Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 9Sample

Has someone ever been a stumbling block to you?

Let's dig into 1 Corinthians 8, where Paul discusses a big issue in the Corinthian church. Before, he talked about how we should treat each other, but now he's tackling the problem of idols and food.

Paul wants everyone to know that idols are just made-up things and God is the only real and powerful one. But here's the thing: some people in the church aren't sure about this yet. They still think idols have power. The main point is about how we treat others. Some believers know that idols are fake and can eat food offered to them without worry. But others, who aren't so sure, feel bad about it.

Paul says that if you eat idol food and it makes someone who's not sure stumble, that's not good. It's like leading them into something they think is wrong. Even if you know it's not wrong, if they think it is, then it's a problem. So, Paul suggests that we should be careful. If we know something doesn't bother us, that's great. But if it might bother someone else, we should think about their feelings and not do it around them.

Paul's main lesson is that we should care for each other. We should think about what might help or hurt someone's faith. It's not just about being right; it's about being loving.

Here are two questions to think about as we read this chapter:

1. How can we balance our freedom in Christ with the responsibility to care for the faith of others?

2. What are some practical ways we can show love to our fellow believers by considering their feelings?

As we read this chapter, let's remember to be kind and thoughtful. Just like Jesus showed love by sacrificing for us, let's show love by caring for each other and putting their feelings before our own.