Lesson 11: Giving
Attention: Eric has kindly agreed to teach this lesson, so please gather in any 1 of the three rooms, try to get the girls to sit in front. =)
Anyway... this are my thoughts on the lesson and do take a look at the comments page in case your students have questions regarding tithing and giving.
(expanded from the lesson guide)
Why do you think you should be giving (not limited to tithing)? [Reason behind giving]
- let them come up with their own ans
- But does God require anything? No, cause He was the one to provide us with resources in the 1st place, so why are we giving?
- (vs 7) It is just as important as other things that we do when we follow God - faith, speech, knowledge
- (vs 13-15) God provides some of us with more resources so that we can show His love and share to those who have less
What should be our attitude towards giving? (may it be to people we want to show God’s love to or in tithes) [Attitude behind giving]
- give as much as you are able to, entirely on your own (means if should be out of your own free will) (vs 3)
- give yourselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will (means that the motivation behind giving should be first to glorify God then to give to others because that is God’s will) (vs 5)
- give not because it is a commandment but because we want to be more like Christ and because you sincerely love the people around you (vs 8-9)
Purpose of the lesson – To encourage them to pledge (since this Sunday is pledge Sunday)
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Ask your students to imagine what would happen if the whole world decided to stop giving.
Eg. If God stopped giving sunshine
- Nobody will be able to receive, and in return they would be unable to help others
- If God stopped giving, we would all die à God provides us with what we need to survive
Read 2 Corinthians 8: 1 -15
How do the churches in Macedonia give?
- They gave as much as they were able to, and sometimes even beyond their ability
- They did it on their own free will
- They saw giving as a privilege
- Above all, they gave even though they were going through troubled and hard times
Do we give like them? Why or why not?
- Not giving offering when they don’t have enough money
- Giving because their friends are doing / parents ask them to
What has God given to all of us?
- Gave us life (on earth and in heaven)
- Sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins (Abundant grace)
- Choice (decisions to make in life)
- Spiritual gifts (which we can use to reach out to others)
If God can give us so much, why is it we find it so hard to give him a small amount of our money?
With regards to giving, what does God expect from us?
2 Corinthians 8:12 - Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. (NLT version)
2 Corinthians 9:7 - Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
If you want, you might want to mention about the difference between tithing and offering.
The tithe is the tenth of all the increase that God gives to you. What does "increase" include? "Increase" is everything that increases the value of earthly possessions that God places into your trust, whether it be earned income or unearned gifts. It is giving back to God a portion of what he has given to us.
Offerings are gifts brought to God beyond the tithes, which we give to show our appreciation for what he has given to us.
It is alright not to give offering, even though we encourage them to. However they should tithe as it is a form of returning what God gave to us. (Malachi 3: 8 – 12)
Posted by:
Shawn, Samantha, Wei Chen, Eddy
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Love Your Enemies (20/7)
Lesson 10: Love Your Enemies
1) Opening questions:
a. What are enemies?
Define: ‘enemies’
- this might be easier for the boys as they are likely to have some people that they so not like in school or within the sec one group
- for them, ‘enemies’ would mean someone they do not like or someone who does not like them (and thus they would dislike that person in return)
- for the girls, they might say that they do not have any ‘enemies’ because they do not have someone they ‘hate’ in school, or they get along with everyone normally
- in this case, can ask them to think about their friends’ ‘enemies’ as they’ll most probably dislike people whom their friends do not like as well
- can link to ‘peace in persecution’ lesson also, where non-believers might look as Christians differently because of our beliefs, question or even make fun of us (we will definitely have enemies as Jesus has enemies too)
b. How do people usually deal with their enemies?
c. What are some of the consequences? (we might think that we have gotten our revenge against our enemies but this does not take away the hate that we have) (in the end it will cause hurt to both the person and ourselves) (one of the answers to question 2 as well)
2) Why do we have to love our enemies?
- it is God’s commandment, part of following Christ (Matt 5:43-48)
- the first step in helping us to share the gospel with others (Christ died so that men can not only be reconciled to God but also, men to men- to be united as Christians)
- if we do not practise it, how can we bring others to Christ?
3) What does it mean to ‘love our enemies’?
- it is easy to love those who are loveable (our friends, family members) and natural to hate those who hate us (we find the excuse that it is justifiable) but this is not what God wants us to do
- loving our enemies would mean treating them like the way we treat our friends (being willing to do what is beneficial for them)
4) How can we go about loving our enemies? (Since we do not like them because of certain reasons, it would be difficult to actually care for them)
- assure them that it is difficult but not impossible (gradual process)
- ask them to start by praying for the person or people they do not like or stop saying bad things about the person or people
- then go on treat the person or people better
- continually asking God for help in dealing with their enemies and strength to love their enemies
- actions speak louder than words
Janice, Elizabeth, Victor, Ying Jie, Tim
1) Opening questions:
a. What are enemies?
Define: ‘enemies’
- this might be easier for the boys as they are likely to have some people that they so not like in school or within the sec one group
- for them, ‘enemies’ would mean someone they do not like or someone who does not like them (and thus they would dislike that person in return)
- for the girls, they might say that they do not have any ‘enemies’ because they do not have someone they ‘hate’ in school, or they get along with everyone normally
- in this case, can ask them to think about their friends’ ‘enemies’ as they’ll most probably dislike people whom their friends do not like as well
- can link to ‘peace in persecution’ lesson also, where non-believers might look as Christians differently because of our beliefs, question or even make fun of us (we will definitely have enemies as Jesus has enemies too)
b. How do people usually deal with their enemies?
c. What are some of the consequences? (we might think that we have gotten our revenge against our enemies but this does not take away the hate that we have) (in the end it will cause hurt to both the person and ourselves) (one of the answers to question 2 as well)
2) Why do we have to love our enemies?
- it is God’s commandment, part of following Christ (Matt 5:43-48)
- the first step in helping us to share the gospel with others (Christ died so that men can not only be reconciled to God but also, men to men- to be united as Christians)
- if we do not practise it, how can we bring others to Christ?
3) What does it mean to ‘love our enemies’?
- it is easy to love those who are loveable (our friends, family members) and natural to hate those who hate us (we find the excuse that it is justifiable) but this is not what God wants us to do
- loving our enemies would mean treating them like the way we treat our friends (being willing to do what is beneficial for them)
4) How can we go about loving our enemies? (Since we do not like them because of certain reasons, it would be difficult to actually care for them)
- assure them that it is difficult but not impossible (gradual process)
- ask them to start by praying for the person or people they do not like or stop saying bad things about the person or people
- then go on treat the person or people better
- continually asking God for help in dealing with their enemies and strength to love their enemies
- actions speak louder than words
Janice, Elizabeth, Victor, Ying Jie, Tim
Saturday, July 5, 2008
BGR 2
Main Focus of the lesson: what are the values we shld cultivate b4 we are in a r/s n if we are in a r/s as Christians and where should we shld draw e line in bgr n y
To start off the lesson you could ask them to think where they should draw the line in relationships (make use of the white board or paper) to draw a level of intimacy chart:
Sexual intercourse
Oral Sex
Mutual Masturbation
Heavy Petting
Petting
Prolonged Kissing
Kissing
Cuddling
Embracing
Holding Hands
Detailed explainations of the above are in your leader's guide (start from the bottom up if u think tt they may be embarrassed, stop when you think you should)
Where should our boundaries be as Christians? Where should we draw the line when Christians around us are going beyond the 'line'?
Ask them to refer to this:
1 Timothy 5Advice About Widows, Elders and Slaves 1Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
What is absolute purity? Then ask them again where they should draw the line.
We have established our boundaries, so what now? What happens when we fall in love at this age where our parents don't want us to get attached or when the person is not a Christian?
The first thing to note is thatt love is not blind. You don't have to let yourself fall in love with somebody because you have no choice. The fact is love is a choice in itself. You can choose who you want to love and how you want to love that person.
Could we date Non-Christians?
Some people do not view having a non-Christian spouse/partner as a problem. People may say religions don't matter as long as both parties have other common grounds. The bible says in 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?" God isn't saying you shouldn't mix with Christian friends or that He's trying to stop you from being together with the one you are so madly in love with. (recall the previous lesson on Gen)But think about it; loving a man/woman who is not committed to Christ means that you'd be a lone ranger in your pursuit of Christdom. You will feel guilty, anxious, discouraged, lonely and frustrated when he can't support or see eye to eye with what you are doing. It'll be a matter of time before you get your priorities all wrong and put your boyfriend/ girlfriend above God. Even if you think you are strong enough to resist being changed by your boyfriend/girlfriend, let's not underestimate their influence on our lives. Like it or not, they can change us far more than what our friends or parents can. Secondly, do not also think that you will succeed in converting the person, so it's alright to get into a relationship first. Which way is it easier; converting him/her or making you backslide? (main point to note is that the verse is a warning to us, just like how we are given a choice in our salvation, it applies here too and we would always have to pay the consequence of our decisions)(remember that our role as leaders is not to be like their parents, but to explain to them the rationale behind some stuff and support them when they struggle with problems)
So knowing that, what are the pointers or values we should look out for in a relationship?
1. Begin with the end in mind:
What we normally want to start a relationship doesn't make us what to see the end of it. So if we do not have a good reason for it and believe in it, we would see nothing much of it either. Think about it; why do you want a gf/bf if you are not really intending to be with him/her for a long time. Just so you can get all the pleasures of hugging and kissing, of hearing him/her mutter sweet nothings, of receiving mushy smses and staring at them forever blah blah? Just coz these things aren't exactly particularly harmful, does it make you less sinful when you think about indulging in such pleasures all day and forget everything else. You don't need to have a bf/gf to prove your worth or value.
2. Slowness does mean ineffective.Growth for some of us is slower than others, sometime it make us think that because our friends grow faster, they know more things, experience more things. And most of the time, the bad things that our parent say looks cool on this people such that it no longer is good to be a good person. Everyone is different. Don't need to compare. If you're not ready for a relationship or whatever other reasons, why force yourself.
3. We fall in love with someone because we fall in love with love.But the real love is still missing in our lives. Let's just face it. Who can guarantee an everlasting worldly love. Even the sweetest of relationships can turn sour. Let us recognise even now who we need. Do not think drowning your sorrows after a breakup in emo sad songs and swallowing tens of panadols/ sleeping pills, cutting your wrist make you very cool. It's rubbish!!!
Another important value which i feel is important to even start thinking or planning now is to state the qualities you hope to find in a partner. You must understand it's not wrong to have expectations like for a girl to hope for a guy who doesn't drink or smoke, is refined or cultured. There's nothing wrong about that. But let's just hope there's that one quality that you'd place as the most important: GOD-FEARING. don't you hope that certain someone loves God as much as you do. What sort of relationship is the strongest? That built on the foundations of God!!! and link this back to the drawing of boundaries in r/s, if God were to see you with this person or doing something (eg. kissing) with the person you are going out with, do you think He would be pleased?
To start off the lesson you could ask them to think where they should draw the line in relationships (make use of the white board or paper) to draw a level of intimacy chart:
Sexual intercourse
Oral Sex
Mutual Masturbation
Heavy Petting
Petting
Prolonged Kissing
Kissing
Cuddling
Embracing
Holding Hands
Detailed explainations of the above are in your leader's guide (start from the bottom up if u think tt they may be embarrassed, stop when you think you should)
Where should our boundaries be as Christians? Where should we draw the line when Christians around us are going beyond the 'line'?
Ask them to refer to this:
1 Timothy 5Advice About Widows, Elders and Slaves 1Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
What is absolute purity? Then ask them again where they should draw the line.
We have established our boundaries, so what now? What happens when we fall in love at this age where our parents don't want us to get attached or when the person is not a Christian?
The first thing to note is thatt love is not blind. You don't have to let yourself fall in love with somebody because you have no choice. The fact is love is a choice in itself. You can choose who you want to love and how you want to love that person.
Could we date Non-Christians?
Some people do not view having a non-Christian spouse/partner as a problem. People may say religions don't matter as long as both parties have other common grounds. The bible says in 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?" God isn't saying you shouldn't mix with Christian friends or that He's trying to stop you from being together with the one you are so madly in love with. (recall the previous lesson on Gen)But think about it; loving a man/woman who is not committed to Christ means that you'd be a lone ranger in your pursuit of Christdom. You will feel guilty, anxious, discouraged, lonely and frustrated when he can't support or see eye to eye with what you are doing. It'll be a matter of time before you get your priorities all wrong and put your boyfriend/ girlfriend above God. Even if you think you are strong enough to resist being changed by your boyfriend/girlfriend, let's not underestimate their influence on our lives. Like it or not, they can change us far more than what our friends or parents can. Secondly, do not also think that you will succeed in converting the person, so it's alright to get into a relationship first. Which way is it easier; converting him/her or making you backslide? (main point to note is that the verse is a warning to us, just like how we are given a choice in our salvation, it applies here too and we would always have to pay the consequence of our decisions)(remember that our role as leaders is not to be like their parents, but to explain to them the rationale behind some stuff and support them when they struggle with problems)
So knowing that, what are the pointers or values we should look out for in a relationship?
1. Begin with the end in mind:
What we normally want to start a relationship doesn't make us what to see the end of it. So if we do not have a good reason for it and believe in it, we would see nothing much of it either. Think about it; why do you want a gf/bf if you are not really intending to be with him/her for a long time. Just so you can get all the pleasures of hugging and kissing, of hearing him/her mutter sweet nothings, of receiving mushy smses and staring at them forever blah blah? Just coz these things aren't exactly particularly harmful, does it make you less sinful when you think about indulging in such pleasures all day and forget everything else. You don't need to have a bf/gf to prove your worth or value.
2. Slowness does mean ineffective.Growth for some of us is slower than others, sometime it make us think that because our friends grow faster, they know more things, experience more things. And most of the time, the bad things that our parent say looks cool on this people such that it no longer is good to be a good person. Everyone is different. Don't need to compare. If you're not ready for a relationship or whatever other reasons, why force yourself.
3. We fall in love with someone because we fall in love with love.But the real love is still missing in our lives. Let's just face it. Who can guarantee an everlasting worldly love. Even the sweetest of relationships can turn sour. Let us recognise even now who we need. Do not think drowning your sorrows after a breakup in emo sad songs and swallowing tens of panadols/ sleeping pills, cutting your wrist make you very cool. It's rubbish!!!
Another important value which i feel is important to even start thinking or planning now is to state the qualities you hope to find in a partner. You must understand it's not wrong to have expectations like for a girl to hope for a guy who doesn't drink or smoke, is refined or cultured. There's nothing wrong about that. But let's just hope there's that one quality that you'd place as the most important: GOD-FEARING. don't you hope that certain someone loves God as much as you do. What sort of relationship is the strongest? That built on the foundations of God!!! and link this back to the drawing of boundaries in r/s, if God were to see you with this person or doing something (eg. kissing) with the person you are going out with, do you think He would be pleased?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Taking stock
It has been half a year since we have all started serving the sec 1s, so I think it is a good time to take stock of our spiritual well-being. Have you grown to rely on God more in this half year or are you getting more and more tired with the commitments in your life?
I have currently started doing the Love Singapore - 40 Days of Concerted Prayer and Fasting (the black book that they were giving out last Sunday) and I do encourage all of you to read it and take stock of your spiritual welfare. =) If you dun have the book then go to this webbie http://www.lovesingapore.org.sg/, the daily readings are all there. If you haven been doing ur daily bread on a daily basis, I would challenge you guys to commit yourselves to God and read this for these 6 weeks.
A small extract from Day 2: (Isaiah 58)
' Rebellion is a subtle sin... This is a great trap that ensnares many Christians today in busy, image-conscious, performance-driven Singapore! We tend to equate spirituality with Christian ritual or activity. Do not be decieved. God is not mocked. He sees through all the superficiality. Christian rituals and ministry-busyness without heart transformation is profoundly offensive to Him... "why have we put in so much effort, spent so much money on so much stuff and still end up having so little to show for? Why have we prayed long and loud, and still there's no turn around - no revelation, no revival, no results?"'
Are we disheartened from serving without seeing visible results? Are we too busy for God? Take some time to take stock and see where you stand with God today. =)
I have currently started doing the Love Singapore - 40 Days of Concerted Prayer and Fasting (the black book that they were giving out last Sunday) and I do encourage all of you to read it and take stock of your spiritual welfare. =) If you dun have the book then go to this webbie http://www.lovesingapore.org.sg/, the daily readings are all there. If you haven been doing ur daily bread on a daily basis, I would challenge you guys to commit yourselves to God and read this for these 6 weeks.
A small extract from Day 2: (Isaiah 58)
' Rebellion is a subtle sin... This is a great trap that ensnares many Christians today in busy, image-conscious, performance-driven Singapore! We tend to equate spirituality with Christian ritual or activity. Do not be decieved. God is not mocked. He sees through all the superficiality. Christian rituals and ministry-busyness without heart transformation is profoundly offensive to Him... "why have we put in so much effort, spent so much money on so much stuff and still end up having so little to show for? Why have we prayed long and loud, and still there's no turn around - no revelation, no revival, no results?"'
Are we disheartened from serving without seeing visible results? Are we too busy for God? Take some time to take stock and see where you stand with God today. =)
Saturday, June 28, 2008
A Paradoxical Principle
"Teach us, Good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deservest; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that we do Thy will. Through Jesus Christ our Lord."-prayer by Saint Ignatius of Loyola-
Was reading a book (Let me be a Woman by Elizabeth Elliot) and came across this, just wanted to share this with you guys as we are all serving. I know its draining for you guys (I know I was but am recovering) Hope this encourages you to continue serving God and His people and to draw upon His strength for He never fails. =)
Was reading a book (Let me be a Woman by Elizabeth Elliot) and came across this, just wanted to share this with you guys as we are all serving. I know its draining for you guys (I know I was but am recovering) Hope this encourages you to continue serving God and His people and to draw upon His strength for He never fails. =)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Lesson 9: BGR 1
1. Why do we look for a boyfriend/girlfriend?
- peer pressure: all their friends are dating
- Loneliness: want company from someone
- Marriage: we want our bf/gf to be our future partner (might not apply to the sec 1s at their age)
2. What are the benefits and harms of being in a relationship?
Benefits:
- Have company from someone - they do not feel lonely
- Able to brag to friends
Harms:
- Parents might not approve them being in a relationship, so they would hide the truth from their parents (disobeying their parents)
- Affect their studies (One of God's purposes for them now is to be a student and study hard)
- Drift away from their friends and hence neglect outreach to them
- Possibility of giving in to temptations
- Friendship affected after the breakup
Therefore, based on the benefits and harms, when we get into a relationship, we focus more on ourselves and less on God.
3. When do you think is the right time to get into a relationship?
there is no right or wrong answer for this question, but we should try to convince our students that now is not the right time for a relationship.
4. Is it necessary for you to get into a relationship now?
No.
"Seek first his kingdom, and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33
One of God's purposes for them is to focus on their studies, as well as continue to outreach to others. Therefore, we should focus on these as well as continue to seek God. According to his plan, when the time is right, he will lead us into a relationship with the right person.
Cheers (:
Shawn, Wei Chen, Samantha Heng, Eddy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We haven been doing proper bible studying as in reading and studying a passage of the Word so i suggest that you go through Gen 2:18-25. ask them to summarise the passage and go through each verse with them.
e.g. VS 18: "... it is not good that man should be alone..." Does that mean that God created something bad? What does it mean by "not good"? What is the role of a "helper comparable to" Adam?
VS 19-20 has only 1 main point
VS 21-24 also has only 1 main point (we might see e point diff though, so do ur own studying =))
you may not want to do vs 25 as it may be a bit hard for them to grasp at their age. the main purpose of doing this passage is to point out to them that feeling attraction to the opposite sex is a normal thing and it is something that is purposed by God. it is like an opening to the lesson to follow. then the lesson will go on to how we have deviated from what God has purposed us to do and that is to first 'tend the garden' (2:15) and to 'help' (vs 20). but instead we put ourselves first and seek to fill the God-shaped hole within us by seeking partners to fulfill our desires and wants. yupz. if you had gone for the workshop that JD and MingHui conducted at tacklecamp last year, i suggest that you refer to it. alternatively, go here: http://sheepinwolfclothing.blogspot.com/2005/08/ikan-bilis-group-leaders-material-bgr.html
the following lesson would be about the values we should have as we enjoy singlehood. for a rough idea to the group preparing next go here: http://sheepinwolfclothing.blogspot.com/2005/08/ikan-bilis-group-leaders-material-bgr_26.html
we should have a debate in place of lesson one of these days, would be interesting... =)
- peer pressure: all their friends are dating
- Loneliness: want company from someone
- Marriage: we want our bf/gf to be our future partner (might not apply to the sec 1s at their age)
2. What are the benefits and harms of being in a relationship?
Benefits:
- Have company from someone - they do not feel lonely
- Able to brag to friends
Harms:
- Parents might not approve them being in a relationship, so they would hide the truth from their parents (disobeying their parents)
- Affect their studies (One of God's purposes for them now is to be a student and study hard)
- Drift away from their friends and hence neglect outreach to them
- Possibility of giving in to temptations
- Friendship affected after the breakup
Therefore, based on the benefits and harms, when we get into a relationship, we focus more on ourselves and less on God.
3. When do you think is the right time to get into a relationship?
there is no right or wrong answer for this question, but we should try to convince our students that now is not the right time for a relationship.
4. Is it necessary for you to get into a relationship now?
No.
"Seek first his kingdom, and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33
One of God's purposes for them is to focus on their studies, as well as continue to outreach to others. Therefore, we should focus on these as well as continue to seek God. According to his plan, when the time is right, he will lead us into a relationship with the right person.
Cheers (:
Shawn, Wei Chen, Samantha Heng, Eddy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We haven been doing proper bible studying as in reading and studying a passage of the Word so i suggest that you go through Gen 2:18-25. ask them to summarise the passage and go through each verse with them.
e.g. VS 18: "... it is not good that man should be alone..." Does that mean that God created something bad? What does it mean by "not good"? What is the role of a "helper comparable to" Adam?
VS 19-20 has only 1 main point
VS 21-24 also has only 1 main point (we might see e point diff though, so do ur own studying =))
you may not want to do vs 25 as it may be a bit hard for them to grasp at their age. the main purpose of doing this passage is to point out to them that feeling attraction to the opposite sex is a normal thing and it is something that is purposed by God. it is like an opening to the lesson to follow. then the lesson will go on to how we have deviated from what God has purposed us to do and that is to first 'tend the garden' (2:15) and to 'help' (vs 20). but instead we put ourselves first and seek to fill the God-shaped hole within us by seeking partners to fulfill our desires and wants. yupz. if you had gone for the workshop that JD and MingHui conducted at tacklecamp last year, i suggest that you refer to it. alternatively, go here: http://sheepinwolfclothing.blogspot.com/2005/08/ikan-bilis-group-leaders-material-bgr.html
the following lesson would be about the values we should have as we enjoy singlehood. for a rough idea to the group preparing next go here: http://sheepinwolfclothing.blogspot.com/2005/08/ikan-bilis-group-leaders-material-bgr_26.html
we should have a debate in place of lesson one of these days, would be interesting... =)
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Lesson 8: Friendship
1. What are the different levels of Friendship
- Acquaintance : a person whom one knows but who is not a particularly close friend
- Pen Pal: a friend made and kept through correspondence
- Comrade: an intimate friend or associate : companion b: a fellow soldier
- Blood brother: one of two men pledged to mutual loyalty by a ceremonial use of each other's blood
2. What is Friendship? - A relationship between people.
- Friendship is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more beings.
Value that is found in friendships is often the result of a friend demonstrating the following on a consistent basis:
a. the tendency to desire what is best for the other,
b. sympathy and empathy,
c. honesty, perhaps in situations where it may be difficult for others to speak the truth, especially in terms of pointing out the perceived faults of one's counterpart
d. mutual understanding.
3. What is considered a good friendship?
Christian Friend
- All the characteristics of a Good Friend
- Prays for you
- Loves you no matter what
- Puts God as priority
Good Friend
- Trustworthy
- Reliable
- Good Companion
- Good Listener
- One who understands you
- Cares for you
- Willing to sacrifice for you
- Honest with you
- Believes in you
- Goes through both good and bad times with you
Bad Friend
- Dishonest
- Rude
- Unreliable
- Does not put your interest at heart
- Selfish
- Bullies you
- Bad company
4. What kind of friends should we have?
- As Christians, it doesn’t mean that we should only have fellow Christian friends
- We should have a good mixture of both Christian and non-Christian friends
- Thus, it is our duty to Share the Gospel with those who do not know Jesus
Recall: The Great Commission
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” Matthew 28:19-2
- Remind them of why the last few lessons have placed a huge focus on Sharing the Gospel as it is our duty and command to tell others about Jesus.
- He also told us to love our neighbours as ourselves.
Love for Enemies
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Luke 6:27-28
34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:34-35
5. What is the difference between non-Christian friends and Christian friends?
- Non-Christian friends do not believe in God and may not put God first in their lives
- They do not have a close relationship with God
6. Why must we have Christian friends? - All of us are different. We’ve all been given our own particular personality, our own particular talents, and our own particular spiritual gifts.
- Since we have different gifting, we should use these to strengthen and build one another up. Thus we can minister and help one another.
1 Corinthians 12:21 (New International Version)
21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"
1 Corinthians 12:26 (New International Version)
26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
- Thus, the church is like a human body where we need one another in order for us to survive.
- Are Christian friends always good? No.
- We are all human beings and we fail in many ways too.
- Therefore, we need to spur one another on in the right direction.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (New International Version)
24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
- We need to assemble together with Christians that we might provoke one another to love and to do good, that we might exalt, encourage or strengthen one another, which we might go on with the business God has given us as Christians in this world.
7. Our Special Relationship with Jesus - Jesus is like our Best Friend and no one else can take His place
- Whenever we call on His name, He will be there for us and hear our prayers. Unlike our friends around us, they fail to be there for us at times when we need them the most.
Deuteronomy 31:7-9 (New International Version)
7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
The Reading of the Law
9 So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.
Psalm 30:1-3 (New International Version)
A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David. [a]
1 I will exalt you, O LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.
3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave [b] ; you spared me from going down into the pit.
Thus, we must be really careful in making right friends. Even if we have made bad friends, we are assured that our friendship with God never fails.
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