Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

In Book IV, The chapter begins with questions.  After you have read the questions, take time to reflect on them; and if you know the answers write them in your journal to share your thoughts later with someone.

1. While you are out shopping or going to a movie or leaving a meeting or coming out of a sports event or play and your stomach starts to makes growling noises or “talks” to you.  What do you do?  Stomach talk is a way that your body communicates to you that your body needs nourishment; it needs food – you are hungry!
2. When you want to read a novel or textbook or purchase a “how to” manual and it is not available at home or through a friend.  What do you do?  Where do you go?  Evidently, your thought, your need and your desire ignite a craving for knowledge and understanding?
3. When you want to expand your knowledge as you work toward a career or profession because your goal is to have a better life style, what do you do?  Where do you go?
4. When you or a relative become very ill and there is no relief in the medicine cabinet at home; it is very late at night or early in the morning; and the need for relief or care is urgent, what do you do?  Where do you go?
5. When you have a need to “let your hair down” or “relax” or “celebrate” by having some fun with others, especially with familiar people, what do you do?  Where do you go?

Above are discussion items about a few of the bodies and/or places that can meet or address the issues that you confront in your daily lives.  These places address your need for food, words, edification, care, and fellowship.

NOW, the Apostle Paul, in his First Letter to the Corinthians, enlightens the reader about the relative-connectiveness of an organism called “body.”   Unlike the bodies mentioned above, the “body” that Paul refers to meets the need of those who seek food, words, edification, care, and fellowship.  He does not tell us what the “body” is; however, Paul tells us its “substance;” and, he tells us its “body parts.”

Many have houses and/or automobiles. Hence, look at your approach to know a vehicle. What do we do with it?  Each part has its own particular function.  Are you as attentive to them, as you are to your own body?  You clean the exterior: the frame, grille and the windows.  You make sure the exterior parts are working property:  the side-view mirrors, windshield wipers, tires, hub caps, front and rear lights, and the antenna.  Periodically, you make sure the interior is cared for:  the instrument panel, gear shift, steering wheel, locks window controls, seat adjustment controls, upholstery, carpet, and the tray for coins, pamphlets, cups, cigarettes, and cell-phone receptacles.   However, we often overlook the most important parts of the vehicle that need maintenance or care (the covered-up parts) – the parts that are not visible – the parts under the hood.  Those parts that are not readily seen are the battery, radiator, engine, ignition, oil and receptor, transition, brakes, drums, bearings, gas drum, exhaust, and all the pipes, electrical systems, and even a small part – the cap that holds the air in the tire!  Very similarly, to Paul’s metaphor about the human body in this text, each part of the body of a vehicle has a specific responsibility or task to perform for the whole body to work efficiently and effectively.

Read again, 1 Corinthians 12 and share your comments.