Children's Book of 1 Corinthians

Children's Book of 1 Corinthians - Chapters 1-4

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. My added comments are in italics, and there is a Memory Verse at the end of each chapter.

Chapter 1

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, to the church of God at Corinth, to them that are sanctified (that means set apart) in Christ Jesus, and called to be saints (by God) with all that call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank my God on your behalf for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ, so that you do not lack in any gift, while you wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall confirm you to the end, so that you might be without blame in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who called you to the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

I plead with you brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same things, and have no divisions (that means some people think one thing, and some people think another) among you, but that you be joined together in the same mind... Because I have heard that there are problems among you, that you are divided. One says he is of me, another is of someone else, but is Christ divided? Christ sent me to preach the gospel but not with man's wisdom because then the cross of Christ would not be effective. For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those that perish, but to us which are saved, it is the power of God. Because it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise.. hasn't God made the wisdom of this world foolish? . In the wisdom of God, the world in its wisdom did not know God, but it pleased God to save those that believe by the foolishness of preaching.

The Jews look for signs, and the Greeks (Gentiles, all other men) look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, who is a stumbling block to the Jews (that means many of the Jewish people do not believe that the Lord Jesus is their promised Messiah), and foolishness to the Greeks. But to those that are (the) called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ (is) the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Not many men that are wise in their own hearts, not many mighty men, not many noble men are called. God has chosen the foolish things and the weak things, and things which are hated, to confuse the things which are mighty.

and the things of this world that are despised (hated) God has chosen.. but you are in Christ Jesus, who of God is made wisdom and righteousness to us, and (because of him we have) sanctification (we are set apart) and redemption (delivered from the bondage of sin to a new life in Christ). He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.

Memory Verse: 1:18 " For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those that perish, but to us which are saved, it is the power of God."

Chapter 2

When I came to you, I did not come with perfect speech, or wisdom, because I do not want to know anything except Jesus Christ, and him crucified, and when I was with you I was weak, and fearful, and trembled. But my speech and my preaching was not with man's wisdom, but in the power of the Spirit, so your faith would be in the power of God. We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery which God established before the world for our glory.. as it is written, Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, and the heart of man has not imagined the things which God has prepared for them that love him. But God has shown us these things by his Spirit. We have not received the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God, so we can know the things that are freely given us of God. And we speak these things, not by the wisdom of man's teachings, but that which the Holy Spirit teaches, and we compare spiritual things with spiritual things. But a man who is not a Christian doesn't understand spiritual things, they are foolishness to him, and he cannot know spiritual things because they must be understood by the leading of the Spirit. But a spiritual person judges all things.

He that is spiritual judges all things, but he is judged by no man. Who has known the mind of the Lord? But we have the mind of Christ.

Memory Verse: 2:9 ".....eye has not seen, ear has not heard, and the heart of man has not imagined the things which God has prepared for them that love him."

Chapter 3

I could not speak to you as as I do to spiritual people because you are carnal (giving in to the desires of the flesh) I speak to you as I do to babies in Christ. (newly saved)

I am not able to teach you strong things, because you are still carnal, there are problems among you. One person says "I am of Paul; and another says I am of Apollos.. is this not carnal? Who is Paul and who is Apollos but ministers by whom you believed (the gospel).. I planted (the gospel) Apollos watered (taught more about the gospel) but God gave the increase (Salvation is of the Lord.)

Every man shall receive his own reward according to his own work. We are workers together with God. No other foundation can be laid than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Every man's work (for God) will be made known, and tried by God. The day will come when every man's work shall be tested by fire. If any man's work remains, he shall receive a reward, and if any man's work is burned, he shall suffer loss (of rewards) but he himself shall be saved.

Don't you know that the Spirit of God lives in you? If any man seems to be wise in the things of the world, let him become a fool so he might be wise in spiritual things. The Lord knows the thoughts of men, so let no man take glory in other men. You are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

Memory Verse: 3:23 "You are Christ's, and Christ is God's."

Chapter 4

It is required in stewards (ministers of Christ) that a man be found to be faithful. He that judges me is the Lord

Don't judge anything ahead of time, the Lord will bring to light the things in men's hearts and then every man shall praise God. Learn not to think of yourself better than another.. who makes you different from another? what have you got that you did not receive (from God)? If you did receive it, why do you glory as if you did not receive it?.

I think that God has set forth the apostles last, we are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. we are weak, but you are strong, you are honourable, but we are despised... I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

Even though you have many to teach you the things of Christ, in Christ Jesus have I given you birth through the gospel. (that means that Paul preached to them and they were saved). And so I plead with you to follow me.

Because of this, I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved son, (that means that Timothy was probably saved by Paul's preaching and has become very close to Paul) and faithful in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways that are in Christ, that I teach every where in every church. Some of you are thinking highly of themselves, as though I will not come to you, but I will come to you shortly if it is the will of the Lord, and I will know the power of God.. The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. Would you rather I came to you with a big stick (like to punish you) or in love, and in meekness (strength under control).

Memory Verse: 4:21 "The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power."
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continued in Children's Book of 1 Corinthians - Chapters 5-8

V. Gross/'06