Study Guide
Romans Part 20
What would happen if the people of Christ harmonized to create a symphony of music that could only exist because of our differences? Listen in as Tierrasanta Campus Pastor Markus Witherspoon from our encourages us to navigate our different convictions and keep the main thing, the main thing, as we continue in our sermon series through Romans!
In this message, you will be challenged and encouraged to:
- Lay aside personal preferences for the goal of promoting peace within the community of believers
- Listen to the ways the Holy Spirit wants to build personal convictions
Newbreak’s Sermon Study Guide is an in-house resource that serves sermon-based Life Groups and/or individuals who want to reflect further on how the message contributes to their spiritual formation.
Icebreakers for Life Groups
- What are your two favorite foods? If you had to give up one and never eat it again, which would you choose—and why?"
- What is the silliest argument that you’ve ever had? Ie: Is a hot dog a sandwich? Should the toilet paper hang over or under? etc.
Read Romans 14:1-12 (CSB)
Prioritize what unites us, not what divides us.
Last week, we looked at Paul’s encouragement to devote our lives to loving one another, as that is the summary of the whole law of God. This week, Paul turns our attention to some of the nitty-gritty of loving each other: loving one another even when we have disagreements over matters of conscience and conviction. Using familial language, Paul walks us through how to manage personal convictions or what Paul calls “disputed matters” (i.e., gray areas of the faith).
He begins this section by identifying some of their “disputed matters,” such as dietary choices and religious observances of days (vs. 2-5). He then encourages us to focus on uniting and accepting one another rather than judging each other over our disagreements. Instead of looking down on one another, we should strive to see other believers as God sees them (v. 3). Many people spend their entire lives searching for acceptance, and the church should be the very place where they finally find it, fully and unconditionally.
There are things that matter, and there are things that matter! The main things that unite us are more important than the many things that are “disputed matters.”
Discussion Questions
- Paul talks about “disputable matters” or “gray areas” in the Christian life. Can you think of any modern examples of this? How can we discern which issues are essential to our faith from those that are non-essential?
- Romans 14:4 reminds us that each person is accountable to God, not to me. How might this perspective change the way you and I interact with other believers who see the world differently (i.e., politics, social issues, holidays, etc)?
- Since we will all stand before God’s judgment seat (v. 10-12), what practical steps can you take this week to focus on your walk with God rather than critiquing the walk of others?
Read Romans 14:13-23 (CSB)
Pursue peace, even at the expense of personal preference.
Romans 14:13-23 (CSB) urges believers to stop judging one another and instead be careful not to put obstacles or stumbling blocks in the way of others. Paul explains that while nothing is inherently unclean, if someone believes something is unclean, it is unclean for them, and acting against their conscience can cause them harm.
He emphasizes that the kingdom of God is not about external practices like eating and drinking, but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Paul calls the church to pursue peace and mutual encouragement, warning that it is better to give up personal freedoms than to cause another believer to stumble or violate their conscience.
When our primary motivation is love, we will always pursue peace with others. Paul is challenging all believers to prioritize love and unity over our personal preferences or freedoms. If an action of ours, no matter how harmless it may be, could lead another believer into doubt or sin, then it is our responsibility to refrain in order for our brother or sister to be built up. In all things, the main reminder is to be cognizant of how our daily choices may affect others who are on their journey toward Jesus.
Discussion Questions
- What are some modern-day issues or personal freedoms that could become stumbling blocks for others? How can we recognize when our liberties are becoming stumbling blocks?
- In verse 19, Paul urges us to “pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another. ” What does this look like in real-life situations where believers strongly disagree?
- Paul concludes that “everything that is not from faith is sin” (v.23). How can we encourage one another to act out of genuine conviction and faith, rather than pressure or conformity?
When in Romans
In the middle of the first century, in the heart of the Roman empire was a group of house churches that believed that Jesus of Nazareth, crucified and risen from the dead, was the true Lord of the world! The Romans had to be some of the bravest, most tested Christ-followers as they were heavily persecuted by the rulers of the day. Therefore, Paul writes a letter to them, expressing what he wishes he could say in person to them. The contents of this letter are so revolutionary that for 2,000 years churches all around the globe read it, reflect on it, and apply these truths to their lives. Join us as we venture through Romans and see how the gospel's message gives us a new identity and a new way to live!