STARTER

• What is something that you believe you have the right to do without thinking about it’s effect on others? Why?

PRAY

Lord, we thank You that You are the God of yesterday, today, and forever. Enable us to see in our discussion and study that because of Your great love, You help guide us in the IDOLS OF YESTERDAY AND TODAY.

"Idols of Yesterday and Today”

Paul has had messages brought to him about the problems in the Corinthian church. Corinth was a city and culture much like ours today with all kinds of options for wealth, entertainment, experiences, and pleasure.

In this letter, God has Paul focus on the necessity of us seeing our identity in Jesus. He exposes His frustration over divisions because of the lack of understanding and acting in wisdom. He clarifies His desire and purpose for them to be spiritual people who will be found faithful in sincereity and truth. How we live that out will show up most in our view of being single or married. How we handle the simple daily things like eating together can easily expose the IDOLS OF YESTERDAY AND TODAY.

READ 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

1. What is the issue among the church in these verses?
   1. Based on the Old Testament Israelite culture, how would this issue have been difficult?
   2. How was this problem causing issues in the Corinthian church?
   3. What might be some modern examples of struggles like this for churches today? Why?
2. Verse 6 helps us to answer 2 of the most important questions we can ask especially when dealing with issues like this.
   1. How do we exist? Why do we exist?
   2. What are ways that our enemy the devil and our world undermine these 2 questions?
3. Paul talks about “knowledge”.
   1. How is knowledge important in these types of decisions?
   2. How do we see knowledge puffing up? How can we tell if we are puffing up?
   3. What are some critical things if we are to gain true knowledge and apply it properly?
4. What would you struggle with giving up the right to do, so that you “won’t cause my brother to fall"?
5. In verse 4-5, what is the very practical true fact of IDOLS and eating food sacrificed to IDOLS?
6. What does it mean that their conscience is defiled? How do we do this today?
7. We have liberty, but how should we take care to exercise it?
8. Why should we be careful what we do around others? Does this mean we should live according to others’ convictions and be man pleasing instead of God pleasing?
9. If we misuse our freedom, how does that reveal the attitude of our heart?
   1. Should we be willing to sacrifice our own earthly feeling of enjoyment for others? For how long?