This lesson teaches children that love helps others, and that we should be careful not to make our friends stumble. It works well for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the verses, and the activity.
Big Idea
Knowing something is true is good, but loving people is even better. When we love others, we choose what helps them grow strong in their faith.
Memory Verse
1 Corinthians 8:1
Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands in front of their chest, then slowly open them wide like a flower blooming on the word “builds.” Say the verse together three times, getting a little softer each time, so the words are easy to remember.
The Story: 1 Corinthians 8 for Kids
Long ago, the people of the city of Corinth lived among many statues of false gods. Some people had food that had first been offered to these statues in a temple, and then sold in the market. Some believers knew that these statues were not real gods at all. They knew that there is only one true God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus Christ.
Paul, a teacher who wrote this letter, explained that knowing this truth is a good thing. But he also said that knowledge alone can make a person feel proud. Love is what truly builds people up. Some of the believers were not as sure about these things, and they felt bad about eating food that had been offered to idols. They worried they were doing something wrong.
Paul said that the food itself does not make us closer to God or farther from Him. Eating or not eating does not change our standing with God. But he warned the believers to be careful. If someone who was still unsure saw a believer eating food from the idol’s temple, that person might think it was fine to do the same, even though his heart still felt uneasy about it.
So Paul gave a loving rule. He said that if his own eating might cause a brother or sister in Christ to stumble, he would choose not to eat that meat at all. He cared more about helping his friends than about having his own way. Paul wanted everyone in the church to grow together in love.
Read It Together
1 Corinthians 8:4
Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no other God but one.
(WEB)
Point out that the believers were sure there is only one God. Ask the children to name what they know about God, and remind them that the statues of false gods were not real.
1 Corinthians 8:8
But food will not commend us to God. For neither, if we don’t eat, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.
(WEB)
Explain that food does not decide whether God loves us. Help the children see that God’s love for us does not depend on what we eat, so we can focus on how we treat other people.
1 Corinthians 8:9
But be careful that by no means does this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to the weak.
(WEB)
Point out the word “careful.” Explain that being careful means thinking about how our actions might affect a friend who feels unsure, and choosing kindness over our own freedom.
Talk About It
- What is one thing you know is true about God that makes you happy?
- Why do you think it is important to think about how our friends feel when we make choices?
- How can knowing something make a person feel proud, and how can love help that feeling?
- Can you think of a time when you gave up something you wanted so a friend could feel comfortable?
- What is one way we can build up our church family this week?
Activity Ideas
Build a Paper Church Wall
You will need paper, crayons, tape, and scissors. Have each child draw a brick and write one kind thing they can do for a friend on it. Tape the bricks together on a wall or door to show how love builds up the church. Talk about how each brick helps the wall stay strong.
The Careful Walk Game
You will need a few pillows or cushions to use as stepping stones and a clear space in the room. Place the stones in a line and have one child at a time walk across while another child calls out encouraging words. Remind them that the goal is to help the walker feel safe, just as we want to help our friends stay steady in their faith.
Love Builds Up Card
You will need a sheet of paper folded in half and crayons or markers. Ask each child to draw a picture of someone they love and write or draw one way they can help that person this week. Let the children take the card home as a reminder to build up the people around them.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter teaches that real knowledge of God should lead to humble love for others. Paul does not say that food is bad or that freedom is wrong. He says that our freedom should always serve the good of people who are still growing in faith. Mature believers give up their own rights when it helps others.
Avoid telling children that eating certain foods is sinful or that they must never do something because someone else might be upset. The point of the passage is love and care for others, not a list of rules about food. Keep the focus on kindness, humility, and caring for friends.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You that You love us and help us grow. Help us to be kind to our friends and careful with how we treat them. Teach us to build each other up with love, just as Jesus loves us. Amen.
