Discussion Questions

How does Bercot’s observation that “the Holy Spirit, of course, knew” later Christians would read 1 Corinthians, while Paul was directly addressing the Corinthians, shape the way we understand God’s wisdom in giving Scripture through real historical situations? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Bercot says the Holy Spirit knew later Christians would read 1 Corinthians, even though Paul was writing to the Corinthians. How does this help us understand God’s wisdom in using real events to give us Scripture?

Bercot stresses that Paul’s letter was “not written in a vacuum” but came after eighteen months of teaching, personal example, prior correspondence, reports, and expected follow-up. How should this challenge the way modern Christians often read isolated Bible passages as though they were written directly and only to us? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Bercot says Paul’s letter was not written by itself, but after much teaching, example, earlier letters, reports, and planned visits. How should this change the way we read Bible verses that seem isolated?

Paul praised the Corinthians for holding firmly to the traditions he had delivered to them. What does this chapter suggest about the role of apostolic oral teaching, and why might that be uncomfortable for Christians who assume Scripture should always be interpreted apart from early Christian practice? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Paul praised the Corinthians for keeping the traditions he taught them. What does this show about spoken teaching from the apostles, and why might this trouble Christians who want to interpret Scripture apart from early Christian practice?

Bercot argues that the Corinthians knew what Paul meant about head coverings because they had watched Paul, Aquila, and Priscilla live out the practice. How should the visible obedience of apostolic Christians affect our interpretation of disputed commands today? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Bercot says the Corinthians knew what Paul meant about head coverings because they had seen Paul, Aquila, and Priscilla practice it. How should the example of early Christians guide us when commands are debated today?

When Paul says, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ,” Bercot emphasizes that the Corinthians had seen Paul’s life firsthand. What does this reveal about God’s intention for Christian teaching to be embodied in lived examples rather than reduced to abstract doctrine? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Paul said, “Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” The Corinthians had seen Paul’s life up close. What does this show about God’s plan for Christian teaching to be lived out, not just explained as ideas?

Bercot notes that the Corinthians had seen Paul baptize people, share communion, and participate in love feasts, so they knew how these practices were carried out. How might early Christian “course of performance” challenge modern assumptions that churches are free to redesign ordinances according to preference or convenience? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Bercot says the Corinthians had seen Paul baptize people, share communion, and take part in love feasts. How might these early examples challenge the idea that churches can change these practices however they like?

The chapter points out that what we call 1 Corinthians was preceded by another letter we no longer possess, and that Paul was answering questions the Corinthians had written to him. How should this humble our confidence when we claim certainty about passages whose original background we only partly know? JumpstartAnother way to ask: The chapter says Paul wrote an earlier letter we no longer have, and that he was answering questions from the Corinthians. How should this make us more humble when we feel sure about passages whose background we only partly know?

In the chair-contract illustration, the ambiguous written agreement is clarified by how the original parties actually performed it over time. How persuasive is Bercot’s argument that ambiguous Scripture should be clarified by the known practices of the disciples of the apostles? JumpstartAnother way to ask: In the chair-contract example, an unclear agreement is explained by how the first people carried it out. How strong is Bercot’s argument that unclear Scripture should be explained by the known practices of the apostles’ disciples?

Many modern Christians emphasize personal Bible interpretation, individual conscience, and freedom from tradition. How does Bercot’s “course of performance” principle confront that mindset, especially when early Christian practice conflicts with what feels normal in contemporary evangelical churches? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Many Christians today stress personal Bible reading, individual conscience, and freedom from tradition. How does Bercot’s “course of performance” idea challenge this, especially when early Christian practice differs from modern church habits?

If God preserved not only Scripture but also historical evidence of how early disciples understood apostolic teaching, what concrete changes might serious Christians need to make in their study habits, doctrinal confidence, church practices, or willingness to obey unpopular teachings? JumpstartAnother way to ask: If God preserved both Scripture and evidence of how early Christians understood the apostles, what real changes should serious Christians make in how they study, form beliefs, run churches, or obey unpopular teachings?