Influencers - Day 11
Day 11 - Monday, August 28
Read 1 Corinthians 8
Highlight
Paul shifts his focus to yet another topic as he discusses the freedom we have in Jesus versus how we are meant to leverage that freedom. The Corinthians have written Paul about whether or not it is okay to participate in the pagan rituals that surround them. Paul answered pretty directly - idols are fake, there is only one true God. Thus the food sacrificed to these idols isn’t sacred to another god or gods in the way that some of the Corinthians believed them to be. This is the “knowledge” that Paul references. But whether or not someone is right about an issue is not the most important thing to consider.
According to Paul, the most important thing to consider isn’t knowledge… It’s love. Thus Paul points out that having knowledge about whether idols are real or not is nice… but that isn’t the most important knowledge to possess. The most important knowledge to possess is about love. Certain Christians were using their knowledge to “puff” themselves up rather than to build others up in love. Yet true knowledge involves not merely knowing certain bits of data but living in a way that pleases God.
This idea of choosing to love others and even submit yourselves to them when their “knowledge” may be incomplete is one that Paul talks about frequently. His argument is always the same - Being right without being loving is wrong.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read 1 Corinthians 8
Highlight
Paul shifts his focus to yet another topic as he discusses the freedom we have in Jesus versus how we are meant to leverage that freedom. The Corinthians have written Paul about whether or not it is okay to participate in the pagan rituals that surround them. Paul answered pretty directly - idols are fake, there is only one true God. Thus the food sacrificed to these idols isn’t sacred to another god or gods in the way that some of the Corinthians believed them to be. This is the “knowledge” that Paul references. But whether or not someone is right about an issue is not the most important thing to consider.
According to Paul, the most important thing to consider isn’t knowledge… It’s love. Thus Paul points out that having knowledge about whether idols are real or not is nice… but that isn’t the most important knowledge to possess. The most important knowledge to possess is about love. Certain Christians were using their knowledge to “puff” themselves up rather than to build others up in love. Yet true knowledge involves not merely knowing certain bits of data but living in a way that pleases God.
This idea of choosing to love others and even submit yourselves to them when their “knowledge” may be incomplete is one that Paul talks about frequently. His argument is always the same - Being right without being loving is wrong.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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