Session 14

Chapter 14: Unity in Disagreement

From Romans Study

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The One Thing: We must pursue unity with other believers and refuse to let secondary issues divide the Church.

Intro

In Chapter 13, we discussed our responsibility to respect the authorities God has placed over us. We also looked at our call to love our neighbors, realizing that love is the fulfillment of the law. We were encouraged to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" and live with an awareness that our time on earth is short and every action matters.

As we move into Chapter 14, Paul brings the focus back to the internal life of the Church—specifically, how we handle disagreements. Rome was a church made of different cultures and backgrounds. People had very different opinions, and some of these differences were threatening unity in the church. As you read, look for Paul’s plea for unity. He isn’t asking everyone to agree on every secondary issue, but he is asking us to prioritize the "main thing" (the gospel) and the well-being of our brothers and sisters over our own opinions.

Study Questions

1. Read Romans 14:1-4. What does the text say we should do with believers who have different opinions than our own?
2. When it comes to judging "disputable matters," what is our role versus God’s role?
3. According to verses 5-8, what should be the primary motivation for our spiritual disciplines?
4. Read verses 7-9. Paul says we do not live or die to ourselves, but to the Lord. How does this "vertical" focus help resolve "horizontal" disagreements with other believers?
5. According to verses 10-12, who will be judged by God in the end?
6. Read Matthew 7:1-5. What connections do you see between Jesus’ words and Paul’s teaching in this chapter?
7. According to verse 15, what is the ultimate standard we should use when deciding how to exercise our freedom around others?
8. Read verse 17. In the kingdom of God, what is considered primary and what is considered secondary?
9. Highlight verse 19. Where do you see this theme appearing throughout the entire chapter?

One of Paul’s main focuses in the book of Romans is unity within the church. In this video, we look more closely at “spiritual triage,” which helps us to distinguish between core gospel truths and personal opinions.

Discussion Questions

1. "Do not for the sake of ________, destroy the work of God." What would you put in that blank based on your own life?
2. How can we pursue "what makes for peace" without giving up our core convictions?
3. Paul teaches that some beliefs are worth fighting for, while others should not divide us. How do you know which is which?
4. Why is it so dangerous to "destroy the work of God" for the sake of an opinion?
5. Reflect on your study this week. Are there any specific questions you want to discuss or insights you would like to share?