1. Have you ever modified your behavior out of respect for another person’s beliefs? What did you do, and why?
Ask two people to read aloud 1 Corinthians 8:9-13; 9:19-23; 10:23-33, one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask a third person to briefly summarize these passages.
2. What are some ways you have seen people abuse their freedoms in society?
3. Can you think of a modern example of how a mature Christian with good knowledge of Scripture might cause a newer or less-mature Christian to stumble? (Pay particular attention to the stark warning in 1 Corinthians 8:12.)
4. A lesson writer years ago contended that 1 Corinthians 8:13 (“If what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall”) was Paul’s application of Jesus’ second great commandment (“Love your neighbor as yourself,” Matthew 22:39). Would you be willing to give up an entire food group so that another would not turn their back on Christ?
5. In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Paul shares several examples of how he changed his behavior “to win as many as possible.” Can you think of examples of how he perhaps . . .
• “became like a Jew, to win the Jews” (v. 20)?
• “became like one under the law . . . so as to win those under the law” (v. 20)?
• “became like one not having the law . . . so as to win those not having the law” (v. 21)?
• “became weak, to win the weak” (v. 22)?
6. Paul understood that not everyone would follow Jesus (see v. 22), but he continued his efforts to win souls to Christ, nonetheless. What would happen if most Christians adopted Paul’s attitude and outlook?
7. What are some behaviors, practices, and habits Christians can adopt that are both beneficial and constructive (see 1 Corinthians 10:23)?
8. Paul wrote, “No one should seek their own good, but the good of others” (10:24). Does someone you personally know, or have known, come to mind as exemplifying that verse? Who?
9. What is one change you will make in your life this week that will be “for the glory of God” (10:31)?
For Next Week: Read and reflect on 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts and the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
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