1 Corinthians 8
When love replaces the rules of legalism, we are freed up to focus on how people are doing more than on what they’re doing. Choosing to operate from a position of love goes against everything this world teaches. It requires us to take a back seat and put others first. It requires sacrifice of personal interests in order to build up the faith of others. As members of the church, a spiritual family, we are called to display love in the same manner Jesus did.
Read 1 Corinthians 8:1-6:
- When you make decisions, what usually comes to your mind first: being logical or being loving?
- What are some behaviors that Christians you know have questions or hesitations about?
- For Paul, what did idols represent? How did this influence the decision of some Christians in his audience to eat the meat being sacrificed to them?
- What could the “knowledgeable” group of people have done to help those who were not comfortable with eating food sacrificed to idols?
Read 1 Corinthians 8:7-13:
- How does verse 8 apply to the decisions we face regarding the gray areas of obedience to Christ?
- How can you ensure that you aren’t becoming a stumbling block to others?
- Who did Paul consider “weak brothers”? Was he using this term negatively?
- Do you know where your friends are strong and weak? If you don’t know, what does this reveal about the areas in which your relationships need to grow?
Taking it home:
- As a spiritual family, what can we do to make sure our decisions bring glory to God and spur other believers on?
- How do we demonstrate with our actions that we consider the spiritual health of others more important than exercising our rights?
Other Scriptures to Engage with this week:
2 Samuel 24 • Galatians 5:1-15 • Psalm 119:105-112 • Numbers 6:1-21 • 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 • Titus 1:1-2:1.