Knowledge Puffs Up but Love Builds Up - We Use Knowledge Immorally When It Divides and Makes Proud

Paul said that “Knowledge puffs up but love builds up,” (1 Corinthians 8:1). Knowledge is amoral, but it can be used in moral and immoral ways. We use knowledge morally when it’s combined with love and builds up. We use knowledge immorally when it’s combined with pride and leads to condemning others over nonessentials. God gave us consciences and it's bad when people disobey them; therefore, people with knowledge shouldn't stumble others, or lead them to disobey their consciences.

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SERMON LESSONS for Knowledge Puffs Up but Love Builds Up - We Use Knowledge Immorally When It Divides and Makes Proud

Note: Lessons 1-3 are from the previous sermon.

Lesson 1: Knowledge is amoral, but the way we use it is moral.

Lesson 2: Having knowledge doesn’t always mean determining who’s right and wrong (1 Cor 8:4-8; Rom 14:5).

Lesson 3: Knowledge is used morally when combined with love (1 Cor 8:1; Eph 4:15; Phil 1:9).

Lesson 4: Knowledge is used immorally when:

• (Part I) Combined ________ __________ (1 Cor 8:1).

• (Part II) ____________________ ____________ over nonessentials (Rom 14:1-4, 10, 13).

• (Part III) __________________ others (Rom 2:12-15; 1 Cor 8:9-10)

FAMILY WORSHIP GUIDE for Knowledge Puffs Up but Love Builds Up - We Use Knowledge Immorally When It Divides and Makes Proud

Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 8:1

Day 1: Read 1 Corinthians 8:1-7 and discuss: Why did the Corinthians’ knowledge puff them up? What does it look like to use our knowledge to build up others? What about using it to build up ourselves in pride? What are some ways we can use knowledge to build up others? What are some ways we can work to prevent knowledge from building us up in pride?

Day 2: Read Romans 14:1-3 and discuss: What does it look like to condemn others with our knowledge? When should we condemn others with our knowledge? When shouldn’t we? How do we know the difference? What makes something an opinion (nonessential) versus an essential? Why does the person with more liberty condemn the person with less? Why does the person with less liberty condemn the person with more liberty?

Day 3: Read Romans 2:12-15 and 1 Corinthians 8:9-10 and discuss: Why are Jews condemned before God? Why are Gentiles condemned before God? Describe our consciences and how they work. What does it mean to stumble others? Why is it an immoral use of knowledge to do so?

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