Weekly Discussion Guide

1. Open with prayer. (2-5 min)
2. Read Romans 15:1-9.
3. Discuss these questions with your group. (20-45 min)

MY STORY | Starting Place
Do you have a friend or loved one who came to know Jesus out of a morally-challenging way of living? How did you handle their relational choices while they were curiously exploring the claims of Jesus?

DIGGING DEEPER | Practical Biblical Application
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”
(Romans 15:1-9)

What are the cultural practices which are completely out-of-bounds for Christians—in other words, what’s non-negotiable in your opinion?

What are some cultural practices that Christians have freedom with which to participate or refrain—in other words, what’s negotiable in your opinion?

How have you had to negotiate some of these practices when it comes to engaging with your non-Christian neighbors?

What type of believer do you consider to be weak in the faith?

Why would another believer consider you to be weak in the faith?

Are such assessments helpful and fair? Why?

GROWING TOGETHER | Spiritual Friendship
What concessions can you make with integrity in order to cultivate strong friendship bonds with certain Christians and non-Christians?

What demands upon you, by other Christians, would you consider to be unreasonable, to which you would need to say “no”?

Give an example of a practice with which you feel freedom, but a non-Christian might think inconsistent for someone who claims to follow Christ. How would you negotiate that practice with this particular person?

As we walk out the “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:11-21) with others, What advice can we live by to LOVE people, but not necessarily AFFIRM their choices?

MOVING OUTWARD | Faith in Action
Think of a brother or sister in the faith who you consider to be a little more fragile in their opinions about certain practices. Determine to respect those preferences when you’re around that person.

Find out what behavior expectations one of your non-Christians neighbors has of those who follow Christ, and talk through those assumptions with this neighbor.