LIFE TOGETHER | SEPTEMBER 14, 2025

Giving Up Your Rights – Chip Henderson

Scripture Highlights

Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 9

In 1 Corinthians 8, we learn that love is greater than freedom. Paul taught that knowledge alone can make us arrogant, but love builds up. Sometimes, believers must lay down their rights for the sake of others. Now in 1 Corinthians 9, Paul points to his own life as an example. He isn’t asking the Corinthians to do anything he isn’t already doing himself.

Paul reminds the church that he had real rights as an apostle. He had the right to financial support, the right to food and drink, and the right to be cared for by those he served (vv. 1-11). Yet he chose not to demand those rights. Instead, he gave them up for the sake of the gospel so that nothing would hinder people from hearing about Christ (vv. 12-18).

More than that, Paul devoted himself to a higher principle: becoming all things to all people so that some might be saved (vv. 19-23). He willingly set aside his preferences to reach people from every background. Finally, he described his life of discipline, comparing it to an athlete training for a race, running with focus and self-control to honor Christ in everything (vv. 24-27).

Paul’s example shows us that true freedom is found not in demanding our rights but in laying them down for the sake of the gospel.

INTRO

Icebreaker

If you had to give up either coffee, your cell phone, or your favorite snacks for a week, which one would you fight hardest to keep?

Transition to Discussion

We all have things we wouldn’t want to give up. In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul shows us that despite having legitimate rights as an apostle, he gave them up so that nothing would get in the way of the gospel. Let’s see how his example challenges us today.

GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

In chapter 8, Paul talked about giving up freedom for others, and in chapter 9, he gives his own example. Why do you think it matters that Paul practiced what he preached, and how does that challenge you?

  • Read 1 Corinthians 9:1-11. Paul had real rights but chose not to use them. When you think about our culture today, what “rights” do people hold onto most tightly? Which of those might God call us to lay down?

  • Read 1 Corinthians 9:12-18. Paul gave up his rights so nothing would hinder the gospel. What are some ways Christians today might unintentionally put obstacles in front of people who need to hear about Jesus?

  • Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. Paul says he became all things to all people for the sake of the gospel. What would it take for you to live with that same kind of gospel-first focus?

  • What personal preferences or comforts are hardest for you to let go of when you’re trying to build relationships with people who are different from you? Why do you think those are so difficult to release?

  • Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Paul compares the Christian life to an athlete in training. What does this teach you about the role of discipline in following Jesus?

  • What helps you stay focused on God’s purpose when it would be easier to live for yourself?

If we followed Paul’s example in this chapter, what are some specific things our group could do together for the sake of the gospel?

NEXT STEP & PRAYER

Paul’s life showed that real influence comes not from demanding rights but from laying them down. He ran his race with focus and discipline, not for his own benefit, but so others could know Christ. Tonight, we want to respond to that example together.

Take a few quiet moments now. Picture the race Paul describes. Ask God:

What might be slowing me down?

What rights, comforts, or distractions am I holding onto that keep me from running freely for Christ?

Write down whatever He shows you. Keep it as a reminder this week to run with focus, not for yourself, but for the sake of the gospel.

I’ll give you 5 minutes to pray, process, and write. Then, I will close our time with prayer.