OUTLINE
I. THE PRIMARY MISSION OF A SERVANT OF CHRIST IS NOT TO BAPTIZE (vv. 14-17a)
II. THE PRIMARY MISSION OF A SERVANT OF CHRIST IS TO PREACH THE GOSPEL (v. 17a)
III. HOW MUST A FAITHFUL SERVANT PREACH THE GOSPEL? (v. 17b)
IV. WHY MUST A SERVANT OF CHRIST PREACH THE GOSPEL PLAINLY? (v. 17c)
QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION
1. What does Paul thank God for in verse 14? How does verse 15 clarify why Paul gave thanks for this? What can we learn from verse 16?
2. According to verse 17, what had Christ sent Paul to do? Do you think Paul means to belittle water baptism here, or does he have something else in mind? What do you think Paul means by “Not with eloquent words of wisdom”? How would this lead to “the cross of Christ [being] emptied of its power”?