Verse 1-5: Do you think the modern church has suffered the same issues as the Israelites?
Do your kids turn out to have the same values as you just because they grew up in your house?

Verse 6: Another way to read this passage is “learn from others’ mistakes.” What are some of the mistakes people made in the Old Testament that we would be wise not to repeat? Are we capable of falling into the same traps as the Israelites?

Verse 7: Reference Exodus 32:6. The sin of the Israelites was not just that they had created a golden image to worship, but also that they completely ignored what God had done for them, they celebrated their new freedom carelessly, and made an idol of themselves. They cared more about their own pleasure than following God. Why do we so quickly forget what God does for us?
Do rational people still make idols?

Verse 8: Reference Numbers 25:1-9. Why did God have 23,000 Israelites killed? What is the cost of sexual immorality?

Verse 9: Reference Numbers 21:5-9. Why is grumbling about God’s timing and direction in our life taken so seriously? Why would God send poisonous snakes among people who were just tired of having to live every day in uncomfortable conditions?

The Israelites complained a lot about how good they had it in Egypt even though they were slaves. Today we are tempted to lament how we have to endure not being able to party or drink with our friends, having to go to church on Sundays, having to change how we dress, change who we date, and how we spend our time because the way of self-serving is so attractive. Yet it’s the way into slavery to sin. How do we build up patience with God’s way?

Verse 10: Reference Numbers 16:41-50. Is God cruel for destroying whole families for the grumbling of a few men?

Verse 11-12: Does God ever use the foolishness of others to teach us lessons? Why is it that we see hr bad behaviors of our parents and friends yet we don’t learn from them?

Verse 13: If we fall into temptation or we not saved? Why do we fall into temptation? Is there always a way out?

Verse 14: If Paul is calling the church in Corinth to flee from idolatry, why doesn’t he just say to flee from Corinth? Idolatry is everywhere. What exactly do we need to flee?

Verse 15-17: What’s Paul’s point? Can we serve both God and something else? We cannot serve both God and something else. We are only capable of being devoted to God or something else. What are some idols we struggle with? See Colossians 3:5.

Verse 18-22: Why is God so jealous? Why does he need all of our attention? Intimacy is fueled by exclusivity.

Verse 23: What is Paul saying? Just because you’re saved doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want. Romans 6:15-18

Verse 24: Selfish people ask what they can get away with. Sacrificial love requires us to ask how what we do benefits others. Do you agree with Paul that no one should seek his own good? Isn’t that communist?

Verse 25-26: Christians are called to live in peace with the world. Do you think it’s right to expect the world to conform to our standard?

Verse 27-28: Why can’t Paul just establish firm ground rules? Why isn’t he black and white?

Verse 29: Don’t be too quick to judge based on matters of conscience. God’s promise isn’t defined by rules but by a relationship. Why do we create rules that are hard for others to follow?

Verse 31: How is God glorified by what we eat or drink?

Verse 32-33: We are called to not be offensive. We are called to preach the gospel so that others may hear and believe, even if that causes me to lose an advantage. What do you need to lose so that others may gain?