Children's Book of 1 Corinthians

Children's Book of 1 Corinthians - Chapters 9-12

I have written this for children, based solely on the Word of God, but condensed for them... and used Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary for clarification of some words. These chapters contain difficult teachings on head coverings, the Lord's supper and spiritual gifts; I have simplified them to carry the basic teachings of the chapters, without going into detail.. my added comments are in italics, and there is a Memory Verse at the end of each chapter.

Chapter 9

(Paul speaking) Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus Christ the Lord? are you not my work in the Lord? My answer to those that question me is this, Don't we have power to eat and to drink? Don't we have power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles? ..Nevertheless we have not oused this power; but suffer all things, because we do not want to interrupt the gospel of Christ. The Lord has ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Though I preach the gospel, I do not glory in anything, woe is to me if I do not preach the gospel. If I do this willingly, I have a reward. What is my reward? Truly, when I preach the gospel, I do not desire anything in return. I have made myself a servant to all, that I might gain the more (souls saved by faith in Jesus)

Unto the Jews I became as a Jew, so I could gain the Jews. To those outside the law, I became as though I were outside the law (a Gentile) so I might gain them that are outside the law. To the weak I became weak, I am made all things to all men, so I might by all means save some. And I do this for the gospel's sake.

Memory Verse: 9:16 ".......woe is to me if I do not preach the gospel"

Chapter 10

Brothers, I would have you understand that all our fathers were under the cloud and passed through the sea (see our children's story The Exodus) and all drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, (see our story Manna and Water in the Wilderness) and that Rock was Christ. But God was not pleased with many of them, and they were destroyed in the wilderness. And so these things are for our examples (things that we can learn from), so don't desire evil things, like they did. Let any man that thinks he stands, (trusting in himself, instead of trusting the Lord) pay attention so that he does not fall.

There is no temptation you have that is not also with every other man, but God is faithful, and will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able to bear, and with the temptation he will make a way to escape it so you may be able to bear it. (by prayer and trusting the Lord to see you through)

Isn't the cup which we bless, the communion of the blood of Christ? (this will be more fully explained in Chapter 11) The bread we break, is this not the communion of the body of Christ? We being many are one, for we all take part of that one bread (which is Christ)

You can't drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils (you can't be friends of the world and in fellowship with the Lord). Are we stronger than the Lord? The earth is the Lord's and the everything in it.

Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Do not offend anyone.

Memory Verse: 10:13 "There is no temptation you have that is not also with every other man, but God is faithful, and will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able to bear, and with the temptation he will make a way to escape it so you may be able to bear it." (by prayer and trusting the Lord to see you through)

(its a long memory verse, but it will see you through every trial that comes your way)

Chapter 11

(The ordinances that follow take place in the meetings of the church)

Be a follower of me, even as I also am of Christ. Remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances (a rule given by an authority). I want you to know that the head of man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God. Men who pray are not to cover their head, but women that pray are to cover their heads, because the man is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of the man. The woman was created for the man. Doesn't nature teach you that it is shameful for a man to have long hair? But to a woman it is a glory for her to have long hair, for her hair is given her for a covering. But if anyone quarrels about this, we do not quarrel, neither do the churches of God.

I have received of the Lord that which I deliver to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread: and when he gave thanks, he broke it and said "Take eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me." In the same way he took the cup, and said "This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do, in remembrance of me." (these are emblems, they are bread and wine, but they are a symbol of the Lord's Jesus body on the cross, and his precious blood that was shed for us.)

As often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you show the Lord's death till he comes. And so whoever eats this bread and drinks this cup without examining himself, (looking at himself to see if he is walking in obedience and in fellowship with the Lord) shall be guilty. And because of this many are weak, and sick and some die. (people who take the bread and wine when they know they are being disobedient to the things the bible teaches) If we judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, so that we will not be condemned with the world.

No memory verse for this chapter.

Chapter 12

Brothers I want you to understand about spiritual gifts. No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are different gifts, but the same spirit. One is given by the Spirit wisdom, another the word of knowledge, another faith, another the gift of healing. to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of tongues (real languages), to another the meaning of that which was spoken in tongues. the Spirit gives to every man as he chooses.

For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, (the body is all believers and the Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the body of believers.) whether we are Jews, or Gentiles, servants, or free people, we have all been filled with one Spirit (the Holy Spirit)

The body is not made of one part, but of many parts. If the foot says to the hand "Because I am not a hand I am not part of the body" does that mean the foot is not part of the body? And if the ear says "Because I am not an eye, I am not part of the body" does that mean that the ear is not part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would we be able to hear? If the whole body were an ear how would we be able to smell? But now God has set each part of the body into the body (our physical body) as it has pleased him. And the eye cannot say to the hand "I have no need of you", nor can the head say to the feet "I have no need of you". No, even more, those parts of the physical body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body (of believers) which we think to be less worthy of honour, we give to these believers more honour.

God has fit the body (of believers) together so there is no separation in the body, so that each one should care for the other.

When one suffers, all suffer with him, when one is honoured, all rejoice with him. You are the body of Christ, and each is a member. Now you are part of the body of Christ. And God has made some in the church apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, and then miracles, gifts of healings, helps, and different tongues. (These things were written when the church was first formed, when the apostles were alive, there is some question whether or not some of these gifts are still for today.. some people think some of them ended when our bible was completed, and some people think they are all for today)

Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? do all work miracles? have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? Eagerly desire the best gifts, but I will show you a much better way.

Memory Verse: 12:13 "For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we are Jews, or Gentiles, servants, or free people, we have all been filled with one Spirit"

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Continue on to Children's Book of 1 Corinthians - Chapter 13