1 Corinthians 8:1-13
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This is the eighth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians) from our 6PM service.
Questions and going deeper resources
Small group questions
CONNECT: How could you use your circumstance - right now - in more focused devotion to the Lord?
WARM-UP
- Have you met a “know-it-all”? Why can they be so difficult to be around?
- What governs the food you eat? Have you ever had to make cultural choices when travelling?
Read 1 Corinthians 8:1-3
- In Paul’s time, why was food offered as a sacrifice to idols? Do you see a difference between eating food you know is offered to idols compared with eating food that probably was offered to idols?
- What are the benefits of knowledge? What are the dangers of knowledge?
- Do you think that you’re ever in danger of being ‘puffed up’ by knowledge?
- What is better than knowledge? How is it better?
Read 1 Corinthians 8:4-8
- Why was it okay for the Corinthians to eat food sacrificed to idols?
- What does say Paul say about the difference between idols and God who we worship?
- What did Jesus say about food (see Mark 7)?
- What does it mean when Paul writes that “not everyone has this knowledge”? How are their “consciences defiled"?
Read 1 Corinthians 8:9-13
- Why should we be careful about what we do around others? Are we living according to others’ convictions instead of our own?
- Should we be willing to sacrifice our enjoyment for others? If we misuse our freedom, what are we doing?
- Should loving others ever be at the expense of truth? How do we work this out?
- What did Christ do for us? As a consequence of that, what should be willing to do for others?
- What other areas, besides food sacrificed to idols, does this principle apply to?
APPLY: How can your choices and actions this week be sensitive to the needs of others?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the freedom we have in Christ. Help us to be mindful of the experiences and needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ so that we don’t cause anyone to stumble but rather build each other up in love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Going deeper resources
On Your Frontline This Week: Are there any other Christians on your frontline that you could encourage, as you serve Jesus together?
Listen, Watch, and Read:
- TALK: “We have a ministry” by John Stott
- TALK: “Don’t cause others to stumble”
- TALK: “Why not to prize freedom too highly” by Hugh Palmer
- ARTICLE: “Christian: Will you negative split your life?” by Steve McAlpine:
Series Resources:
Some helpful resources for our Series:
- Series Overview Published by St Bart’s
- Website: “First Corinthians” by the Bible Project
- Course: “1 Corinthians” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course)
