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Seekers for Jesus. R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
Читать онлайн.Название Seekers for Jesus
Год выпуска 0
isbn 9781681677668
Автор произведения R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
Жанр Религия: прочее
Издательство Ingram
Joyfully, Jonathan brought David out of hiding and told him everything that happened. There was no longer a need to hide! They could still be best friends, and Saul was no longer angry with David. This story shows how we can be a good friend and that God can use us to deliver His messages.
Leo and Manuel were best friends. They played on the same basketball team, so they were together most nights for practice. Afterward, they’d usually get milkshakes or burgers. Almost every weekend was spent playing the game and then going to each other’s houses for video games, shooting hoops in the driveway, and eating junk food. But Manuel’s mother didn’t approve of the relationship because she thought Leo was a bad influence because he wasn’t a Christian. She wanted Manuel to focus on his athletics and improving his game. Her hope was for Manuel to make the high school basketball team next year.
Despite his mom’s objections, Manuel invited Leo to church with them almost every Sunday. Sometimes Leo came, and sometimes he didn’t. After a few months of this, Leo came over one Saturday as usual. “Listen, man, I’ve been thinking,” he said. “I’m tired of being half in and half out. I’ve been learning a lot at your church, and I think this Jesus guy is legit. I want to be a Christian.”
Manuel was overjoyed!
The next day, Manuel took Leo to meet with his pastor, and they all prayed together. They also signed Leo up for the next baptism Sunday. Manuel would never forget the wonderful day that his friend became a follower of Jesus.
Most of us don’t enjoy becoming involved in conflict; in fact, we try to avoid it. Jonathan had that option but instead he chose to become involved. His friendship with David meant more to him than the possible consequences of standing up to Saul. Sometimes standing up for our beliefs means that we’ll be in conflict with others—sometimes even with our loved ones. How can we know when to involve ourselves and when to stay out of it? This is where prayer comes in. The answer won’t be the same in every scenario, so you must pray and ask God for wisdom and guidance. He’ll tell you what you’re supposed to do in any given situation as long as you’re willing to listen and obey. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to stand up for either yourself or someone else, causing you to go against family members or friends? Always go to God first and seek His answers. If your parents are simply being good parents, honor them through obedience.
This week, bolster your friendships with the Lord’s help as Jonathan did.
Lesson 2
10/11/20
Loving Those Who Don’t Love Back
Today’s Scripture
Luke 6:27–36
Background Scripture: Luke 6:27–36
CHECK OUT TODAY’S LESSON
NRSV
“BUT I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.
30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.
31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
| Key Verse: | “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:27–28, NRSV) |
Today’s Word
Bullies are everywhere in our society: in our schools, our neighborhoods, maybe even our own families. Your parents/guardians sometimes deal with bullies on their own in the workplace or at social functions. On a national level, you may feel bullied for certain religious or political beliefs. Racism is a prominent form of bullying. With these so-called enemies all around us, what are we supposed to do? Jesus tells us in today’s passage that we are to love our enemies and pray for them. That may seem counterintuitive, so let’s dive into this passage together.
First of all, by telling us to love our enemies, Jesus was acknowledging that we would, in fact, have enemies. This was not a surprise to Him. Despite the fact that enemies and bullies will always be with us, this does not give us license to be bullies in return or to harbor hate against them. You might see the word love and roll your eyes. Come on, you might be thinking. You don’t know so-and-so. It’s not that simple. Actually, it is. If we’re waiting for the fuzzy, warm feelings of love—like when you love a friend or family member—that day will never come! It’s a different kind of love to react kindly and pray blessings over someone who not only doesn’t deserve it, but also is doing the opposite to you. This love is counter-cultural; it goes against our natural inclinations. That’s why it’s so hard to put this kind of love into action.
Love your enemies: a simple sentence, but a difficult concept to live out.
Have you ever watched a group of toddlers? If one has a toy truck and another takes it away from him or her, the first toddler immediately snatches it back. Or if one toddler knocks down another, the fallen one will stand up and shove the instigator back. Retaliation is in our DNA; we have an internal sense of justice: an eye for an eye. We naturally want to do what others have done to us. But Jesus flips that idea on its head in this excerpt. Instead of responding to others according to what they’ve done to us, we’re supposed to treat them how we want to be treated. You may have learned this in kindergarten or grade school. It’s called the golden rule. We must base how we deal with bullies on our own desires and wishes. This needs to become the reality instead of revenge. Is that crazy-difficult? Yes! Jesus didn’t promise that this road was easy. He simply demonstrated the perfect way to live, and the golden rule is part of that lifestyle.
Do you notice in the Bible that Jesus was bullied? People called Him names and spread rumors that He was a drunk, a madman, a blasphemer of God, and an illegitimate son. Despite His miracles and gentle teachings,