GLUTTONY
Opening Question
When you hear the word “gluttony,” what comes to mind? Why do you think Christians often avoid talking about it?
Understanding Gluttony
Read The following passages:
Philippians 3:18–19.
“For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”
1 Corinthians 6:12–13.
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
Proverbs 25:16.
“If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.”
Read Proverbs 23:20–21.
“Be not among drunkards
or among gluttonous eaters of meat,
for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
and slumber will clothe them with rags.”
Discussion Questions (choose a few)
What words, phrases, or ideas stand out across these four passages?
How would you define gluttony from these passages?
In Philippians 3, what does Paul mean when he says, “their god is their belly”? How can appetite become a form of worship?
In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul says, “I will not be dominated by anything.” What are some signs that food, drink, comfort, or appetite has begun to dominate a person?
Proverbs 23 connects gluttony with drunkenness. Why do you think the Bible often puts these together? What similar impulse might sit underneath both?
How can eating or drinking become a way of escaping stress, sadness, boredom, anxiety, or disappointment?
What is the difference between enjoying food as a gift from God and looking to food for something it cannot give?
Jesus, the Bread of Life
Read John 6:35–40.
35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
Discussion questions (choose a few)
What does Jesus mean when he says, “I am the bread of life”?
How is Jesus better than ordinary bread?
What kinds of hunger and thirst is Jesus speaking to?
What comfort is there for those who feel caught in sin that is hard to beat?
How do verses 39–40 give us hope beyond our present struggles?
How does coming to Christ help us fight gluttony (and sin in general) differently from just “trying harder”?
Application
Jez suggested three practical ways to help ourselves combat gluttony: Daily Bible reading, Fasting, and ensuring we have a helpful environment to not add undue temptation. To what extent have you seen these as being helpful in your own life?
How might a daily habit of Scripture help re-train our desires?
What might fasting reveal about the way our appetites affect us?
What is one practical change you could make this week that would help you engage with food in a healthy way?