Love Sees

Love Sees

Some people have different convictions. (4-7)

Failing to be considerate of another person is sin. (8-12)

No inconvenience is off-limits. (13)

For the Next Lesson: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

1. Read verses 1-3. The second half of verse 1 provides a theme that applies to all of 1 Corinthians chapters 8-14. How can knowledge puff us up and make us arrogant? How have you struggled to be proud of knowledge you have possessed? How does love build-up (see also 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)? Why do you think Paul contrasts love with knowledge? How is loving each other tied to loving God (see also Matthew 22:37-40 and 1 John 4:19-21)? How would you define love? On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the highest), how loving are you? Explain.

2. Read verses 4-6.What point does Paul make about idols compared to God? Why do you think it was important for Paul to make this distinction?

3. Read verses 7-9. Who is a “weak” person in this situation according to verse 7? What and how is this “weak” person’s conscious “defiled”? What truth does Paul establish in verse 8? Why is verse 9 such important advice?

4. Read verses 10-13. How would you explain in your own words the situation Paul describes in verses 10-12? How are the “knowledgeable” person’s actions sin against his brother and God as stated in verse 12? How does verse 13 summarize verses 1-12?

5. So what. Read verse 1 followed by verse 9 then verse 13. In your own words, summarize how we should approach controversial issues in the Christian life. In what areas/situations do we have freedom and “rights” as Christians that could cause another Christian to stumble? Have you ever been in a situation when you caused someone else to stumble, or perhaps another person was causing you to stumble? How so? What prevents us from giving up our “rights” as Christians? What motivates us to surrender our rights? What are you taking away from this passage that specifically challenges or encourages you?