Recall a time when you witnessed someone serving in a truly sacrificial way. What motivated that behavior? What was the result?

Read 1 Corinthians 4:1-2. Paul says stewards must be found faithful. What does faithfulness to the gospel look like in concrete terms? Where in your life is that faithfulness most tried?

Read 1 Corinthians 4:3-5. The social sciences have largely divided cultures into two cultural camps: Honor cultures place importance on socially conferred worth, reputation, and a positive social image, all of which can be granted or taken away by others. In contrast, dignity cultures place importance on context independent, individual, and inherent worth, which is less affected by the social regard of others. Where would you plot our current culture on this cultural continuum? How do these verses inform our cultural judgments?

Read 1 Corinthians 4:4-16. What contrasts does Paul make in this passage? What is the significance in the contrasts he makes?

In the sermon today, Robb referenced Jimmy Davis’ book, Cruciform: Living the Cross Shaped Life. There, Pastor Davis includes the diagram and instructions below. Take some time to work through the diagram and share with one another in your group.

Think about the places or relational networks you visit on at least a weekly basis: for example, Home, Church, Work, School, Extended Family, Community (includes stores, restaurants, the gym, etc.), Online Communities, Clubs, Teams, and so on.  Write the names of these places/networks on the “tables” in the diagram.  (I’ve found it best to use pencil, especially as you begin to add names later on.)

Think of at least three people with whom you regularly interact in each of those places, people who “sit” at each of those “tables.”  Write their names around or beside the tables.  (For the Home table you must include all the people with whom you live, even it’s more than three.  You can’t just choose your favorite three!)  Be sure to write small enough to leave room to add names to these tables.

Begin to serve the people in your section of tables by praying for them.  Pray for a different table each day if you wish.  Perhaps you could make a 3x5 prayer request card for each table, keeping a record of specific items to pray for each person at that table.  You’ll find that as you pray for them, you’ll begin to look at them with fresh eyes and a you‐first heart when you see them during the week.