Урок 2. Звістка про хрест | Вчительська зустріч

Scriptures for Study 1 Cor. 1:17–31; Col. 1:20; 1 Pet. 2:24; Acts 13:16–47; 1 Cor. 2:1–5. Memory Verse “The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). Cicero, a pagan Roman writer and orator, argued that the idea of ​​crucifixion (and even the mention of the cross) was unacceptable to a free Roman citizen, worthy of freedom and honor. Although Cicero died about half a century before Jesus was born, his statement illustrates the contempt with which the Romans viewed the cross. Crucifixion was such a terrible punishment that they should not even have thought about it. In contrast, Paul wrote: “The word of the cross . . . is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). For Paul, the cross of Calvary is the instrument of reconciliation between man and God (Eph. 2:16; Col. 1:20), the supreme symbol of Jesus’ humility (Phil. 2:8), the place where our enormous debt was paid (Col. 2:14). The cross is Paul’s answer to the problems in Corinth. As we read 1 Corinthians, we realize that the apostle is deeply concerned about a major problem: division in the church. He is so troubled that immediately after greeting (1:1-3) and thanking (vv. 4-9), he turns to this topic (vv. 10-17). This week we will examine the powerful message of the cross as the answer to this problem and other issues in Corinth.