Sunday, January 1, 2012, 10:00 a.m.
Allendale Baptist Church, Allendale, MI
Pastor Jonathan DeCou
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
BIG IDEA: We can agree to disagree without being disagreeable.
“Take care that this right of yours does not somehow become
a stumbling block to the weak.”
1 Corinthians 8:9 (ESV)
_______ what you _______ (& what you _______).
o Knowledge is _______.
o Knowledge is _______.
o Knowledge is _______.
_______ with _______.
o Love _______.
o Love _______.
Do not _______ your _______.
o Be sensitive to _______ _______ conscience.
o Be sensitive to _______ conscience.
BIG IDEA: We can agree to disagree without being disagreeable.
Read: Read Romans 14 & 15 and re-read 1 Corinthians 8:1-13.
Think: Reflect for a moment on your attitude toward disputable matters, and then ask yourself the following questions: In settling disputes with a spouse, parent or child, do you dig in your heels until you win, seek out a compromise, or just give in to the other individual? From verses 1, 4, 7 and 10, what side of the argument is each group taking? What “knowledge” do the people claim to have (v 1, 4-6)? Although Paul appears to affirm that knowledge, what does he mean by contrasting it with love (v 1b)? What else does Paul want these people to realize is involved in this dispute (v 7-9, 12)? What is meant by “weak brother” (v 9-13)? How can something be sin for one individual or group and not for another? What general principle is Paul applying here?
Do: Where in your life is one person’s “freedom” another’s “stumbling block”? Of the issues where you have been on the “weak” side, how did you feel toward those who ignored your concerns? Where you have been on the “strong” side, how did you feel about those who criticized or challenged you? Determine your strategy for dealing with disputable matters when others disagree with you.
