1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Because love is superior to knowledge, we should voluntarily lay down our rights for our Christian brothers and sisters.
The Principle: The Superiority of Love (vv. 1-3)
The Problem: The Inflexibility of Truth (vv. 4-8)
The Solution: Voluntarily Giving up Our Rights (vv. 9-13)
Discussion Questions
Read 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. What do you think is the main point of this passage?
Consider vv. 1-3. What is the relationship between a true knowledge of God (theology) and a love of God? Which is superior — knowledge or love? Why?
What are some different ways that we can use knowledge about something or someone to bring harm to others rather than to serve them in love? (Take a moment to consider a time when, instead of using your knowledge about something to serve others in love, you used it to bring harm to them.)
Consider vv. 4-8. Has your conscience ever changed about anything? Try to think of one example where your conscience became more free about something and another example where your conscience became more restricted about something. What brought about those changes in conscience?
Have you ever been in the place where you were around other Christians that were participating in something that you did not have the conscience to participate in? Was that difficult for you? In what way? Have you ever participated with other Christians in something in a way that defiled your conscience?
Consider vv. 9-13, especially v. 9. Are you aware of a time when another Christian has voluntarily given up their rights for you? (Take a moment to think about this.) Explain.
Read Philippians 2:5-8 and consider all the ways that the eternal Son of God laid aside “rights.” Why did he do this? How can we “have this mind”?
How is God calling you to respond to this message on 1 Corinthians 8:1-13?
