Romans 14:1-6 (NLT)

1 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.

5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. 6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God.

Romans 14:1-6 (NLT)

General Context Questions

• Who wrote this? Who is or which groups of people are involved?
• Was this written before, during, or after Jesus’ lifetime?
• Is this a narrative, a parable, a praise, a suggestion, a command, an instruction, or something else?
• Is there anything that stands out to you?
• Did anything confuse you? Were there words or phrases that didn’t make sense?

Specific Questions

• If we’re not supposed to judge other believers, does that mean that we should just let them do whatever they want? Where do you draw the line between action and inaction when you feel like someone is making the wrong choices?
• Are there certain foods that you won’t eat out of a belief that they’re “unclean”? Are there other things in your life that are the way they are strictly to please God?
• If any day can be considered holy and eating or not eating certain foods can be a way of giving thanks to God, what’s the point of these things? Why do they matter?
• Are there other areas besides holy days and food where believers can be accepting of differences in traditions and practices?