Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 9Sample

In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul addresses the tension that rose in the meetings/gathering the church had. People had different opinions on traditional habits; should these traditions be carried on?

“3 But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4 A man dishonours his head if he covers his head while praying or prophesying. 5 But a woman dishonours her head if she prays or prophesies without a covering on her head.”

In verse 16, we see that some in the church did not agree with Paul. But also that this tradition was something custom to the church.

The question was “Should we then still cover our heads in prayer and worship?”

In the second part of 1 Corinthians 11, Paul addresses the way communion was shared in their gatherings. The Church seemed to miss the purpose and the power of communion and dishonouring communion resulting in sickness and death: “30 That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.”

Also, from verses 20 to 22, Paul addresses those who take communion because they were hungry. This is dishonouring. How do we fix this? Paul says in verse 34: “If you are really hungry, eat at home so you won’t bring judgment upon yourselves when you meet together”.

From verses 23 to 26, Paul reminds them of why we take communion in order for them to be reminded of what Christ has done for them and the effect Christ's death has on them: Verse 25-26 “Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it. For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again."

In taking communion, we are reminding every cell in our bodies of the work of Christ. Realigning our thought with the truth.