Lesson sequence
1 Corinthians 16: The Collection for the Saints
1 Corinthians 16:1–4; 1 Corinthians 16:5–9; 1 Corinthians 16:10–12; 1 Corinthians 16:13–18; 1 Corinthians 16:19–24
Paul gives practical instructions for a collection for the saints. In these verses, he teaches the Corinthians to give regularly, personally and in an orderly way so that the gift can be delivered well. This lesson also brings together Paul’s Travel Plans, Timothy and Apollos, Concluding Exhortations, Signature and Final Greetings.
Before you teach
This short part of the letter begins with “Now concerning”, showing Paul is addressing a specific matter. He speaks about a collection for the saints, tells the Corinthians to follow the same instruction given to the assemblies of Galatia, and explains how the gift should be prepared and carried to Jerusalem.
Describe the central teaching of 1 Corinthians 16: The Collection for the Saints, using two details from the reading. This passage teaches planned and accountable giving for God’s people. Paul’s plans show thoughtful care for the Corinthians, humble dependence on the Lord, and perseverance in useful work even when there is opposition. These verses teach that believers should treat gospel workers with respect and peace, while recognising that different servants may come at different times. This passage calls believers to live with strength and love, and to value people who faithfully serve and encourage the saints. Paul’s final words bring together Christian fellowship, love for the Lord Jesus Christ, grace, and love in one closing message.
Your lesson sequence
Use the teaching outline below for each session, with these reading and activity choices.
The Collection for the Saints
1 Corinthians 16:1–4
This passage teaches planned and accountable giving for God’s people.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for 1 Corinthians 16:1–4. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
Paul’s Travel Plans
1 Corinthians 16:5–9
Paul’s plans show thoughtful care for the Corinthians, humble dependence on the Lord, and perseverance in useful work even when there is opposition.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for 1 Corinthians 16:5–9. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
Timothy and Apollos
1 Corinthians 16:10–12
These verses teach that believers should treat gospel workers with respect and peace, while recognising that different servants may come at different times.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for 1 Corinthians 16:10–12. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
Concluding Exhortations
1 Corinthians 16:13–18
This passage calls believers to live with strength and love, and to value people who faithfully serve and encourage the saints.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for 1 Corinthians 16:13–18. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
Signature and Final Greetings
1 Corinthians 16:19–24
Paul’s final words bring together Christian fellowship, love for the Lord Jesus Christ, grace, and love in one closing message.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for 1 Corinthians 16:19–24. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
Welcome: 1 Corinthians 16: The Collection for the Saints
4 minIntroduce “The Collection for the Saints”, “Paul’s Travel Plans”, “Timothy and Apollos”, “Concluding Exhortations”, “Signature and Final Greetings” and locate 1 Corinthians 16:1–4; 1 Corinthians 16:5–9; 1 Corinthians 16:10–12; 1 Corinthians 16:13–18; 1 Corinthians 16:19–24. This passage teaches planned and accountable giving for God’s people. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for. Choose the reading for today’s session from the sequence above.
1 Corinthians 16:1, 1 Corinthians 16:3, 1 Corinthians 16:4
Read and explain the passage
8 minThe Collection for the Saints (1 Corinthians 16:1–4): Paul speaks about “the collection for the saints” and tells the Corinthians to do as he commanded the assemblies of Galatia. The gift is not presented as a random idea for one church only. These words show a common instruction being given to more than one group of believers.
Paul’s Travel Plans (1 Corinthians 16:5–9): Paul says he will come to them after passing through Macedonia, and he repeats that he is passing through Macedonia. This makes his route clear. The point here is simple and practical: he has a real travel plan, and the Corinthians are not his first stop on that route.
Timothy and Apollos (1 Corinthians 16:10–12): Paul says, “if Timothy comes”, which shows a possible visit rather than a certain one. If he arrives, the Corinthians are to make sure he is “with you without fear”. Paul gives a reason: Timothy “does the work of the Lord”, just as Paul does.
Concluding Exhortations (1 Corinthians 16:13–18): The passage begins with four brief commands: watch, stand firm in the faith, be courageous and be strong. The words are short and forceful. “In the faith” shows that their firmness is tied to what they believe, not just personal determination or confidence.
Signature and Final Greetings (1 Corinthians 16:19–24): Paul begins by passing on greetings from “the assemblies of Asia”. He then names Aquila and Priscilla, who greet the Corinthians warmly “in the Lord”, along with the assembly in their house. These lines show that believers in different places are linked in shared fellowship and can send care across distance.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “The Collection for the Saints”, “Paul’s Travel Plans”, “Timothy and Apollos”, “Concluding Exhortations”, “Signature and Final Greetings”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
1 Corinthians 16:1, 1 Corinthians 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:10, 1 Corinthians 16:13, 1 Corinthians 16:19
Discuss the details and their meaning
6 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What repeated pattern does Paul give for setting aside the collection?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Paul’s final words bring together Christian fellowship, love for the Lord Jesus Christ, grace, and love in one closing message. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
1 Corinthians 16:2, 1 Corinthians 16:12, 1 Corinthians 16:21
Make and respond: Message and response chart
9 minWork on “1 Corinthians 16: The Collection for the Saints: Message and response chart”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “The Collection for the Saints”, “Paul’s Travel Plans”, “Timothy and Apollos”, “Concluding Exhortations”, “Signature and Final Greetings” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
1 Corinthians 16:1, 1 Corinthians 16:13, 1 Corinthians 16:24
Closing: return to Signature and Final Greetings
3 minRevisit 1 Corinthians 16:19–24. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Signature and Final Greetings and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
1 Corinthians 16:19, 1 Corinthians 16:22, 1 Corinthians 16:24
Questions to explore
What repeated pattern does Paul give for setting aside the collection?
Look for the time marker and the instruction in verse 2 about when and how often saving should happen.
1 Corinthians 16:2
What does Paul say about Apollos coming to Corinth?
Read 1 Corinthians 16:12 carefully and compare Paul’s strong urging with Apollos’s own decision about the timing.
1 Corinthians 16:12
Why does Paul mention that the greeting is written with his own hand?
Base your answer on what the verse says directly: Paul marks this part of the letter as personally written by him.
1 Corinthians 16:21
Make, think or respond
1 Corinthians 16: The Collection for the Saints: Message and response chart
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- coloured pencils or crayons
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “Instruction or encouragement”, “Reason given”, “Verse reference”.
- Read 1 Corinthians 16:1–4; 1 Corinthians 16:5–9; 1 Corinthians 16:10–12; 1 Corinthians 16:13–18. Use “The Collection for the Saints”, “Paul’s Travel Plans”, “Timothy and Apollos”, “Concluding Exhortations” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Talk through your notes with an adult. Add a word, drawing or short quotation that helps you remember each part.
- Choose one instruction or encouragement and write a practical response, explaining its connection with the reading.
The finished sheet keeps the details of 1 Corinthians 16: The Collection for the Saints connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, read the selected verses aloud, prepare the three panels and let them respond with drawings or a few words. Use The Collection for the Saints as the retelling prompt.
- For older children, add verse references to the response sheet and explain a connection between The Collection for the Saints and the final part of the reading.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read 1 Corinthians 16:1–4; 1 Corinthians 16:5–9; 1 Corinthians 16:10–12; 1 Corinthians 16:13–18; 1 Corinthians 16:19–24. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
1 Corinthians 16
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I commanded the assemblies of Galatia, you do likewise.
2 On the first day of every week, let each one of you save as he may prosper, that no collections are made when I come.
3 When I arrive, I will send whoever you approve with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.
4 If it is appropriate for me to go also, they will go with me.
5 I will come to you when I have passed through Macedonia, for I am passing through Macedonia.
6 But with you it may be that I will stay with you, or even winter with you, that you may send me on my journey wherever I go.
7 For I do not wish to see you now in passing, but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.
8 But I will stay at Ephesus until Pentecost,
9 for a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear, for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.
11 Therefore let no one despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brothers.
12 Now concerning Apollos the brother, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers, but it was not at all his desire to come now; but he will come when he has an opportunity.
13 Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong!
14 Let all that you do be done in love.
15 Now I beg you, brothers—you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to serve the saints—
16 that you also be in subjection to such, and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.
17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; for that which was lacking on your part, they supplied.
18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge those who are like that.
19 The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, together with the assembly that is in their house.
20 All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 This greeting is by me, Paul, with my own hand.
22 If any man doesn’t love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be cursed. Come, Lord!
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.