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“Strong” vs. “Weak” Describe a “strong” Christian. Describe a “weak” Christian Strong – sure Weak – Not so sure

Note about 14:13-23 In these verses, Paul speaks especially to the strong Christian. In fact, one thing we notice as we work through these verses is that Paul does not say much to the weak Christian. The strong must always defer to the weak. The very nature of things says it cannot be the other way around. Verse 23 “Everything that does not come from faith is sin.” The word faith here probably does not refer to saving faith in Christ. In this context it refers to whether a person has faith (knowledge) that what he or she is doing is right in God’s eyes.

Romans 14:1-15:13 In verse 1 Paul refers to a person “whose faith is weak.” Pick the statement below that best expresses what Paul means. (Hint: Read verses 2-4 and look at examples Paul gives.) The one person has faith, and the other does not. The one person has a strong trust in the Lord, and the other does not trust him much. The one person understands what he can do in Christian freedom, and the other does not. The third option is correct.

Romans 14:1-15:13 Paul does not want strong Christians to pass judgment on weak Christians. Nor does he want weak Christians to look down on strong Christians. Describe what Paul means by each of these commands. The strong Christian is tempted to think that because the weak Christian doesn’t see things clearly, his faith is in jeopardy. The weak Christian is tempted to think that because his fellow believer does things he himself thinks are sins, that means his fellow Christian is sinning.

Romans 14:1-15:13 What is a disputable matter? Pick out the disputable items in the following list: (1) Believing Christ is the Son of God. (2) A person should refrain from work on Sunday. (3) A Christian should practice church fellowship principles. (4) A person may drink beer. (5) The Bible’s teaching on the roles of men and women applies today as it did in the early church. (6) A church should refrain from using anything but an organ in worship services. The second, fourth, and sixth statements are examples of disputable matters. They are adiaphora, matters the Lord has not commanded nor forbidden. Work through verses 2-6 to understand the situation Paul was facing. He was dealing with the Jewish people who had grown up with Moses’ laws, and they were having a hard time freeing themselves from these laws. He was probably also dealing with people who thought it wrong to eat meat that came from an idol temple. (See 1 Corinthians 8 and 10:23-33.)

Romans 14:1-15:13 Complete the following paragraphs and think through Paul’s line of thought:

Romans 14:1-15:13 (Verse 4) The weak Christian should not pass judgment on the strong Christian and consider what he is doing as a faith-destroying sin. He must be sensitive to what sin is and what it isn’t. The weak Christian may have a hard time imagining that what he thinks he himself cannot do is permissible for someone else to do, but he must do just that. The strong Christian is God’s servant, and God will enable him to stand.

Romans 14:1-15:13 (Verse 5) When it comes to disputable matters, it is not important whether or not we agree with the practices of our fellow Christians, but whether or not we are all fully convinced that what we are doing is done out of service to God.

Romans 14:1-15:13 (Verse 6) It is not so important that I accept the practices of my fellow Christians but that we both use our actions to give thanks to God. (Verses 7-11) On the day of judgment, it will not matter whether I have chosen to use or not use a disputable item, but whether I have lived to the Lord.

Romans 14:1-15:13 Regardless of whether something is right or wrong, if a person thinks it is wrong to do it and still does it, he or she sins. Explain. The deed the person is doing may not be a sin, but the person’s conscience is telling him it is. If that person goes against his conscience, he sins because he does what he thinks is wrong.

Romans 14:1-15:13 According to verses 15b and 16, what might happen if I insist on doing something another Christian thinks is wrong? I may lead that person to commit a sin. The deed I am doing and the deed I lead the other person to copy may not be a sin in itself, but we would be sinning. In the other person’s case, he is sinning against his conscience. In my case, I am sinning by leading that person to sin.

Romans 14:1-15:13 When it comes to living in God’s kingdom, what pleases God? What is God not concerned about? (verses 17,18) God is pleased when we live in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. It makes no difference what kinds of food we eat or what ceremonies we perform.

Romans 14:1-15:13 What three things does the Lord want us to do when dealing with a weak Christian? bear with the failings of the weak not please ourselves build up our neighbor

Romans 14:1-15:13 Who is to be our model and our source of strength as we work for our neighbor’s good? Jesus Christ. Even though we were covered with sin, Jesus accepted us. He became a servant of the Jews and of the Gentiles. Jews and Gentiles of Paul’s day should remember this and live together as fellow members of Christ’s body and their congregation.

Romans 14:1-15:13 Why are endurance and encouragement such important qualities in God’s people? Why is a spirit of unity such an important quality? We are called upon to suffer many trials. We need endurance. We are often discouraged by the world around us, and we need encouragement. The body of Christ needs to be united so its members can grow in faith and work together to spread the gospel.

Romans 14:1-15:13 In verse 7, Paul told the Romans to accept one another. Scan the next verses. Based on the passages Paul quoted, what two groups of people did he have in mind? Picture a congregation in which Jews and Gentiles were working out God’s will for their lives. What problems may have arisen? How can we apply this to our lives in a congregation today? Many problems would have arisen between these two groups of people because of the gulf between them. Their customs were very different, and the Jews knew their customs as more than ethnic qualities; they were God’s law. The Jews had to overcome their former way of thinking. Today’s congregations have members from different backgrounds who prefer different customs. They must work together to serve the Lord in unity of faith.

Romans 14:1-15:13 How alone can we achieve the ability to live in peace with one another? (verse 5) Only God can give us the strength to do this.

Recap 14:1-15:13 Weak and strong Christians should live together in love. Both are serving God in their own way. Christian’s live in righteousness, faith, and joy in the Holy Spirit. They do not force weak Christians to do what goes against their consciences. Paul encourages us to accept one another and do what leads to peace as we serve the Lord together in his kingdom.