Some lessons are harder to teach than others, and this one is among them. In this episode of our Third Quarter 2026 study of First and Second Corinthians, we work through Lesson 4, "Sin in the Church," focusing on 1 Corinthians chapters 5, 6, and 7.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers about real and painful situations: a case of sexual immorality the church was tolerating, members suing one another in public courts, and questions they had raised about marriage and singleness. Through these chapters, we talk about why the gospel never gives permission to sin, and why sin always carries a corrosive effect. We also reflect on the example of David, whose later years were marked by consequences that followed his sin, as a reminder of how lasting the effects of sin can be.

Yet the heart of this conversation is grace. Drawing on 1 Corinthians 6:11, we discuss how believers were washed, sanctified, and justified in Christ, receiving a new identity and a new way of life. We also consider how a congregation can address sin in a way that aims at restoration rather than damage, keeping the wellbeing of the person and the church in view.

For those who teach, we offer a practical thought: handle this subject with care, since class members may be quietly wrestling with shame. Lean on open ended questions that invite reflection and personal experience rather than questions that expect a single answer.

Next week we continue with Lesson 5, "All to the Glory of God."

This lesson is studied during the week of July 11–17 and taught in class on Sabbath, July 18.

Executive Producer: Carolina Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Producer: Henrique Gomes
Editing: Henrique Gomes
Logo: Becky Carpenter