ cannot be understood by those without the Spirit (verse 14).

5) The mind of Christ gives believers discernment in spiritual matters (verse 15).


In order to have the mind of Christ, one must first have saving faith in Christ (John 1:12; 1 John 5:12). After salvation, the believer lives a life under God’s influence. The Holy Spirit indwells and enlightens the believer, infusing him with wisdom—the mind of Christ. The believer bears a responsibility to yield to the Spirit’s leading (Ephesians 4:30) and to allow the Spirit to transform and renew his mind (Romans 12:1-2).

Prayer of Commitment

Holy Spirit, help me to live as a mature follower of the Lord Jesus. Amen 

Be in prayer this week as we continue in our study of the Holy Spirit and how He helps us live out our salvation each day. 

Hope to see you on Sunday - guess what, we're moving! I'll tell you about it on Sunday...

In His Love, 

David & Susan