Romans 14:20-15:4 New Living Translation (NLT)

20 Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble.

21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. 22 You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right.

23 But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning. 15:1 We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves.

15:2 We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. 3 For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” 4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

I. Strong faith prioritizes harmony (v. 20)
• Condemning or criticizing others is

faith.
• Strong faith understands harmony requires

Reveal Answer

.
• Our primary responsibility as Christians is to the most

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person in the room.

II. Strong faith is free to be private (vv. 21-22)
• Strong faith understands the value of

.
• Strong faith discerns when to practice liberty

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.
•

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is motivated by the security of strong faith.

III. Strong faith considers the convictions of others (vv. 23-15:1)
• Weak faith ignores

conviction.
• Weak faith ignores

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conviction.
• Strong faith bears

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for the convictions of the weak.

IV. Strong faith stands with the vulnerable (15:2-4)
• Weak faith is disinterested, dismissive,

, degrading.
• Strong faith makes

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for other perspectives.
• Strong faith

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others grow in their diverse perspectives.
• Strong faith stands with the

Reveal Answer

.

Getting to Know Me
Is there a food, movie genre, or music artist you like that other people in your household don’t? How do you navigate enjoying it while minimizing the annoyance to others?

Exploring the Word
1. As you listened to the message, what points stood out?
2. Read Romans 14:19-20. How can Christians edify one another when dealing with disputable matters? How do believers “tear apart the work of God” with disputable matters? Discuss and give examples of both edifying and tearing apart.
3. Read Romans 14:21-22. Why does the apostle Paul focus on the unintentionality of stumbling in these verses? How should concern for other Christians affect our choices?
4. What are believers supposed to do when they do not agree with one another with disputable matters and what does this look like?
5. Read Romans 14:23-15:1. How do Christian’s determine if a behavior is sinful? What is one’s conscience authorized and not authorized to do when it comes to disputable matters (refer to Romans 2:14-15)? Why is it a sin for a believer to violate one’s conscience with disputable matters?
6. Read Romans 15:2-4. Besides listening to and respecting another Christian’s views with disputable matters, what else are they supposed to do? What does this look like? How can we follow Christ’s example with how we handle disputable matters?