Big Idea: Christian maturity puts love for others above personal rights. How To Choose Love Over Rights: 1. Love Builds People Up 1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But the man who loves God is known by God. 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 (NIV) “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10 (NIV) • Mature believers don't simply ask if they're right — they ask if they're loving. 2. Love Chooses People Over Personal Freedom 4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many "lords"), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 7 But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. 9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 1 Corinthians 8:4-9 (NIV) So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. 14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16 Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. 19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Romans 14:12-19 (NIV) • Real freedom isn't doing whatever you want—it's loving others enough to help them grow. 3. Love Leads Others Toward Christ (vv. 10–13) 10 For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall. 1 Corinthians 8:10-13 (NIV) 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus : 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:4-11 (NIV) • Love gladly lays down its rights for the good of others. ⮚ What freedom are you willing to lay down to help someone else follow Jesus? Next Right Steps Choose Love Over Personal Rights Look for one opportunity to encourage another believer. Follow Jesus in Believers baptism TALK IT OVER Big Idea: Spiritual maturity is measured not by insisting on our rights, but by choosing love that builds others up. Opening Prayer: Invite someone to thank God for the freedom we have in Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to help us use that freedom wisely—not to please ourselves, but to love others and help them grow in their faith. Icebreaker: Think about someone who made sacrifices to help you grow. What did they give up? How did their example impact your life? Read Together: 1 Corinthians 8:1–13 (Optional Cross References) Philippians 2:4–11 Galatians 5:13 As you read, notice the contrast between knowledge and love. Reflection Questions For Families with Young Children What does it mean to put someone else first? Can you think of one way Jesus put others before Himself? What is one way our family can encourage someone this week? Examples: Share. Help a neighbor. Invite someone. Speak kind words. Pray for someone. For Teens and Adults Paul says, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” What do you think he means? Have you ever been right about something but handled it in an unloving way? Paul teaches that being “right” isn't always the most important thing. Why do you think Christians sometimes focus more on proving a point than loving people? How does Jesus model a different way? Read Philippians 2:4–11. What does Jesus' humility teach us about using our freedom and laying down our rights? How does His example shape the way we treat others? Paul was willing to limit his own freedom if it helped another believer grow. Can you think of modern examples where choosing love might mean giving up a personal preference? (Encourage grace-filled discussion rather than debating specific issues.) Think about your influence. Who is watching your example? Children? Grandchildren? New believers? Friends? Co-workers? How can your life encourage them to follow Jesus more closely? This week, where is God inviting you to choose love over personal rights? What is one practical way you can build someone up? Living It Out Choose one Next Right Step this week. Choose love over personal rights. Look for one opportunity to encourage another believer. Ask, “Will this build someone up?” before making an important decision. Memory Verse: “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” 1 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV) Pray together.