One of my favorite downtime activities with my kids is watching certain Disney movies. The “Inside Out” movies have steadily grown to the top of our favorites. This movie explores how a person thinks and operates with many humorous idioms. One of my favorite jokes is when a character knocks over two crates, both with similar-looking tiles. The main character begins to try to sort the mess while saying, “Oh no! These facts and opinions look so similar.” I laugh every time when another character says, “Happens all the time,” and begins to shovel both the facts and opinions back into one box without sorting them. The realness of this scene is so applicable to our everyday lives. 

1. What are some common opinions that get mixed up as facts? 

In Romans chapter 14, Paul addresses the importance of unity within the Church and the potential disruption caused by differing opinions. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that we all must have the same opinion about everything. I have to imagine that even during Jesus’ earthly ministry, Matthew and Simon the Zealot disagreed about some things. God’s Word does not tell us that we have to be cookie cutters of each other, but God’s Word does emphasize that a follower of Christ should prioritize love and unity with their brothers and sisters over personal preferences and judgments. Too often, inside the church, damage can be caused relationally when we struggle to differentiate the differences between our opinions, personal convictions, and the facts of God’s Word. 

2. What common opinions can most harm the Church? What are some truths the Church should never lose hold of? 

Romans 14:13-15 says, “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.” 

3. What does the Bible mean by a “stumbling block” in verse 13? How can we avoid being a stumbling block to others? 

4. What are some common “unclean” activities that can cause a believer to judge others? 

We have to look at ourselves and realize that we are not the standard, Jesus is. While the convictions that we hold, on how we are to live out the realness of the Gospel, are a thing to hold on to, we still must hold on to the truth that it is Jesus’ Word that is fact. Unless we are holding to the words God says properly, we have to walk cautiously when we start looking at how we think things should be. In a world full of broken, fallen people, we will actually encounter someone who sins differently than us. I heard it said, “If you want to aggravate a believer, put them in a room with a person who sins differently than them.” Our focus and goal as believers must be to live in a way that loves God with all that we have and love others as Jesus commands. We must live out our relationship with Jesus in a way where we are not folding to others’ convictions but also ensuring that we are not tripping or hindering others from growing in their walk with Jesus or from encountering Jesus for the first time. For Paul, he is talking to a church that is composed of Jews and Gentiles. Paul urges all those who follow Christ to refrain from passing judgment on one another and to avoid causing others to stumble through their actions. Here, God’s Word highlights the importance of having an opinion while continuing to act in love and being considerate of others’ opinions, views, or convictions. 

5. How do you navigate through the tension of different opinions with people you worship with? 

6. What are some practical ways we, as Jesus’ Church, can prioritize love and consideration for others in our church community that we disagree with? 

Romans 14:16-19 adds, “So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” 

7. How can we balance personal convictions with the need for unity in the church? 

8. Why is it important to consider the spiritual well-being of others in our actions and decisions? 

So often, believers can lose sight of what our focus in life should be. I have had this happen more often than I care to admit. When I start living out my opinions and personal convictions more than living in a way that ensures Christ’s Kingdom is expanding on Earth, I find myself looking less like Christ. I hold fast to the truth that Jesus has built His Church with people who are different from me. Too often, we see others’ differences as a hindrance when, in actuality, it is Christ who brings those to His Church. If the Church was full of people who were just like you, how impactful would the church be? 

9. How can your Growth Community begin pursuing “mutual upbuilding”? 

10. Are there ways you may be causing others to stumble? How can you be more considerate of others’ convictions? 

Opinions should never become something that is used to destroy or diminish a relationship. The one fact every believer should put their utmost confidence in is the Gospel. It is true that God loved a lovely, opinionated world so much He sent His Son to die on the cross for all of humanity. Even if we disagree with a person about something such as politics, tattoos, music, or drinking alcohol, we should never make those issues more important than a person coming to a saving relationship with Jesus.