Love is King
Community Group Discussion Guide for the Week of April 6, 2025
Miss this week’s teaching? You can watch it here.
# Summary
In the teaching this week, Pastor Jim focuses on 1 Corinthians 8, addressing how Christians should handle matters of personal conviction and freedom in Christ. Paul's guidance to the Corinthians about eating meat sacrificed to idols provides principles for how believers should handle disagreements over non-essential matters.
# Intro Prayer
Lord, as we gather to discuss Your Word, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to what You want to teach us today. Help us to understand how to better love one another while maintaining our personal convictions. Guide our discussion and help us to apply these truths to our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.
# Ice Breaker
What's one rule or tradition you grew up with that you later realized wasn't as important as you once thought it was?
# Key Verses
1 Corinthians 8:1
1 Corinthians 8:9
1 Corinthians 8:13
Romans 14:13-23
# Questions
How do you determine whether something is a clear biblical command versus a matter of personal conviction?
What are some ways Christians today might 'flaunt their freedom' that could cause others to stumble?
How can we balance standing firm in our personal convictions while showing love to those who disagree?
What does it mean to be 'free in Christ' and how might some misunderstand this concept?
How has your understanding of Christian freedom evolved as you've grown in your faith?
What are some modern examples of issues that Christians disagree about that parallel the meat sacrificed to idols debate?
How can we avoid becoming legalistic while still maintaining strong personal convictions?
What practical steps can we take to ensure love guides our decisions about exercising our Christian freedom?
# Life Application
This week, identify one area where you might be judging others based on your personal convictions. Practice extending grace in that area while still maintaining your own convictions. Look for ways to prioritize love over being 'right' in your interactions with fellow believers.
# Key Takeaways
The greatest freedom we have is the choice not to exercise our freedom for the sake of love
Personal convictions should not be projected onto others as universal rules
Love should be the guiding principle in matters of Christian freedom
We can disagree on non-essential matters while maintaining unity in Christ
# Ending Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the freedom we have in Christ. Help us to use that freedom wisely and lovingly. Give us discernment to know when to exercise our freedom and when to limit it for the sake of others. Help us to grow in maturity and love for one another. In Jesus' name, Amen.