DISCOVERY: Challenge to Unity
1 Corinthians 1:1 through 4:21
KEY VERSE: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there
be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same
mind and in the same judgment.”
(1 Corinthians 1:10)
1. What was the initial point of dissension in the Corinthian church that Paul addressed in his letter? (1 Corinthians 1:12)
1 Corinthians 1:12 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
KEY POINTS & LESSON INSPIRATIONS:
Dissension or disunity starts from the heart – when carnality sets in
Carnality creeps in when spirituality is weak
We must learn to appreciate diversities
Unity is not uniformity - Everybody is unique
God created us with various unique skills
- All for the perfection of the body of Christ
Factions in the church were supporting different leaders and styles of worship.
Each group thought its leader was superior, its teaching most profound, and its members most distinguished
1. Divisions Shift Focus From Christ to Men:
When the church becomes divided, loyalty shifts from Christ to personalities.
The church loses its spiritual power when Christ is no longer the central focus.
2. Divisions Weaken the Witness of the Church:
A divided church sends a confusing message to the world.
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35
Disunity makes the gospel less believable.
3. Divisions Create Spiritual Immaturity:
Factionalism is a sign of carnality, not spirituality.
“For ye are yet carnal… for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal?” — 1 Corinthians 3:3
Spiritual growth cannot thrive where division is present.
4. Divisions Destroy the Church’s Strength and Progress:
Unity multiplies strength; division multiplies weakness.
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.” — Mark 3:25
Division stalls the mission of the church and drains its spiritual energy.
5. Divisions Grieve the Heart of Christ:
Christ prayed for unity, not competition.
“That they all may be one… that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” — John 17:21
Disunity contradicts the very prayer of Jesus for His church.
6. Divisions Replace Purpose With Pride:
When believers say “I am of Paul… I am of Apollos,” they are exalting identity over unity.
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory.” Philippians 2:3
Pride fuels division; humility protects unity.
IT HAS BEEN SAID:
“Unity is the church’s greatest strength; division is its deadliest enemy.”
“The moment Christ is no longer our center, conflict becomes our culture.”
“Division never promotes Christ; it only promotes self.”
“A divided church cannot deliver a united message.”
“When believers fight each other, Satan no longer has to fight them.”
2. In order to live in harmony with other believers, certain behaviors are required. What three things did Paul admonish the Corinthians to do in order to maintain oneness? (1 Corinthians 1:10) How can we be sure that we have an attitude of unity toward fellow Christians?
1 Corinthians 1:10 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
KEY POINTS & LESSON INSPIRATIONS:
Harmony/unity is a spiritual virtue and principle
Spiritual unity is borne out of sanctification
Harmony among brethren should go beyond principles
We have to be deliberate, determined and take actions
- By following Spirirual guidance
“Speak the same thing,”
-allow for “no divisions” between them
“Be perfectly joined together” in the same mind and judgment.
Unity does not mean every individual has the same personal tastes, perspectives, and preferences.
It is possible to differ without being divisive. Have an attitude of flexibility and oneness, rather than each individual doing what was right in his own eyes.
Areas in our lives that might cause disunity:
-how should these areas be addressed?
1. We Pursue Unity Because of Christ’s Authority:
Unity is not optional — it is commanded “by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Do I value Christ’s name above personal opinions?
2. We Guard Our Speech:
Unity begins with how we speak.
Do my words build harmony or breed discord?
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth.” Ephesians 4:29
3. We Reject Divisive Behavior:
Do I promote peace or take sides?
4. We Seek Spiritual Alignment, Not Uniformity:
“Perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
Unity is not sameness — it is shared devotion to Christ and His truth.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5
5. We Practice Humility and Love:
Pride destroys unity; love protects it.
“With all lowliness and meekness… forbearing one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2
Do I listen more than I argue?
6. We Make Peace a Personal Responsibility:
Unity is not someone else’s job — it is mine.
“If it be possible… live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18
IT HAS BEEN SAID:
“Unity is not created by agreement but preserved by love.”
“The test of spiritual maturity is how we handle differences.”
“A Christian who protects unity is a blessing to the whole body.”
“You cannot walk with Christ and work against His church.”
“Where humility leads, unity follows.”
3. What does it mean to have “the mind of Christ,” as opposed to worldly wisdom? (1 Corinthians 2:16) How will possessing the mind of Christ affect unity within the church?
1 Corinthians 2:16 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
KEY POINTS & LESSON INSPIRATIONS:
We have the mind of Christ at Salvation
-When consistently listen and yield to the spirit
When Jesus reigns supreme, we think, plan and react like Him
- What Would Jesus Do (in every situation)
“mind of Christ” is following the teachings of the Lord.
It is seeing things as God sees them
Valuing what He values, and hating what He hates.
Worldly wisdom can be obtained through investigation, research, or experience, but
- the Bible is our resource for knowing God’s perspective.
Believers have insight into God's nature, plans, thoughts, and actions through Scripture.
-We may not fully comprehend God
When we have the mind of Christ, unity will be a natural result,
-because Christ is not divided.
WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST
1. Thinking Like Christ, Not Like the World:
Worldly wisdom is shaped by pride, ambition, and self-interest.
The mind of Christ is shaped by humility, obedience, and love.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 2:5
“My thoughts are not your thoughts.” — Isaiah 55:8
To have Christ’s mind is to allow His character to govern our thinking.
2. Submitting to God’s Wisdom Over Human Reasoning:
Worldly wisdom exalts human understanding; Christ’s mind depends on divine revelation.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5
“The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.” — 1 Corinthians 3:19
3. Walking in Humility Instead of Pride:
The mind of Christ is self-emptying, not self-exalting.
“He humbled himself… and became obedient unto death.” Philippians 2:8
“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” James 4:6
4. Living for God’s Glory, Not Personal Gain
Christ’s mindset seeks the Father’s will above personal comfort.
“I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father.” John 5:30
HOW THE MIND OF CHRIST PRODUCES UNITY IN THE CHURCH
1. It Removes Selfish Ambition:
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory.” Philippians 2:3
Unity flourishes where pride dies.
2. It Promotes Mutual Love and Understanding
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35
3. It Encourages Forgiveness and Grace:
“Forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
4. It Shifts Focus From Personal Preference to God’s Purpose
“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Philippians 2:4
IT HAS BEEN SAID:
“Worldly wisdom asks, ‘What is best for me?’ The mind of Christ asks, ‘What brings glory to God?’”
“Unity is impossible where self rules, but inevitable where Christ reigns.”
“The mind of Christ produces the heart of a servant.”
“When believers think like Christ, they stop fighting each other and start serving each other.”
“A church will never be stronger than the mindset of its members.”
4. At the beginning of chapter 3, Paul refers to the Corinthian believers as “babes” in their spiritual lives. How would you define a “babe” in Christ? How does a “babe” differ from one who is spiritually mature?
KEY POINTS & LESSON INSPIRATIONS:
Babes in Christ are not defined by number of years
Babes in Christ are those who are spiritually well fed but refuse to grow
-They also prefer simple food and not strong meat/nutrients
Spiritually mature are those who eat, digest and apply the instructions and teachings of Christ - Evidence of spiritual maturity
Spiritual infants can only “drink milk”
(understand the simple, elementary truths of the Gospel)
In contrast, a spiritually mature person is able to accept and discern the things that come from the Spirit of God.
A mature Christian - one who can “eat solid food”
(understand the deeper truths of the Gospel)
It is importance for new converts to continuing to grow in their spiritual lives.
Even after we are saved, sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Spirit, we still have lessons to learn, and godly attributes to develop.
Who Is a “Babe” in Christ?
A “babe in Christ” is a believer who is saved, but undeveloped in spiritual understanding, discipline, and Christlike character.
“I… could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:1
A babe is not lost — but not yet grown.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A “BABE” IN CHRIST
1. Limited Spiritual Understanding:
Babes rely on basic truths and struggle with deeper doctrine.
2. Easily Offended and Emotionally Driven:
“For ye are yet carnal… for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions.”
1 Corinthians 3:3
3. Inconsistent in Faith and Conduct:
“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro.” Ephesians 4:14
4. Focused on Self More Than Service:
Babes often ask:“What about me?” rather than “How can I serve?”
CHARACTERISTICS OF SPIRITUALLY MATURE BELIEVERS
1. Strong in the Word
“Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age.” Hebrews 5:14
2. Stable and Steadfast:
“Be ye stedfast, unmoveable.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
3. Governed by Love, Not Emotion:
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind.” 1 Corinthians 13:4
4. Discernment and Godly Judgment:
“Who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14
5. Christlike Attitude of Humility and Service:
“Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.” Matthew 20:26
IT HAS BEEN SAID:
“A babe in Christ lives on feelings; the mature believer lives by faith.”
“Spiritual maturity is not measured by age in Christ but by growth in Christ.”
“Babies must be carried; mature believers help carry others.”
“The test of maturity is how closely our reactions resemble Christ.”
“Growth is not automatic — it is intentional.”
5. Paul said he could not address some of those who attended the church in Corinth as spiritual people because they were still carnal. How was their carnality manifested? (1 Corinthians 3:3-4)
1 Corinthians 3:3-4 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
KEY POINTS & LESSON INSPIRATIONS:
Carnality can be found in three circumstances:
1. A saved person that failed to get sanctified will struggle with the sin nature
2. One who pretends or supposedly transformed but he is not
- Heard about Jesus and admire the gospel but not a possesor of it
3. A careless Christian that lost spiritual good standing without doing anything about it
Anyone found in any given situation above will struggle with carnality
- Carnality will be manifested in his thoughts, actions and reactions
Envy, strife, and divisions among some in the Corinthian church were manifestations of carnality.
“carnality” refers to the carnal or Adamic nature of man.
When a person prays through to salvation, He has been pardoned:
Still, there remains in him that carnal nature from which those deeds sprang in the first place.
- That is why sanctification is needed.
Salvation deals with the acts and guilt of committed sins, while sanctification deals with the nature of sin, the inward tendency inherited from Adam.
WHAT IS CARNALITY?
Carnality is living by the fleshly nature instead of the Spirit’s control — even though one is a believer.
“To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6
HOW CARNALITY MANIFESTS
1. Envy and Jealousy:
“There is among you envying…”
“Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” James 3:16
2. Strife and Contentiousness:
“…and strife…”
Carnality loves arguments more than agreement.
“Only by pride cometh contention.” Proverbs 13:10
3. Divisions and Factions:
“…and divisions…”
Carnality chooses sides instead of unity.
“Mark them which cause divisions… and avoid them.” Romans 16:17
4. Personality Worship:
“I am of Paul… I of Apollos.”
Carnality elevates human leaders above Christ.
“Cease ye from man.” Isaiah 2:22
5. Worldly Thinking Patterns
“And walk as men.”
Carnality responds like the world, not like Christ.
“Be not conformed to this world.” Romans 12:2
6. Spiritual Immaturity:
Carnality is a sign of delayed growth.
“I… could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal.” 1 Corinthians 3:1
IT HAS BEEN SAID:
POWERFUL QUOTATIONS
“Carnality is Christ in the heart but self on the throne.”
“When the flesh rules, the Spirit is resisted.”
“Division is the language of carnality.”
“A carnal believer is saved — but not surrendered.”
“Spiritual conflict always begins with a carnal heart.”
Carnality will always damage fellowship, hinder growth, and weaken the church’s witness.
“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16
6. In 1 Corinthians 3:23, Paul says that believers “are Christ’s.” What does that imply regarding our actions and attitudes as they relate to the maturing process?
1 Corinthians 3:23 23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
KEY POINTS & LESSON INSPIRATIONS:
Christian means CHRISTLIKE - Simular (carbon copy) - Not fake copy
We daily know more and more about Christ and grow
If we belong to Him, we should be like Him.
If we are “Christ’s.” - “Christ’s,” love will be the motivating factor behind all of our actions and attitudes.
-We will exemplify a compassionate, caring behavior to all,
- this will preclude anything that would contribute to division in the church.
The fact is, wherever we are spiritually, we need to be open to instruction.
- To be more is to know more
BELIEVERS ARE CHRIST’S
“Ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” 1 Corinthians 3:23
To belong to Christ means:
We are redeemed by His blood
Owned by His lordship
Committed to His purpose
“Ye are not your own… for ye are bought with a price.” 1 Corinthians 6:19–20
KEY IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR ACTIONS & ATTITUDES
1. Our Actions Must Reflect Christ’s Lordship:
If we are Christ’s, our lives are no longer self-directed.
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
Maturing believers ask:
“What would please my Lord?”
2. Our Attitudes Must Be Governed by Christ’s Mind:
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5
Maturity means we react less like the world and more like Christ.
3. We Must Grow From Self-Centeredness to Christlikeness:
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30
Spiritual growth is the steady replacement of self with Christ.
4. Our Conduct Must Demonstrate Obedience:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15
Maturity is measured by obedience, not merely knowledge.
5. We Accept Christ’s Discipline as Part of Growth:
“Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.” Hebrews 12:6
Correction is evidence of ownership.
6. We Become Responsible Representatives of Christ:
“We are ambassadors for Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 5:20
Maturing believers realize that their behavior reflects Christ to the world.
IT HAS BEEN SAID:
“You cannot grow in Christ while living for self.”
“Belonging to Christ changes how we think, speak, and live.”
“Spiritual maturity begins the day we stop asking what is allowed and start asking what glorifies God.”
“The deeper the surrender, the greater the maturity.”
“Ownership produces responsibility.”
7. According to 1 Corinthians 4:12-13, Paul and the other Apostles had suffered deeply at the hands of some individuals. Identify three forms of negative treatment that they had received. How did the Apostles choose to react? What can this teach us about how to deal with those who oppose us?
1 Corinthians 4:12-13 12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
KEY POINTS & LESSON INSPIRATIONS:
When become Christ’s, we inherited his Kingdom's attributes
-We are on the opposition side to Satan, sin and worldliness
It is natural and spiritual to face the Kingdom battle
- Jesus warned us but gives assurance of victory
It is not a carnal or physical matter - Don't take it personally
"The weapons of our warfare are not carnal..."
Respond with spiritual wisdom
Being reviled, they blessed. Being persecuted, they suffered [allowed] it. Being defamed, they entreated.
Natural response to being reviled, persecuted, and defamed.
-Fight back and revenge
The Apostles’ reaction helped to build unity rather than tear it down.
We can exercise the same heart as the Apostles in similar situations
1. Respond With Blessing, Not Bitterness:
“Being reviled, we bless.”
Opposition reveals the maturity of our spirit.
“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” Romans 12:14
2. Endure With Patience, Not Retaliation:
“Being persecuted, we suffer it.”
“When he was reviled, reviled not again.” 1 Peter 2:23
True strength is controlled response.
3. Answer With Gentleness, Not Anger:
“Being defamed, we intreat.”
4. Remain Faithful in Service Despite Opposition:
“And labour, working with our own hands.”
Opposition should never stop obedience.
“Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
5. Accept Humility Without Losing Identity:
“We are made as the filth of the world…”
We accept rejection from the world because we belong to Christ.
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18
IT HAS BEEN SAID:
“Your reaction to opposition reveals who rules your heart.”
“Blessing your enemies disarms their power.”
“Gentleness is strength under control.”
“The believer’s greatest defense is Christlike character.”
“Opposition refines faith more than comfort ever could.”
We do not conquer opposition by force, but by faithfulness.
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” — Romans 12:21
CONCLUSION
There is a big difference between knowing the Gospel and living the Gospel, and part of “living it” is getting along in peace and love with our fellow believers. Let us do our part to build unity in the Body of Christ!
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