SUNDAY SCHOOL
July 13, 2014
Theme for the Month: LIVING AS A COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS
TOPIC: LOVE BUILDS UP
Lesson Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8
++GOLDEN TEXT++
Take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9
**THE LESSON EXPLAINED**
A. ONE GOD, THE FATHER (1 Corinthians 8:1-8)
In the previous chapters, Paul had addressed several issues in his response to the Corinthians questions. However, the question in Chapter 8 is about the liberty of Christians to eat food sacrificed to idols. Of course, the question became necessary because most of the meat sold in the markets had first been offered to idols. Therefore, some Christians believed that eating such meat would make them unclean. Furthermore, a clique among them had already claimed superiority of knowledge. Therefore, in his attempt to address the matter, Paul acknowledged the fact that we all possess knowledge (v.1), as he also compared knowledge that puffs up with pride and love that builds. He confirmed the non-existence of their so-called "gods" whether in heaven or on earth. Paul testified to the authenticity of the one true God, the Father and Lord, Jesus Christ through whom all things were created (John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-16). Unfortunately, not all the people understood this truth because some of them were already accustomed to idols. Paul, however, asserted that what ultimately matters not whether some foods are ritually clean or not because they have been sacrificed to the gods. Rather what matters is our relationship with God, who is the Creator of all things (v.8).
The message of Paul to the church of today is that one may well have freedom in Christ, but it must be used with discretion for sake of the weak. Christians are free to engage in social practices and customs not specifically forbidden by biblical commands, yet the Holy may prompt us to refrain from some legitimate practices just like Paul was kept from exercising his liberty for the sake of the weak in conscience.
**DISCUSSION TIME**
I. Identify different areas of freedom that may constitute a challenge in the contemporary Christian community.
II. Discuss how best to rightly exercise such freedom.
B. EXERCISE YOUR FREEDOM RIGHTLY (1 Corinthians 8:9-12)
Paul begins this subdivision with a call to be watchful in exercising Christian freedom. Christians are no longer under the Law but should not assume that they are free to do anything just because the Scripture has not adjudged it wrong. Therefore, Paul cautions that our liberty in Christ does not one will be thoughtless of other believers who are weak in their conscience. He, therefore, maintained that what matters most is not whether eating of meat sacrificed to idols is right or wrong but its negative effect on fellow believers. There is no doubt that the people possessed great knowledge. Paul’s concern was that if anyone with a weak conscience sees them eat in the temple of idols, they may assume that there I no harm in eating things offered to idols (v. 10). Thus, such a brother whom Christ shed His blood for will be condemned. Invariably, their liberty should not be a means through which those who respect them for their superior knowledge are lured into partaking in things that are unwholesome.
Just as it was in Corinthian church, there are brethren among us who might not have the kind of knowledge with which we sometimes exercise our freedom. Therefore, when the weak among them eat meat that has been sacrificed to idols because other mature believers have approved of it, they might sin against God. The Bible says, “But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). As used in verse 7, conscience can be defined as “the internal court where our actions are judged and either approved or condemned” (Romans 2:14-15). However, our conscience becomes stronger as we increase in spiritual knowledge and act upon such knowledge.
**DISCUSSION TIME**
I. To what extent should we exercise our freedom as Christians?
C. EXERCISE YOUR FREEDOM IN LOVE (1 Corinthians 8:13)
Paul concluded his exhortation with an unyielding resolution saying “... if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again ...” (v. 13). In other words, rather than give room for a Christian to sin against his conscience and perish, I would not only abstain from all meats offered to idols, but I would also desist from eating meat again. Of course, his reason was that he would not cause his fellow brethren to stumble and thus fall into idolatry and ruin. The Bible says, “Everything is permissible -but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible -but not everything is constructive” (1 Corinthians 10:23). Therefore, a believer’s involvement in an activity is not only a question of whether it is right or wrong but also a question of what effect it would have on fellow believers.
According to J. Vernon McGee, “There is no point in arguing about whether something is right or wrong. It is a question of the effect upon the weak brother. It is a not a question of knowledge. All things are lawful for me. The LIBERTY OF A Christian is not pinned down by legality. He/she is not circumscribed by rules of conduct. His liberty is limited by love. His/her motivation should not be to offend hi9s/her fellow Christians but to be a blessing to him/her. That is how to determine Christian conduct. That is the motivation for Christian conduct. My knowledge can tell me that it is perfectly alright for me to do something, but my love for the weak brother will keep me from doing it.”
Paul’s resolution is a threefold admonition:
* Christians should not be stumbling blocks to the weak.
* Christians should be careful about other people’s conscience.
* Do away with anything that can cause other believers to fall, no matter its benefits.
Paul later admonished the Corinthians about their freedom to eat anything sold in market without asking any question because of their conscience. As the Scripture says, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” (1 Corinthians 10:25-26)
{==TAKE HOME==}>
> Knowledge is good but it must be expressed in love.
> Christians should know that the principle of love must take precedence over the principle of liberty.
> We should not be stumbling blocks to other brethren, especially the weak.
> We should put other Christians into consideration in whatever we do.
> We should exercise our freedom in Christ in a way that other believers would not be led into sin.
> We must be willing and ready to give up any action that is capable of causing young and immature believers to fall.
> Believers should work not only for their own good but for the good of others.
**DISCUSSION TIME**
I. Evaluate various ways believers can show love to one another.
II. What is the place of conscience in determining what you need to abstain from eating? See 1 Corinthians 10:25-26.
**…PRAYER POINTS…**
I. Lord, help me to use my freedom responsibly.
II. Lord, help our church to practise responsible autonomy which will build up our Convention at all levels.
III. Lord, help me to be a builder and not a destroyer. Destroy every power that wants to engage or employ me as an agent of destruction.
++{==NEXT==}++
July 20, 2014
Theme for the Month: LIVING AS A COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS
TOPIC: OVERCOMING TEMPTATION
Lesson Scripture: 1Corinthians 10:12-22
Theme for the Month: LIVING AS A COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS
TOPIC: LOVE BUILDS UP
Lesson Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8
++GOLDEN TEXT++
Take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9
**THE LESSON EXPLAINED**
A. ONE GOD, THE FATHER (1 Corinthians 8:1-8)
In the previous chapters, Paul had addressed several issues in his response to the Corinthians questions. However, the question in Chapter 8 is about the liberty of Christians to eat food sacrificed to idols. Of course, the question became necessary because most of the meat sold in the markets had first been offered to idols. Therefore, some Christians believed that eating such meat would make them unclean. Furthermore, a clique among them had already claimed superiority of knowledge. Therefore, in his attempt to address the matter, Paul acknowledged the fact that we all possess knowledge (v.1), as he also compared knowledge that puffs up with pride and love that builds. He confirmed the non-existence of their so-called "gods" whether in heaven or on earth. Paul testified to the authenticity of the one true God, the Father and Lord, Jesus Christ through whom all things were created (John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-16). Unfortunately, not all the people understood this truth because some of them were already accustomed to idols. Paul, however, asserted that what ultimately matters not whether some foods are ritually clean or not because they have been sacrificed to the gods. Rather what matters is our relationship with God, who is the Creator of all things (v.8).
The message of Paul to the church of today is that one may well have freedom in Christ, but it must be used with discretion for sake of the weak. Christians are free to engage in social practices and customs not specifically forbidden by biblical commands, yet the Holy may prompt us to refrain from some legitimate practices just like Paul was kept from exercising his liberty for the sake of the weak in conscience.
**DISCUSSION TIME**
I. Identify different areas of freedom that may constitute a challenge in the contemporary Christian community.
II. Discuss how best to rightly exercise such freedom.
B. EXERCISE YOUR FREEDOM RIGHTLY (1 Corinthians 8:9-12)
Paul begins this subdivision with a call to be watchful in exercising Christian freedom. Christians are no longer under the Law but should not assume that they are free to do anything just because the Scripture has not adjudged it wrong. Therefore, Paul cautions that our liberty in Christ does not one will be thoughtless of other believers who are weak in their conscience. He, therefore, maintained that what matters most is not whether eating of meat sacrificed to idols is right or wrong but its negative effect on fellow believers. There is no doubt that the people possessed great knowledge. Paul’s concern was that if anyone with a weak conscience sees them eat in the temple of idols, they may assume that there I no harm in eating things offered to idols (v. 10). Thus, such a brother whom Christ shed His blood for will be condemned. Invariably, their liberty should not be a means through which those who respect them for their superior knowledge are lured into partaking in things that are unwholesome.
Just as it was in Corinthian church, there are brethren among us who might not have the kind of knowledge with which we sometimes exercise our freedom. Therefore, when the weak among them eat meat that has been sacrificed to idols because other mature believers have approved of it, they might sin against God. The Bible says, “But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). As used in verse 7, conscience can be defined as “the internal court where our actions are judged and either approved or condemned” (Romans 2:14-15). However, our conscience becomes stronger as we increase in spiritual knowledge and act upon such knowledge.
**DISCUSSION TIME**
I. To what extent should we exercise our freedom as Christians?
C. EXERCISE YOUR FREEDOM IN LOVE (1 Corinthians 8:13)
Paul concluded his exhortation with an unyielding resolution saying “... if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again ...” (v. 13). In other words, rather than give room for a Christian to sin against his conscience and perish, I would not only abstain from all meats offered to idols, but I would also desist from eating meat again. Of course, his reason was that he would not cause his fellow brethren to stumble and thus fall into idolatry and ruin. The Bible says, “Everything is permissible -but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible -but not everything is constructive” (1 Corinthians 10:23). Therefore, a believer’s involvement in an activity is not only a question of whether it is right or wrong but also a question of what effect it would have on fellow believers.
According to J. Vernon McGee, “There is no point in arguing about whether something is right or wrong. It is a question of the effect upon the weak brother. It is a not a question of knowledge. All things are lawful for me. The LIBERTY OF A Christian is not pinned down by legality. He/she is not circumscribed by rules of conduct. His liberty is limited by love. His/her motivation should not be to offend hi9s/her fellow Christians but to be a blessing to him/her. That is how to determine Christian conduct. That is the motivation for Christian conduct. My knowledge can tell me that it is perfectly alright for me to do something, but my love for the weak brother will keep me from doing it.”
Paul’s resolution is a threefold admonition:
* Christians should not be stumbling blocks to the weak.
* Christians should be careful about other people’s conscience.
* Do away with anything that can cause other believers to fall, no matter its benefits.
Paul later admonished the Corinthians about their freedom to eat anything sold in market without asking any question because of their conscience. As the Scripture says, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” (1 Corinthians 10:25-26)
{==TAKE HOME==}>
> Knowledge is good but it must be expressed in love.
> Christians should know that the principle of love must take precedence over the principle of liberty.
> We should not be stumbling blocks to other brethren, especially the weak.
> We should put other Christians into consideration in whatever we do.
> We should exercise our freedom in Christ in a way that other believers would not be led into sin.
> We must be willing and ready to give up any action that is capable of causing young and immature believers to fall.
> Believers should work not only for their own good but for the good of others.
**DISCUSSION TIME**
I. Evaluate various ways believers can show love to one another.
II. What is the place of conscience in determining what you need to abstain from eating? See 1 Corinthians 10:25-26.
**…PRAYER POINTS…**
I. Lord, help me to use my freedom responsibly.
II. Lord, help our church to practise responsible autonomy which will build up our Convention at all levels.
III. Lord, help me to be a builder and not a destroyer. Destroy every power that wants to engage or employ me as an agent of destruction.
++{==NEXT==}++
July 20, 2014
Theme for the Month: LIVING AS A COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS
TOPIC: OVERCOMING TEMPTATION
Lesson Scripture: 1Corinthians 10:12-22
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