Scripture:
1 Corinthians 2:2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
Observation:
Paul continues his letter to the church and recounts his ministry and investment into them. He shares that he humbled himself and shared with them the basic foundation of the gospel and stuck simply to life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. This is fact is all that is needed for life transformation.
Application:
Just as in the first century, there are a lot of things to be distracted by when it comes to faith and religion. Arguments as silly as holidays, and disagreements as serious as the end times. There are always subjects that divide and confuse. However Paul shares that his investment into the Corinthians was done with a dedication to the simplicity or the gospel. He didn’t argue the law; he didn’t debate genealogies; he didn’t demand a theological stance on the sovereignty of God. He did however preach the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Christ. This critical teaching is what the Corinthians needed and it is what we need today.
A few things:
-Keeping it simple is a conscience decision made by the teacher/mentor/discipler for the good of the one learning. I must make the decision to humble myself and stick to the basics of Jesus. These “basics” provide enough discipleship curriculum for my whole life.
-A focus on the gospel provides the basis for living and multiplying the Christian life.
-The goal is not to teach everything I know/believe theologically but rather to share the truth of Jesus in a way that will transform their lives.
Prayer:
Father I don’t care if people know the depth of my theological knowledge or opinions. I just want them to know you. Keep me focused on teaching and modeling the gospel.