•           the thesis – Paul’s thesis, ? ????? t?? sta????, “the word of the cross” (v. 18), stands over against s?f?a ?????, “wisdom of words” (v. 17).   The word that Paul proclaims is a word which presents itself as foolishness to the lost.  Note too, that Paul plays with a negative and positive evaluation of s?f?a, “wisdom.”[1]

•           event of the cross – In Pauline theology the new division is not so much predicated on their response to the message of the cross as it is on the event of the cross and resurrection itself.  That is, the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus for Paul marked the “turning of the ages,” whereby God decisively judged and condemned the present age and is in process of bringing it to an end.  Those who still belong to it, therefore, are in process of “perishing” with it.   From this “old age” point of view the message of the cross is foolishness.[2]

•           an ancient voice– The gospel produces the exact opposite of what people want and expect, but it is the very fact which persuades them to accept it in the end.  The cross seems to be a cause of offense, but far from simply offending, it attracts and calls believers to itself. [3]

 

•           What makes a speech or lecture attractive to you?  How much of lies in its format?  How much of it lies in the speaker?  How much of it lies in the actual ideas presented?  

•           What is the “message of the cross”?  Describe it in a way that would be palatable to a seventh grader.

•           What has the message of the cross meant in your life?

 

•           block #1 – Draw images of the cross from our pop-culture, or perhaps show several images of how artists have portrayed the cross throughout history. 

•           block #2 – Shift to the biblical presentation of the “message of the cross” via Paul’s discussion.

•           block #3 – In our salvation journey the language of the cross is also our language of struggle and pain—we all bear our peculiar crosses daily.    No matter how we adorn it, the symbol points to one who bore in his body on the tree the ugly and embarrassing death that becomes for us good news.  Out of injustice comes justice for the whole world.  Out of chaos comes peace for the whole world.

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[1] Hans Conzelmann, Hermeneia Series: 1 Corinthians (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1985, p. 43.

[2] Gordan Fee, New Int’l Commentary on the NT: 1 Corinthians (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1987, page 68.

[3] Chrysostom in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture VII (InterVarsity, 1999), page 15.