Opening: What food is definitely “off-limits” for you, something you will never
eat?
Scripture: Read
Romans 14:1-12.
Connect
the Text with Your Life:
- As he nears the end of his letter, Paul addresses a specific dispute, probably over whether Christians need to abide by Jewish food and Sabbath laws. For him, these are “gray areas” – issues over which equally committed Christians can disagree. What are some controversial, gray areas in your life, family, the church?
- Paul clearly sides theologically with the “strong” (who did not feel compelled to follow those laws), but he encourages them not to despise or scandalize the “weak.” Are you more likely to believe, behave, and react with a strong conviction or mindful of the weak?
- When has your “freedom” been a stumbling block to someone else? What happened?
Prayer
Focus: That everything we do – living or dying – we would
belong to the Lord (see verse 8).
