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"Respond In Love"

GOLDEN TEXT: - "Take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to hem that are weak" (1 Corinthians 8:9).

SCRIPTURE LESSON TEXT:

1. COR. 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

2. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

3. But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

4. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

5. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

6. But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

7. Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

8. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

9. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

10. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

11. And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12. But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

13. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

NOTES ON THE LESSON:

Christ accepts all who trust Him, and we should too. Today's lesson, taken from First Corinthians - Chapter 8, focuses on writing by Paul (as inspired by God, The Holy Spirit) and is found in the New Testament. This letter from Paul to the church in Corinth is about the need for believers to consider what effect their actions have on others in God's family. Paul said elsewhere, "Walk in love" (Eph. 5:2). That is certainly what is in view in I Corinthians 8.

The question that evidently was troubling the Corinthians had to do with meat that was sold to the public after it had been offered in idol worship. Was it proper, they wanted to know, for Christians to eat such meat? Paul's response was, in effect, "It depends."

The meat was merely meat. Eating it or not eating it neither helped nor hindered one's spiritual life. Some believers understood that the idol that was given a meat offering was only wood or stone. They knew they were not participating in idol worship when they ate such meat, and they saw no problem with doing so.

Other believers, however, saw themselves as somehow taking part in the worship of an idol if they ate something that had been offered to it. They truly believed that eating the meat would be sin; and for these people, eating would be sin, for they saw problem with doing so.

Other believers, however, saw themselves as somehow taking part in the worship of an idol if they ate something that had been offered to it. They truly believed that eating the meat would be sin; and for these people, eating would be sin, for they believed doing so would displease God.

TRUTHS TO STRESS:

a. We must be careful never to make it easy for someone else to do wrong.

b. Showing love to others is Jesus' way.

PLANNING VISUAL AIDS:
For Telling the Lesson, prepare the following three signs, using different colored markers: "Careful," "Bible Love," and "Jesus' Way." The "Careful" sign will also be used in Telling How to Live.

For Helping to Remember, provide for each child two 9-inch circles, cut from different colors of construction paper. For each circle print "Please turn over" on a gummed label. Bring crayons and glue.

For Beginning the Lesson, you will need the scroll from lesson 1. If you don't have a scroll, create one ahead of time by using a piece of blank paper, and gluing two dowels (each measuring  12.5 inches long and 1" in diameter) - one to the top and one dowel to the bottom of the paper.

BEGINNING THE LESSON:

We know the Bible is God's Book. (Hold up your Bible.) Just one of the wonderful things about the Bible is that it is for us today as much as it was for people long ago. Some of those people lived in Corinth. I am sure you remember that Paul wrote to his church friends who lived there. (Show scroll.) Now Paul's letter is here in the Bible. We call it 1 Corinthiians. (Point to that book in your Bible.)

TELLING THE LESSON:

God's people in Corinth had written to Paul, asking some questions. Many of their questions were about getting along with other people. When he wrote back, Paul told them what was best to do.

He talked about getting along with the people in their own families first. Then he told them to be very careful about something else. (Show "Careful.")
They needed to be extra careful never to do anything that would help another person choose to do wrong. Maybe some of the people were doing that without meaning to. The Bible does not say, but Paul wanted to make sure none of God's grown-up children in Corinth ever made it easy for another of His children to not please the Lord Jesus. God's children today need to be careful about the same thing. (Hold up "Careful.")

Paul's letter teaches us that boys and girls too must never, ever try to get someone else to do anything that we know would not please Jesus. Anytime we make it easy for somebody else to do something that is wrong for him to do, we are doing wrong.

Paul did not use these words, but what he was really saying was "Love one another." You see, Bible love is not liking. Bible love is doing what is good for the other person. (Show "Bible Love.") Keeping your friend from doing wrong is showing Bible love. Making it easy for him to break rules is not loving. Showing Bible love is Jesus' way. Thinking about other people, not just ourselves, is Jesus' way. (Hold up "Jesus' Way.") Doing what is good for others is Jesus' way. Helping other people choose to do right is Jesus' way. Putting other people first-that is Jesus' way.

QUESTIONS

1. "What are some things that Jesus did for others that we can do, too?"
Answers: "Do what is good for others." "Help other people choose to do what is right." "Put other people first."
2. "Where should we show God's love first?
Answer: "At home, with our family members (such as our parents, sisters, brothers, grand-parents, aunts, uncles, etc.) and people who visit our home."

TELLING HOW TO LIVE:

Sometimes your parents might allow you to do something that your friend's parents do not allow him to do. Be careful. (Show "Careful.") Never ask your friend to disobey his parents so that you can do something together that you want to do.

Maybe there are some shows on television that he is not allowed to watch but you are. Be courteous and do not watch them when he is visiting. If you are permitted to ride your bike or walk to places that your friend is not allowed to go to, do not ask him to go to that place without first asking his parents' permission. It is very important that you not do anything that would cause another person to do wrong.

Be careful. (Continue holding the "Careful" sign.) Think about what is good and right for that boy or girl you are with. Ask Jesus to help you do what is best for others.

3. "Why do we need to be careful about what we encourage others to do?"

Answers: "Because what we do can influence others to either do right or do wrong." Because if we encourage a friend to do wrong, and they do it, we are just as wrong as they are and will suffer consequences, too." Because God wants us to be good examples for those around us."

4. "What are some things that your parents allow you to do that your friends aren't allowed to do when they visit you?"

Possible Answers: "Watch popular movies." "Play video games." "Play contact sports." "Read books that have un-Christian theme - such as books from The Harry Potter series."

5. "Is it right for you to make fun of a person who does not want to do or is not allowed to do things that you can or want to do?"

Answer: "No." Be prepared to discuss why this is not God's way.

EXPLAINING THE GOLDEN TEXT: - "Take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak" (1 Corinthians 8:9).

God's people should be careful never to do anything that would help somebody else do a thing he thought was wrong.

HELPING TO REMEMBER

Distribute a circle of each color to each child. On one the student will print "Jesus' Way" in large letters and on the other "Love." Have them attach "Please turn over" to the bottom of each circle. Instruct the students to glue the circles back to back. Time permitting, the children may decorate both sides with floral designs.

Have children complete the following paper pencil activity: 'The Respond In Love' Puzzle. Allow students 10 to 15 minutes to complete this activity. If they finish sooner, great! Be prepared to provide the answers, so students can check their work and just in case students are unable to locate some of the words. This activity is designed to help students recall key points about today's lesson.

 

WORD SEARCH

 

Respond In Love (1 Corinthians 8:1-13)

 

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Lesson Summarized By
Barbara Palmer

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