LIFE TOGETHER | OCTOBER 12, 2025
Chip Henderson
Sermon Highlights
Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 11:1-16
In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul addressed confusion in the Corinthian church about order and honor in worship. He began by praising them for holding to the teachings passed down from Christ, then corrected areas where their gatherings had become distracting and divided.
Paul reminded them that God established a divine order meant to promote peace, not inequality: God is the head of Christ, Christ is the head of man, and man is the head of woman. This design reflects function, not worth. Even within the Trinity, Jesus submitted to the Father while remaining fully equal.
Both men and women prayed and prophesied in worship, using their gifts to honor God. The problem was not who could lead, but how they were leading. Some were using freedom in ways that blurred God’s design and drew attention to themselves instead of to Him.
Paul’s concern was deeper than outward appearance; he cared about the heart behind it. Worship should never draw attention to ourselves or cause confusion about God’s design. He urged believers to lead with humility, respect, and gratitude so that their lives and worship would honor God and strengthen His church.
INTRO
Icebreaker
If someone looked through your old photos, what outfit or hairstyle would you be most embarrassed to explain?
Transition to Discussion
How we present ourselves can communicate more than we realize. In Corinth, that became a problem during worship. Let’s see what Paul wanted believers to understand about honoring God and others in how they lead and live.
GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Read 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 as a group.
Who in your life has modeled what it looks like to follow Jesus in how they lead and how they treat others?
Why do outward choices sometimes say more about our hearts than our words do?
In Corinth, how people dressed in worship caused confusion and distraction. What are some ways our own choices might distract others from focusing on God?
Paul reminded believers that God designed order and authority to bring peace, not competition. How can that perspective shape the way men and women serve together in the church today?
What makes it hard to honor authority while still remembering that all believers are equal in value before God?
How do you decide what is appropriate or honoring to God when culture and personal freedom pull in different directions?
How might your worship and relationships look different if you focused more on humility and honoring others above yourself?
NEXT STEP AND PRAYER
This passage reminds us that worship is not just about what happens on the outside but what’s taking place in the heart. Paul called the church to show humility and honor in how they live, lead, and relate to one another. When we honor God and others, our worship becomes more genuine and our relationships stronger.
Let’s take some time to ask God:
- Is there any area of my life where I’ve made worship or leadership more about me than about honoring You?
- How can I show greater respect for the people You’ve placed in my life and the roles You’ve given us to play?
- What would it look like for me to lead and serve with humility this week?
Write down what comes to mind. Keep it as a reminder that true worship begins with the posture of your heart. I’ll give you a few minutes to pray and reflect, and then I’ll close our time in prayer.