1. Who is the “weak” person and how is the strong strong Christian to treat him? vv1-2. Verse 2 shows who the “weak” brother is. It is not the one who eats any meat. But it is the one who won’t eat the meat thinking doing so would be tantamount to idolatry (1 Cor. 8) or to one opposed to eating meats thinking they are unclean though Jesus declared all food to be clean (Mk 7:19).

2. What does God view the weak or the strong Christian? v3

3. Meat and vegetables. Who won’t eat meat? Gal. 2:11-13; 1 Cor. 8:4-7

4. One day distinct or all days alike. How do we know the special day isn’t Sunday? vv5,6. The first day of the week is, and has always been, special to Christians. In the context, the “regards one day above another” is the “weak” position, as was the “vegetable only”, and so this special day that some individuals might observe is likely some special day a Jew observed under the Old Law.

5. Why does Paul say not to judge the brother who has a different opinion? vv4,10-13

6. Knowledge. Paul has knowledge that meat is not unclean. Does that make him the strong or the weak? v14

7. What is Paul’s attitude towards his own right to eat meat? vv14-16,21.

8. The Kingdom of heaven isn’t about eating and drining? What does that mean then? Does it mean God doesn’t care, therefore you can bring it into the church, or does it mean these things are not essential to the kingdom and therefore practice your liberty privately so that the work of the kingdom is done? Which? v17.

9. He serves Christ in this way? What way? Look at the context and elaborate on the ways the brother is serving Christ? Done privately, is it pleasing to God? v18.

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TEXT: “1Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 2One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. 4Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. 7For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

11For it is written,
“AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD.”

12So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. 13Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. 14I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. 16Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. 22The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating Is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.”  (Romans 14)