Key Ideas
Faith Fact
Jesus rewards His people.
Faith Verse
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
Question of the Day: Do Christians ever make mistakes and sin?
Read about It
Read: Romans 14:7–13
God tells us through these verses that what we do matters to Him—and to other people. Have you ever fought with another Christian? God tells us not to do that because it shows that we’ve forgotten that we’re on the same team: we are both following God. If you’re on a sports team, you shouldn’t fight with your teammates, right? It doesn’t help your team if you do that.
Romans 14:10 asks, “Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” Christians are all teammates with God as our Coach. We can’t be the coach in someone else’s life. We must all listen to and obey God. When we don’t, we’ve made a mistake.
Christians can make mistakes. They’re human! Instead of making the mistake of fighting with another Christian, we can ask God to help us both. Romans 14:13 says: “So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.”
We have choices on how we should live our life. We can live our life bringing pain and hurt to others, or we can live our life so that others can experience God’s love and grow in their walk with Him. How we treat others is important. God rewards our good choices with more peace in our relationships and with eternal life with Him.
Talk about It
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Question 1. Christians don’t live or die for themselves. For whom do they live or die? Answer 1. The Lord (Romans 14:8)
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| Question 2. Why did Christ die and rise again?
Answer 2. “Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.” (Romans 14:9).
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| Question 3. Instead of condemning and looking down on other believers, how should we live instead?
Answer 3. “Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.” (Romans 14:13)
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| Question 4. How can we trip another Christian and make them stumble and fall?
Answer 4. Answers may vary, including with hurtful words.
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| Question 5. If there’s a Christian you’re fighting with right now, how can you change your behavior?
Answer 5. Answers will vary. |
Pray about It
Dear God, thank You for reminding me that other believers and I are on the same team—Your team. Please help me not to trip others with my words and actions. Help me instead to encourage them to be more like You! We will all give account of our life to You, and I’m so thankful that Jesus died in my place. Help me to be more like You in the way I treat other people. Amen.