Relationships

Sabbath School Class

January 22, 2011

Presented by

Larry R Evans

Introduction

It has been said that “Most adults never grow up.” Do you agree? This week we will be delving into the idea of relationships and what is really behind positive relationships. I have found the following statement by John Powell in Why Am I Afraid to Love? to be insightful for our study about enduring and expanding relationships:

“A person can grow only as much as his horizon allows, and the person who decides to love in order to be fulfilled and happy will be disappointed and will not grow because the horizon is still himself. Consequently, we cannot conceive of love in any way as a means of self-fulfillment, because if we do we will still be within the treacherous vicious circle, traveling always from our own needs through others and back into ourselves. We can never use others as a means. They must always be the end-object of love.” (p.107)

When it comes to relationships, what kind of horizon do you have? It has been suggested that once we ask the question, “What have you done for me” we have ceased to love and our relationship is immediately limited. Do you agree? As you study this lesson, reflect on who is really the focus of each relationship you have.

Reflective Questions

1. Regardless of temperaments, all people have a common bond that can overcome differences. (Eph. 4:1-3; 1 Sam 25) True or False?

2. Some people cannot be changed by using kindness, therefore, force becomes necessary. (1 Sam 25; Matt.26:47-54) True or False?

3. Those who show kindness and long suffering characterize those who are truly their “brother’s keeper.” (think biblically; Gn 4:1-16) True or False?

4. “Eye for an eye” is a biblical principle. (Matt. 5:38,39; 1 Pet 3:8-12) True or False?

5. One way of getting even is by “heaping burning coals” upon the heads of those who have treated us unkindly. (Rom 12:20-21; Prov. 25:21-22) True or False?

6. God’s blessing begins soon after we forgive others for their wrong doing. (Ezek 36:26; Matt. 5:23-25; 18: 21-35; Eph. 4:32)

7. We should confess our sins to each other. (James 5:16; Matt 6:12; Mk 2:1-5) True or False?

8. Confession and forgiveness are prerequisites for healing. (1Pet 5:7; Matt. 18:21-35) True or False?

9. Building others up is a form of vanity and for the ske of Christian humility should be done sparingly. (Eph. 4:29; 1Thess 5:11; Rom. 4:19) True or False?

10.Do unto others as others would do to you if they had a chance. (Matt. 7:12) True or False?

11.Showing kindness to others includes getting all the facts and how they make you feel out into the open. (Eph. 4:25-5:2) True or False?

12.We are each of us the product of those who have loved us or who have refused to love us. (Jn 3:16; Jn 4:1-42)

Conclusion

(Answers and conclusion will be provided on Friday)

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