Week 2: January 26 – Same Mind & Same Purpose
1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Note to the Teacher

This lesson invites youth to reflect on divisions and coming together despite our disagreements. The evening ends with a time to affirming to each other the good things we see in one another.

Time Description of Activity

10 Min 1. Ice Breaker: Do We Agree or Disagree?

In this activity youth will be presented with two options and will have to pick the side they most agree with. This exercise is a fun way to lead in to see how we can disagree but still be together as one.

Create an imaginary line in the middle of the room. Read the following statements below (or feel free to create your own) and invite students to pick a side. After each round ask a student on each side to share why they chose the side they did.

• Marvel vs. DC
• Traditional Worship vs. Contemporary Worship
• Star Wars vs. Star Trek
• The Arts vs. Sports
• Books vs. Movies
• Camping vs. Beach
• City vs. Country
• Puppies vs. Kittens

5 Min. 2. Read Scripture

In this scripture Paul speaks about division and unity. It is easy for us to find many ways to be divided, but Christ beckons us to be one, to put aside our personal agendas and to follow Christ.

Read 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

15 Min. 3. Discussion

• Paul tells the Corinthian church to “agree with each other and do not be divided into rival groups; instead, be restored with the same mind and the same purpose.” Do you believe this is possible in the church today? Why or why not?
• Are there things that are OK for us to disagree about or do we all have to believe the same things on all issues?
• What are some of the divisions and causes of conflict in the Church today? Do you believe there are ways we can move forward together?
• How can we have unity even when we disagree with each other?
• Some in the Corinthian church said they belonged to Paul, and others to Apollos or Cephas, while others belong to Christ. Paul responds to them by asking, “Is Christ divided?” Are there ways that Paul might feel the same way today, that Christ is divided in our Church?
• Paul said he was sent to preach good news, but not with clever words so that Christ’s cross would be emptied of its meaning. What are examples of clever words that can lessen the meaning of the cross and our faith?
• Paul writes that the “message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed. But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved.” What do you think that means? How is the message of the cross foolishness to some and the power of God for others?

20 Min. 4. Activity - Naming Our Gifts in Each Other

Have everyone sit in a large circle. Give each person a 5X7 piece of cardstock. Have each person write their name at the top leaving plenty of space at the bottom. After they write their name, have the students pass their card to the person to the right. When the card is passed each person will write an affirming word or phrase about the person whose name is at the top. Repeat this until each card comes back to its owner.

This is an affirmation circle. People do not need to write their name under their comments. Once everyone gets theirs card back, take a few minutes to read them and of course to keep them and take them home.

Paul speaks words of challenge to the things that divide us and this exercise helps us to reflect on the good things we see in each other. Whether we agree or disagree about certain issues we can still come together and affirm each other.

50 Min.

Resources Needed

5X7 cards for each person