In 1 Corinthians 5–7 Paul continued to give counsel to the Saints in Corinth. He dealt with important questions like: What kind of association should Saints have with sinners? When is it all right for Saints to sue one another? Why is it better for marriage to come after a mission? Look for Paul’s counsel on these issues and think about how they relate to you.
Studying the Scriptures
Do two of the following activities (A–D) as you study 1 Corinthians 5–7.
Interview Your Bishop
Ask your bishop to explain how a bishop’s disciplinary council helps the Church and helps the person involved to repent and come back to full fellowship. Read 1 Corinthians 5 and write about the similarities you find between those verses and what your bishop explained.
List the Effects of Sin
Paul chastised the Saints in Corinth for rationalizing their sins. He reminded them that the Spirit could not dwell in them if they were unrighteous. As you read 1 Corinthians 6:9–20, list at least five sins that Paul mentioned and explain how those sins affect the sinner, the sinner’s family, and the Church.
Summarize What Paul Taught
As you read 1 Corinthians 7:10–11, substitute the word divorce for “depart” (“put away” also means divorce), and in verses 12–13 substitute nonmember for the phrase “that believeth not.” After reading these verses with the substitutions, write a paragraph describing what you think Paul was teaching.
Write a Lesson
Read 1 Corinthians 7:8–9, 29–35 as if Paul were speaking to missionaries (notice the Joseph Smith Translation changes) and answer the following questions:
How would these teachings be helpful for full-time missionaries?
How might a girlfriend or boyfriend at home distract a missionary from their calling?