EXTRA! Ideas for Adults – Greatest Truths – Greatest Command

Date: October 5, 2025

The Greatest Command 

The Point: Our obedience to God is seen in our love for Him and others.

Get Into the Study

After reading Question #1, read the following:

According to author June Silny, from the website LifeHack, asks, “How often do you stop to realize that each hour of your day is packed with life-changing wisdom?” Advice is easy to dish out, but harder to put into practice. She goes on to say that, “There are the big events that punch you in the gut. The lessons from those are hard to ignore, but there are also many mundane things that happen in a day that also have a lot to teach you, if you become aware of them.”

We are all given the same 24 hours—and we can make them a positive or a negative, depending on how we approach our day. Silny narrows it down to 20 pieces of advice to have a smooth life, learning from both the big events and the smallest of occurrences in your day. As we think about advice, here are some initial thoughts to get us started:

• You have the opportunity to make a difference in the world and in yourself. Make the day meaningful.
• Smaller problems are much easier to manage than larger problems.
• Be considerate of others.
• The power of habit can transform your life.
• Judge others favorably. You never know what battle they are fighting.
• Your moods are contagious. Share positive energy.
• An organized life is a calmer life.
• Respect other people’s opinions even when they differ from your own.
• Touch someone’s soul with your kindness.

When people ask you for advice, what’s the one thing you like to tell them?

20 Pieces of Life-Changing Advice You Can Actually Learn From Your Daily Life

Get Into the Study (Option for Adult Leader Guide)

In advance, play a video clip showing someone giving advice. Then ask Question #1.

Study the Bible

Mark 12:31

Read Question #2, then read the following:

Danny Huerta, the Vice President of Parenting and Youth at Focus on the Family, says that real love is something we can show others by being a ‘contributor’. Although Huerta is speaking regarding teaching children about loving others, his advice is good for all ages:

“Philippians 2:4 says, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others. ”That is unnatural and difficult, yet deeply loving and trustworthy,” Huerta says. “… Being contributors within relationships will take grace and patience. It will show them how to love others through their intentions, thoughts, words, and actions for the rest of their lives. Philippians 2:5 goes on to say, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” The key in this verse is that we can direct our minds toward this end by having it influenced through a vibrant relationship with Christ.”

Some practical advice that he shares is to be contributors, not consumers. A contributor is someone who often does things for others without expecting something in return, is genuinely empathetic toward others, develops genuine humility, sees others as important, learns to listen to others attentively, etc.

Whereas a consumer is someone who acts respectfully or does things for others to get something in return, is less empathetic, looks for strategic ways to gain affirmation and admiration from others, recognizes ways to use other people’s emotions and thoughts for their own benefit, etc.

A few ways to be a contributor are as follows;

• Be humble
• Develop empathy.
• See work as a way to love others
• Be patient
• Be courageous

What are some other ways that we can love others as we love ourselves?

How To Show Real Love To Others by Being a Contributor – Focus on the Family

Study the Bible (Option for Adult Leader Guide)

In advance, choose a song about biblical love and play it for the group. Afterwards, ask the group what aspects of Christian love stood out to them. Invite them to share the song with others this week.

The week’s writer for Extra is Erika Morrison. Erika is the daughter of missionary parents. She lives in Southwest Michigan, where she serves as the executive director of a human services non-profit, and speaks regularly on poverty culture, and having a relationship with Jesus.

Additional Questions

Icebreaker

• What’s the one thing you’re really glad you did last year?
• What was the one “do-not-break” rule in your house when you were growing up?
• When people ask you for advice, what’s the one thing you like to tell them?

Mark 12:28-30 We are to love God with all our being.

• Why is the command to love God wholeheartedly the greatest commandment?
• What does it mean to love God with all our being?
• How would you describe or summarize our culture’s approach to love? How does our culture define love?

Mark 12:31 Loving others is as important as loving ourselves.

• Can we love others wholeheartedly without first loving God wholeheartedly?
• How is the self-love promoted in our world today different from what Jesus means by loving ourselves?
• How does our love for God help us love our neighbor?

Mark 12:32-34 Loving God is the greatest thing we can do.

• How can believers express love for God in daily life?
• What do our life choices and commitments say about our love for God?
• What “burnt offerings and sacrifices” do people offer today instead of loving others?

Podcast

Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.