On Sunday, October 27, 2024, Teaching Pastor Bruce Hess’ message is “Message 3 – Your Conscience and Other Believers” from our The Bible and Your Conscience series. Below are some questions for your personal or group reflection.
1. Bruce listed a number of examples of perceived right/wrong issues today that Scripture does not directly address. In your experience, what are some of the most prominent areas where believers often view things differently?
2. Has there been a time in your spiritual walk when you considered something as wrong, but other believers considered it as OK? Explain.
How about the reverse, where you considered some behavior as OK and others considered it to be wrong? Explain again.
3. Have your convictions of right and wrong altered in some way after studying Scripture more fully? Elaborate.
4. Have you ever felt pressure from someone else to violate your conscience?
How did you respond in that situation?
5. Why is it that people in the believing family can so easily view someone who’s conscience may differ from theirs as being spiritually flawed in some way?
6. What does it mean to “never put a stumbling block in the way of a brother”? (see Romans 14:13, 21; 1 Corinthians 8:9, 13)
7. Bruce mentioned five ‘principles of grace’ that can help us develop convictions about issues today that Scripture does not directly address. List them out.
Personal reflection for later:
Is there anything you may be doing or saying that could encourage another believer to potentially violate their conscience?