Reality Check

Teacher’s Resource:
Bwana’s Guide:

 – David F. Coppedge


Theme:  Christians typically smile on some physical things and frown on others.  Legalism would
simply make a list of forbidden things, while libertinism would say salvation provides liberty to indulge.
Neither extreme is Biblical.  In our text, Paul provides four principles for how to enjoy creation’s
“good things” with a clear conscience.

Text:  I Tim 4:3b-5
...foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

Criteria:  What things are “good” and “not to be rejected”?

  1. Created by God:  Is it in the original created form? Discussion: what were the results of the Fall (Gen. 3) on the original goodness of creation?

  2. Received with thanksgiving:  Does it glorify God when I enjoy it?
  3. Sanctified by the Word of God:  Does it not violate Scripture?
  4. Sanctified by prayer:  Can I ask God to bless it?
Application:  In light of these criteria, evaluate various “created” things, such as food, drugs, sex, thorns, poisonous plants, alcohol, cholesterol, mosquitoes, marijuana, tobacco, meat vs vegetables, etc.  Help the audience use the principles rather than making a list of good and bad, do’s and don’ts.

Activity:  Memorize the text, I Tim. 4:4-5.