1 Corinthians Lesson 8

C 2002 “Yes Lord” Ministries

1 Corinthians

Lesson 8

"Now Concerning Food sacrificed to idols ..."

Hi and welcome back to our continuing study of 1 Corinthians. In this lesson we are going to look at another question which the people in the "First Church of Corinth" had asked Paul. As you recall, this church had many problems and many questions and Paul, in this letter was addressing some of them. The specific question that Paul is addressing in this part of the letter (Chapters 8-11:1) deals mainly with what to do about eating food which had been sacrificed to idols.

Food sacrificed to idols? Why would they (or we today) want to know about this?

Well, as you recall, the city of Corinth had many people, many religions, many temples, and many ungodly and immoral activities. As a result, the small group of believers (Christians) in this young church was surrounded by lifestyles and activities which were directly contradictory to what Paul had been teaching them about Christ and the way they should live as Christians.

So, some of the members began questioning these "worldly" things and were wondering what their degree of involvement (or lack of involvement) should be in the participation (or lack of participation) in various actions and activities which were so common and prevalent in their city and culture. And this included questioning if it was ok to eat meat which had been ceremonially sacrificed to idols during the "worship services" in pagan temple rituals. Not all of this meat was actually consumed in the sacrifice and was, therefore, being offered for sale in the market places and served during meals in temple halls, at parties, and elsewhere. They wanted to know if it was ok for them to consume such meat.

They were also wondering what their responsibility was to others even when they believed that, because of their "freedom in Christ", it was "ok" to do something (such as eat meat sacrificed to idols) when others thought a specific action or activity (such as this) was wrong and should not be done.

Well, before we continue, and with that as a background of what we will be studying in this lesson, let's begin by actually reading the answer that Paul gave to the members of the Church in response to their question. So, you guessed it, it is time for an assignment.

ASSIGNMENT: Read the following passage in which Paul answers the question they had asked him about "eating food sacrificed to idols". As you read this passage (provided here for you OR, as always, you may use your own Bible and version of your preference), look for and mark the following words (and words used to mean the same thing as these words): We are going to read this passage two times. (Note: if you will read it more than two times you will really understand it MUCH better, so if you can read it more than two times, please do.)

The first time you read, mark:

sacrifice (sacrifices, sacrificed)--- Put a RED CIRCLE around these words

right (rights, freedom, free)--- Put a GREEN CIRCLE around these words.

Then read the entire passage again, this time marking:

conscience --- Put a BLUE CIRCLE around this word.

weak -- Put a GRAY circle around this word

fall (sin, stumble, stumbling block, destroyed) --- put a BLACK CIRCLE around these words.

As always, should you prefer to use a different symbol or color, feel free to do so. These are only suggestions. Also, if you are using a different version of the Bible, the words may be slightly different, so mark whatever words your particular version uses.

Ok, that is your assignment. Now here is the Scripture text for you to read and mark:

1 Corinthians 8:1- 11:1

8:1. Now about (now concerning) food sacrificed to idols:

.....We know that we all possess knowledge.

.....Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

2. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.

3. But the man who loves God is known by God.

4. So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols:

We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one.

5. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), 6. yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from Whom all things came and for Whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through Whom all things came and through Whom we live.

7. But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8. But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

9. Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? 11. So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

9:1. Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? 2. Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3. This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me.

4. Don't we have the right to food and drink?

5. Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas ?

6. Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living? 7. Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? 8. Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn't the Law say the same thing? 9. For it is written in the Law of Moses: "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10. Surely He says this for us, doesn't he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. 11. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12. If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more? But we did not use this right.

On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. 13. Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14. In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

15. But I have not used any of these rights.

And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me.

I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast.

16. Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17. If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.

19. Though I am free and belong to no man,

I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

20. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.

To those under the law I became like one under the law

(though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.

21. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law

(though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law),

so as to win those not having the law.

22. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.

I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.

23. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

24. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

10:1. For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3. They all ate the same spiritual food 4. and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.

6. Now these things occurred as examples

to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.

7. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written:

"The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry."

8. We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did--

and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.

9. We should not test the Lord, as some of them did--and were killed by snakes.

10. And do not grumble, as some of them did--and were killed by the destroying angel.

11. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

12. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

13. No temptation (trial, testing) has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted (tried, tested) beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted (tried, tested), He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

14. Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.

15. I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.

16. Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17. Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.

18. Consider the people of Israel:

......Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?

19. Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?

20. No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God,

and I do not want you to be participants with demons.

21. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too;

you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons.

22. Are we trying to arouse the Lord's jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

23. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial.

/////"Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive.

24. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

25. Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,

26. for, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."

27. If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28. But if anyone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake -- 29. the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience? 30. If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?

31. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

32. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God--

33. even as I try to please everybody in every way.

For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

11: 1. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Wow! That was a long passage and, initially, you might have the idea that it is talking about a lot of different and unrelated topics and concepts rather than the one topic of "....now concerning food sacrificed to idols...". And, indeed, that is why we read it a minimum of two times and why reading and re-reading this passage several times is really necessary to fully understand what Paul is saying and the one main point he is teaching to them and to us. This is an example of why Peter, in what might be the understatement of the ages, said that Paul is sometimes hard to understand. (2 Peter 3:16 He (Paul) writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.)

Anyway, as we begin to evaluate what Paul is teaching in this somewhat complicated section of his letter, let's answer some questions based on what you have read and marked.

First of all (and this is realllllly simple), What do you think was "the specific question" that Paul was asked by the members of the Church of Corinth that caused such a lengthy answer. (Write it in the space below:)

Did Paul just give a simple yes or no answer to this question, which, as you so correctly stated, was likely something such as: "Is it ok for Christians (believers) to eat food sacrificed to idols and / or which is sold at the meat markets and served in people's homes and served in the temple restaurants and served at banquets and parties, and etc.?" ____________

Why do you think they were concerned about this question? What was the problem? (Summarize your thoughts in the space below)

In Verse 8:1, what did Paul say that they had? ___________________

And, what does knowledge do? ____________________

What does it mean to be "puffed up" with knowledge? (hint: remember the culture in which they were living, in which knowledge was a very important thing that was greatly admired and people with it were considered to be very important people.)

The last phrase of that verse (8:1) talks about love. What does it say about love?

And, then, verses 2 and 3, when combined with the last part of verse 1, seem to be unrelated to the topic at hand, at least on a first reading. Write those verses here (I will begin this for you and you finish this passage):

We know that we all possess knowledge.

Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

The man who

Hmmm. This is a very interesting and perhaps puzzling introduction to the apparently simple question of "is it ok to eat meat sacrificed to idols." But, before this lesson is over, hopefully you will understand why Paul began his answer in this way. It is not as strange as it seems and actually is VERY important and is the key to their understanding the answer that he is going to give them. So keep your thinking caps on as we continue through this lesson. You will be amazed at what Paul is going to tell this group of "baby Christians." He is definitely going to give them solid meat teaching here (pun intended).

So, let's continue on and see if we can figure out why he began in this way and what Paul is trying to tell them.

What does Paul tell them about idols? Make a list of what you learn in the space below. (Hint, Paul gives them various facts and information throughout this whole section, so don't stop with just 1 or 2 facts. Go all the way to the end.) I will begin the list for you to give you an idea of how to do this. And, as always, put the verse where you find your information by the fact.

8:1 food is sacrificed to idols

8:4 food sacrificed to idols is sometimes eaten

8:4 an idol is nothing at all in the world (an idol is not a real god)

Great! Quite an interesting list. And the bottom line of what Paul was teaching these young Christians about idols is what? (summarize in a few words)

Yes, you are absolutely correct, if you understood that Paul makes it perfectly clear to them that the idols that the non Christians are worshipping and to whom they are offering sacrifices, though often called "gods" and "lords", are not really gods. Indeed, they are demons! And they certainly are NOT the one true God the Father, nor are they the Lord Jesus Christ.

What did Paul tell them about food and a person's relationship to God? (8:8)

The interesting thing about this statement is that in many religions, food is a "big deal" and the eating or not eating of certain foods is a very important aspect of "worship" to their "god". For example, many "vegetarians" today do not eat meat because of "religious" reasons. And, as you know, Jews do not eat pork. But, here, Paul is letting them know that, for Christians, it is not food that is the key to gaining God's favor or disfavor. Rather, the important thing in one's relationship with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ is (8:3) ____________________ . Yes, loving God. Now hold that thought as Paul will come back to this when he finally winds up this subject and gives the final answer and application to their question.

But, before we get to that final conclusion, let's look at what Paul tells them next. For, he is building a case for what he wants them to understand about knowledge, love, rights, and freedom in Christ.

Yes, they had "knowledge" (8:1) of their "rights" and "freedom" in Christ, but they did not have a full understanding of the linkage of this knowledge of their rights and freedom with love. So, Paul next begins to explain, using himself as an example, about "rights" and "freedom" in Christ. Although at first glance, you might think he has changed the subject, in reality he hasn't. And what he is going to tell them now is directly linked to what he will tell them about eating food sacrificed to idols. So, let's look at what he tells them.

Paul, using himself as an example, gave many of the "rights" which he could have as an Apostle of Jesus Christ. In the space below, list the "rights" and "privileges" which were due to him as an Apostle. (I will begin the list to show you "how" to do this.)

RIGHTS due to Paul because he was an apostle

9:3 food and drink to be provided to him by those to whom he ministered

9:5

9:12

9:18

But, did Paul exercise those rights? Did he take advantage of the freedoms and privileges that these rights would have given him? __________

Wow! He didn't take advantage of his rights?!? Why not? That would surely have made life "easier" for him, for, as you may or may not know, Paul was a Tentmaker by profession. And, everywhere he went, he worked at the job of being a tentmaker in order to earn the income needed to pay for his rent, food, and other necessities.

But, as an Apostle, did he have to do that? _______ Did he have to work? ________ Couldn't he have just gone and preached and taught and let those to whom he ministered provide for his every need? __________ And, similarly, could he have taken a wife with him (if he had one) and her needs and support would have "by rights" also been provided by others? _________ But did he do that? __________

So, why didn't he do that? Why didn't he let others provide for his needs instead of working himself to provide them? What was the reason he did not exercise his "rights"? Look back at verses 9:15-18 and then, in the space below, summarize in your own words why Paul did not exercise his rights as an apostle.

Yes, you are correct if you understood that Paul did this so that he would not have to take pay from those to whom he preached and ministered. He just wanted to give the gospel to them freely because he cared about their salvation more than the did about their money. And, he also refused to exercise his rights as an Apostle because he loved God so much that he just simply wanted to serve Him and tell others about Him and lead others to Him. He didn't want to do this for money but because of love for God and of others.

But, there is still more that Paul told them about himself, as an example, concerning the "rights" and "freedoms" which he freely renounced in order to serve the Lord more effectively.

Paul not only did NOT exercise the rights and freedom due to him because he was an Apostle, he also did NOT exercise the rights and freedom due to him because he was a Christian. As a Christian, he has freedoms and rights in Christ. (as did the Christians in the Church at Corinth -- and, indeed, as ALL Christians do, including you and me) . And the "right" to "eat meat sacrificed to idols" was one that wanted to exercise. For they understood correctly that idols were nothing and therefore food sacrificed to them was not "sacred". So they had the right to eat this meat but.... Paul is going to give an other illustration from his life which will help him explain the "BUT"...

In 9:19-23, Paul details some of the rights (as a Christian) that he has renounced and given up; and he gives the reason why he does this. Let's look at this.

First, Paul says that he is (9:19) ________ and belongs to ___ _______ .

As a believer / Christian, this is true for all of us. Christians no longer belong to the devil or any man or anyone EXCEPT we DO belong to the Lord God, because He paid the purchase price (His blood death sacrifice) for our redemption from sin (our salvation). So, all Christians are servants / slaves of Jesus Christ, our new Lord and Master. But God is a wonderful master and His yoke is easy and his burden is light. He is not a harsh taskmaster. He loves us and wants the best for us. And, of course, I could go on and on at this point, but, back to the topic at hand. Paul said that he is free and belongs to no man.

But, immediately after saying this, he then turns right around and in 9:19 also says that he (voluntarily) makes himself a ___________ to ______________ !

Astounding! Why would he do such a thing? Why would he give up his freedoms and rights and become a slave to everyone (Christians and non Christians alike). Is he nuts? What is he thinking? Well, he gives us the reason; indeed, there are several reasons, all with one bottom line. Write his reasons here.

9:19 to win as many as possible

9:20

9:21

9:22

9:23

9:27

10:24

10:28-29

10:31

10:32

10:33

11:1

8:9

8:12

8:13

/Wow! Imagine that! He is willing to give up all his rights in order to "win as many as possible" to the Lord. He wants to see souls saved and people taught about Who God is and what Jesus has done for them, and to rescue them from Hell, and to bring them into the Kingdom of God, and to help even the Christians and the weak brothers to not stumble or fall ... and... well, you made the list. You saw his reasons.

Now, with this in mind, go back through this entire passage of scripture (8:1 -11:1) and as you read, highlight or underline in YELLOW, or a color of your choice, everything Paul says about the reasons for NOT exercising one's freedoms. (For example, the first thing I underlined was 8:9 be careful, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. Then the next passage that I underlined was 8:13 Therefore, if what I eat cause my brother to fall into sin, I will NEVER eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall. Now you go back and underline those two verses in the text and then continue on through the rest of the verses, underlining everything that has to do with giving up one's rights and freedom as a Christian.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Pause while you do this assignment <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

Whew, this is getting heavy. And I suspect that, smart students that you are, you are beginning to suspect what Paul is going to tell the Corinthians (and, gasp, us, too) concerning their question about "eating meat offered to idols" and why.

And, as long as he stays on the subject of meat offered to idols, you probably think all is well since that is not a problem in your culture. At least it is not in my city. But, alas and alack, you are also wise enough to know that it is a PRINCIPLE that is being taught here and not just one simple matter of meat eating.

So let's look at Paul's conclusion and the overarching principle that is being taught here.

First, the conclusion. Based on what you have read and marked and listed and studied and written, what did Paul tell the Corinthians about eating meat offered to idols? Was it OK to do that? _____________

Explain your answer.

But, were there situations in which this would NOT be OK to do? _____________

What were those situations and WHY were they to NOT eat meat in those situations? (This is a VERY important question so think carefully and then answer carefully. This is where the principle is being presented. So think and then write your answer and reasons in the space below. And don't forget what you read in 8:1-3. Those verses now can be seen in their context and are verrrrrry important to what Paul is teaching them and us.)

Yes, the bottom line seems to be that some of these young Christians had correctly realized and understood that, as a result of their salvation, they have a new "freedom" in Christ and that they were no longer bound by legalistic laws. They had KNOWLEDGE so they now knew that they had "freedom and rights" by virtue of being Children of God. As a result of this new found "knowledge", they were beginning to do things (because they didn't yet understand the LOVE part of this principle) that were offending and confusing their brothers (believers, Christians) and even unsaved people who observed them. Therefore, these other people (believers and the unsaved) were saying such things as "no, you can't, you must not, eat meat sacrificed to idols if you are a Christian".

So as "baby Christians", there were two factions in the Church who were arguing amongst themselves. Some were insisting upon their rights to do this and other things, while others were saying, no, this can't be. But the "problem" was not a simple "us" vs. "them" situation. Both sides had some learning to do and neither "side" was yet entirely correct in their understanding of "rights, freedom, love, and responsibility."

So, Paul, in his rather lengthy answer, not only gives the answer concerning eating food sacrificed to idols ( = yes it is ok ..BUT...)

So what was the "BUT" -- what was the reason a Christian should not exercise his / her rights to do something, such as eating meat offered to idols, even when it was really "ok" in the sight of God? What is the PRINCIPLE that is being presented here. Think about this. Then write your answer in the space below.

Yes, Paul said that the reason a Christian should renounce their freedom and rights was because of love -- love for God and the desire, because of this love for God, that God to be glorified and given praise in all things -- and love for the one with the weak conscience, so as to not do anything which will cause that weaker brother to stumble or sin.

So Paul, in this section of the letter explains the very important underling PRINCIPLE concerning knowledge, "rights", "freedom in Christ" and the overriding concept of LOVE for others who don't yet understand and are "weak".

He points out that, before exercising one's "rights", one must remember that they also have a responsibility for their weaker brothers.

Knowing that you have rights is not enough. Those rights must be subjected to the principle of LOVE. So, before exercising those rights, the "exerciser" must be careful to be sure that he or she is NOT going to do anything that will cause that weaker brother to sin or stumble. Paul stresses this point repeatedly in 1 Corinthians and in many of his other letters to other Churches. This is not just for the Corinthians. This principle applies to ALL Christians!

And this principle is VERY important, fundamental, and ESSENTIAL for every Christian know, understand, and live IF if they are to be effective in their witness to fellow Christians and to the unsaved! Paul's life was as an illustration of how to do this --of how to renounce and refuse one's own rights in order to be of greater service to and for God.

In Paul's life we see the example of how a person who truly loves his God, Lord, Master, and Savior, will readily do anything (including renouncing his God-given rights and freedom) to please his God and to bring glory and honor to Him and to His name. And he does this because he knows, that by not being a stumbling block, this will help others (believers and unbelievers alike) to come to know and love his God also !

This, then, is the bottom line. A person is to not cling to his or her "rights" but rather is to renounce them any time that doing something that technically is ok for him or her but which is not ok in the eyes of a weaker brother (Christian) or which would cause anyone (saved or unsaved) to stumble, fall, sin, or otherwise be harmed by the actions of the one "exercising their rights".

In view of this specific matter of eating meat, Paul, said that yes it was OK BUT ...

(8:9-13) write it here:

and Paul also said in 10:23-24 and 31-32 (write it here)

Great! No problem, you say. I won't eat meat sacrificed to idols. So, problem solved. Thanks for the lesson. And now on with my life and my "rights."

Well, not so fast. You can't get off the hook that easily. Remember, Paul is teaching a PRINCIPLE here.

Indeed, Paul used many words, illustrations, and examples to make this point clear. And the simple point is indeed clear and readily understandable. But, it is the application, the "doing" of what is being taught in these 3 chapters that is not easy. Giving up our RIGHTS so others will not stumble is not easy.

But Jesus did it. And Paul did it. And, both Jesus and Paul had very significant RIGHTS which they gave up!

And, now Paul has explained to the Christians in Corinth and indeed to all Christians everywhere and for all time, that God desires that ALL of His people (Christians), be willing to give up their rights whenever the exercising of them would be a stumbling block to another.

The question now is, are you and I going to do this? Will we give up our rights? Or will we stubbornly and willfully insist on our rights? -- And, in so insisting and in so exercising, enjoy some temporary "benefits" but miss out on the greater joy of showing God how much we love Him by being willing to give up rights and freedom so that others can be saved, or taught, or kept from stumbling and sinning.

For most of us there are no temples in our town or city selling meat sacrificed to idols so we don't have to worry about exercising those "rights" of eating meat sacrificed to idols.

BUT, are there some things or actions that a Christian is free to do but which could be a stumbling block to others IF we exercised our freedoms and did them?

Sure. So let's think about that.

In the chart below,

in the first column, list some of the RIGHTS that you have and, therefore, can do (or not do) because you truly do have rights and freedom in Christ which assure you that you are no longer in bondage to something, or that you no longer have to do, or that you no longer have to avoid, because it is "ok" to do.

In the Second column explain why this is a right that is now available to you as one who is "free in Christ".

In the third column, explain how the exercising of this right could possibly cause another person to stumble, or to be led astray, or what might happen to them IF you insist on doing things "your way" and in exercising your rights instead of renouncing .them.

In the fourth column. state what YOU should, therefore, do, or not do, so that that your weaker brother will not fall into sin or be harmed. (i.e.. what can you do or not do in order to not be a stumbling block.)

I will begin this list for you with 2 examples. Then you continue. Make this list as long and as inclusive as possible. Use extra pieces of paper if necessary, and it probably will be. Take your time. This is the heart of the lesson. This is why Paul spent 3 chapters on this one subject. This is verrrrrry important. And IF you truly grasp what Paul is teaching and apply it to your life, you will find that your ministry, witness, and service to and for Christ will be drastically altered and the FRUITS of your life will be immeasurable! This is the final assignment for this lesson. So Take as long as you need. And we will continue our study of 1 Corinthians in the next lesson. See you there.

My "Rights" as a Christian

and

what to "do" when there is a "weaker brother" observing my actions !

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