Friends Do Not Listen to Gossip
Scripture: Proverbs 17:4
An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.
Lesson Objective: To understand the effect that gossip can have on our friendships.
Many a friendship has been destroyed due to gossip and lies that were shared. True friends develop such a relationship that they pretty much know what the other will say or do and thus they will not allow gossip to come between them. If there is ever a question, they will come and ask the other before merely even faintly believing gossip. Proverbs 26:20 says “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases”. Not only should we not be a talebearer, we should not listen to gossip because by listening we are encouraging the spread of tales. If we cease to listen, the one talking will stop coming to us and look for another outlet for their gossip.
Thought for today: The next time someone comes to you with “news” ask them if it is ok to repeat it with their name as the source and see how fast they backtrack.
Husbands Love Your Wives
Scripture: Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.
Lesson Objective: To understand the true relationship between a husband and his wife.
The scripture presents husbands with an unenviable task of loving their wives the same as Christ loved the Church. This means demonstrating the love daily and without any hesitation whatsoever. A friend when providing premarital counseling, tells the soon to be husband that it is his responsibility to court his wife daily. Husbands are to be the spiritual head of the house which means to lead the family in biblical studies, assure that the family is associated with a Church family and that the family is following the commandments of God. A husband who fails to be the spiritual head is not demonstrating the true love of Christ for his wife and family. A husband must also be ready and eager to sacrifice for the good of his family. His needs and desires are secondary to that of the wife and family.
Thought for today: Husband, are you the spiritual head of your house? Wife, are you allowing your husband to be the spiritual head?
Children Love Your Parents
Scripture: Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
Lesson Objective: To understand the importance of children obeying their parents.
Most children would readily admit that they love their parents. However, it is important to note that this love must be demonstrated in the desire of the child to obey and satisfy their parent. Christ said in John 14:15 that if you love me keep my commandments. Just as we show our love for Christ by obeying him, it is imperative that we show that same love to our parents by obeying them. The saying that when I was 18 my parents were the dumbest person on earth but when I turned 30, they became the smartest person on earth has a lot of truth. If children listen to God-fearing parents, they will be able to make better decisions and not have to face many of the problems that they do encounter.
Thought for today: Parents must demand that children obey you or you are not loving them nor are they learning how to love you.
Friends do not misuse Love
Scripture: Judges 14:16
Then Samson's wife wept on him, and said, "You only hate me! You do not love me! You have posed a riddle to the sons of my people, but you have not explained it to me.
Lesson Objective: To understand that friends do not put friends in compromising situations.
“If you love me, you would----“ is usually the wrong way to begin any conversation. This is similar to the guilt trip that people often use to get their way in a given situation. Friends understand the importance of not ever putting their friends in a position where they may have to compromise their beliefs just to appease the other. Love is not something to be put to the test but is something that is genuinely given and shared by true friends.
Thought for today: The next time someone says “ if you love me you would_________” your response should be “ If you love me you would not ask me to __________”.
Loving the Discipline
Scripture: Psalms 119: 47
And I will delight myself in Your commandments, Which I love.
Lesson Objective: To understand that discipline brings love.
A study was completed where individuals in prison were asked a series of questions. The primary question asked was what they thought would have made the biggest difference in their lives. The over whelming response was more discipline. It has been demonstrated time and time again, that while youth may say that they want to be able to do what they wish, that in fact they gravitate toward those who provide a definite line of authority and set reasonable guidelines for them. Youth strive for that consistency of love and discipline. It is important that we teach that following the commandments of God is not a chore but a love, which when followed, leads to a true relationship with Christ.
Thought for today: It is important to know that it is impossible to love God without also loving his commandments for the commandments demonstrate our love for God.
Fellowshipping with
Non-Believers
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness.
Lesson Objective: To understand the difference between fellowshipping and interacting with non-believers.
Fellowshipping is experiencing life together as did the early Church. True fellowshipping can only occur between believers. It is impossible to fellowship with a non-believer. Nor should we try to fellowship with a non-believer. We should not exclude ourselves from joint interactions for it would be impossible to witness if we were to do such. Scripture says that we should be in the world but not of the world. The children of Israel were consistently warned not to intermingle with the Canaanites. We are to be a light to the world .
Thought for today: There is some truth of the old saying that “birds of a feather flock together”. What is your flock?
Walk the Talk
Scripture: 1 John 1:6
If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth
Lesson Objective: To understand that we must be doers of the word.
It is important that we demonstrate our love for each other daily. It is easy for us to claim to be Christians but it is imperative that we act according to the Word of God. James 1:22 states that we must be doers of the word and not just hearers of the word. There are many people to whom we have a chance to witness daily and they are watching us to see how we react in certain situations. It is often not what say but what we do that people remember. For many, we are the only Bible that they may read. Wearing a cross or having a wristband that says WWJD does not make one a Christian. James 2:17 states “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead”.
Thought for today: If asked, what will your co-workers say about your relationship with Christ?
Love your enemies
Scripture: Luke 6:27
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.
Lesson Objective: To understand that we are to love everyone.
It is sometimes hard to love members of our family and friends but it can be doubly difficult to love our enemies. However, the Bible is very clear in that we are to love our enemies. Such love was demonstrated by Christ at his death on Calvary and by Stephen when he was being stoned to death in the presence of Saul. We are to be a witness of our faith in the way that we react with difficult people. The old saying that you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar is so true. A person will begin to deal with you differently if you stop fighting with them and shower them with love. Smile and say good morning until they begin to say good morning and if they never say good morning, smile anyway.
Thought for today: The next time that someone says something negative to you, try smiling and say God Bless and I love you.
How Should We Love
Scripture: John 15:12
My command is this: Love each other as I have Loved you.
Lesson Objective: To understand the depth of the love we should have for each other.
The word love is used 184 times in the New Testament KJV) and 219 times (NLV). This indicates the emphasis that Christ placed on the word during his time here on earth. The Greek word for love is aigavph that we translate as Agape. This is the highest form of love that exceeds love for opposite sex or love for family. This love is reserved for God in that God does not only love but God is love. This love is unmerited as stated in Romans 5: 7-8. There is nothing that we can do that will earn that love but through grace and mercy we have an opportunity to fellowship with Christ in that love.
Thought for today: The challenge for each of us is to love in the same manner as God loves us. We should love in spite of all of our imperfections and weaknesses.