Lesson 26
Romans 14
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Living by Faith: A Study in Romans
If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. Romans 14:8a
In our last lesson we saw that each of us has a debt of love to pay to others. In chapter 14 Paul continues to show us how to love one another.
Read Romans 14:1-9
1) Paul instructs us to welcome the one who is weak in faith. What does it mean to welcome somebody (some versions say accept or receive) and how does welcome differ from mere tolerance?
2) What characterizes the weak person?
3a) Considering Paul's earlier treatment of the law, his current discussion about food and observing days probably refers to the practice of some Jews who carried their tradition of piety into Christianity. Read Leviticus 11:46-47 and Daniel 1:8 and explain why God fearing Jews living in a Gentile culture might express their piety through eating only vegetables.
b) Why would Paul consider this weakness?
4) How does accepting one another fulfill the command to love one another?
5) How does viewing others as the Lord's servants effect how we relate to and treat other Christians?
6) While some things are explicitly commanded or condemned in Scripture, our freedom in Christ gives much room for freedom of conscience. What attitudes must be at the heart of each individual's piety (1 Corinthians 10:30-31)?
Read Romans 14:10-12
7) Because the Romans were divided between Jew and Gentile, weak and strong, Paul asks why they pass judgment on their brothers. 2000 years later we are prone to the same sins they were and Paul's question is just as relevant today as when he first asked it; so, why do we pass judgment? What lurks in our hearts to cause us to do such a thing?
8) What truth does Paul point us to as a corrective to such attitudes?
Read Romans 14:13-18
9) What must we resolve to do instead of passing judgment?
10) If we use our freedom with disregard for those who are weaker, what does that say about us?
11) Paul is persuaded that nothing is unclean in itself. What does Matthew 15:17-20 teach about being unclean?
12) What effect does a critical spirit have on us and how does love cure this uncleanness (1 Peter 4:8)?
13) Remember our debt to love others. We must not serve ourselves or demand that others serve us, rather, we must use our freedom to serve one another in love. What can result if we do not walk in love?
14) Can you think of a time when you were insensitive to the weakness of another? What did you learn from this about how to treat others?
15) What does Paul teach in Romans 14:13-19 about the kingdom of God and acceptable service?
Read Romans 14:20-23
16) In verse 15 Paul said that we can grieve others by what we eat. Now in verse 20 he says that for the sake of food we can destroy the work of God. What do you think it means to destroy the work of God?
17) Paul tells us to keep our faith between ourselves and God. Why is it best that we keep some things private and how will we know what issues of faith are not to be advertised?
18) According to 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, Galatians 5:13, and 1 Peter 2:16 what must we use freedom for?
19) Why is something that is not inherently sinful sin to the one who doubts?
20) In Ephesians 4:12-13 Paul says that through the work of ministry we are to build up the body until we reach mature manhood. How do the principles of Romans 14 contribute to the maturity of the body?
21)What truth has the Lord most impressed on you from Romans 14 and how will you walk in that truth?
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13
Copyright © 2009, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Romans 14
Read Mark Learn Bible Studies
Living by Faith: A Study in Romans
If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. Romans 14:8a
In our last lesson we saw that each of us has a debt of love to pay to others. In chapter 14 Paul continues to show us how to love one another.
Read Romans 14:1-9
1) Paul instructs us to welcome the one who is weak in faith. What does it mean to welcome somebody (some versions say accept or receive) and how does welcome differ from mere tolerance?
2) What characterizes the weak person?
3a) Considering Paul's earlier treatment of the law, his current discussion about food and observing days probably refers to the practice of some Jews who carried their tradition of piety into Christianity. Read Leviticus 11:46-47 and Daniel 1:8 and explain why God fearing Jews living in a Gentile culture might express their piety through eating only vegetables.
b) Why would Paul consider this weakness?
4) How does accepting one another fulfill the command to love one another?
5) How does viewing others as the Lord's servants effect how we relate to and treat other Christians?
6) While some things are explicitly commanded or condemned in Scripture, our freedom in Christ gives much room for freedom of conscience. What attitudes must be at the heart of each individual's piety (1 Corinthians 10:30-31)?
Read Romans 14:10-12
7) Because the Romans were divided between Jew and Gentile, weak and strong, Paul asks why they pass judgment on their brothers. 2000 years later we are prone to the same sins they were and Paul's question is just as relevant today as when he first asked it; so, why do we pass judgment? What lurks in our hearts to cause us to do such a thing?
8) What truth does Paul point us to as a corrective to such attitudes?
Read Romans 14:13-18
9) What must we resolve to do instead of passing judgment?
10) If we use our freedom with disregard for those who are weaker, what does that say about us?
11) Paul is persuaded that nothing is unclean in itself. What does Matthew 15:17-20 teach about being unclean?
12) What effect does a critical spirit have on us and how does love cure this uncleanness (1 Peter 4:8)?
13) Remember our debt to love others. We must not serve ourselves or demand that others serve us, rather, we must use our freedom to serve one another in love. What can result if we do not walk in love?
14) Can you think of a time when you were insensitive to the weakness of another? What did you learn from this about how to treat others?
15) What does Paul teach in Romans 14:13-19 about the kingdom of God and acceptable service?
Read Romans 14:20-23
16) In verse 15 Paul said that we can grieve others by what we eat. Now in verse 20 he says that for the sake of food we can destroy the work of God. What do you think it means to destroy the work of God?
17) Paul tells us to keep our faith between ourselves and God. Why is it best that we keep some things private and how will we know what issues of faith are not to be advertised?
18) According to 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, Galatians 5:13, and 1 Peter 2:16 what must we use freedom for?
19) Why is something that is not inherently sinful sin to the one who doubts?
20) In Ephesians 4:12-13 Paul says that through the work of ministry we are to build up the body until we reach mature manhood. How do the principles of Romans 14 contribute to the maturity of the body?
21)What truth has the Lord most impressed on you from Romans 14 and how will you walk in that truth?
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13
Copyright © 2009, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
