Romans 14: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Romans 14 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Believers are urged to accept those who are weak in faith without engaging in disputes over opinions (vv. 1-4). Some believers eat all things, while others only eat vegetables.

Key verse

“Therefore let’s not judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block in his brother’s way, or an occasion for falling.”
Romans 14:13 (WEB)

Outline

Romans 14:1–4 Acceptance and Judgment Among Believers
Romans 14:5–9 Observance of Days and Living for the Lord
Romans 14:10–12 Accountability Before God
Romans 14:13–21 Avoiding Stumbling Blocks
Romans 14:22–23 Personal Faith and Conscience
Romans 14:24–26 God's Sovereignty and Glory

Discussion questions

In v3, what does Paul say about eating and judging among believers?
What does Paul say in v17 about God's Kingdom?
In v14, how does Paul’s statement about ‘unclean’ complicate the discussion on dietary practices?
In v15, what is the implication of walking ‘no longer in love’ regarding food choices?
When has your freedom caused someone to stumble, as mentioned in v21?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Romans 14: Matthew 6, Romans 15, 1 Corinthians 8.

Before next time: read Romans 15.