EXTRA! Ideas for Adults – How to Love Your Neighbor – Session 4

Date: August 14, 2022

Honor Your Neighbor

The Point: Love is seen in how we honor others.

Get Into the Study

Use the following information to introduce Question 1.

Observing flights is a long-held method of maintaining skills as a pilot, but is also a key tool for training new pilots. A researcher investigated whether or not there were tangible benefits when student pilots observed experienced pilots in-flight. The results are instructive, and have given flight schools insight into how to make their training more effective:

A strong relationship existed between how involved a student was during the observation flights and how beneficial those flights were to the student. …Students that were not involved thought the flight observations made ‘no difference’ and those who were really involved felt that the observations were ‘beneficial.’ The students’ most popular recommendation concerning observation flights was to find ways to actively involve student pilots in the flight itself.

Say: “For student pilots, the best way to learn is not just to be in the same vicinity as another pilot, but to actually involve themselves in the flight, and carefully watch.” Then read Question 1 (When have you learned something by watching someone else?)

Information for this post was gleaned from:

Study the Bible

Use the following information to introduce Question 3.

Missionaries are usually highly motivated and well-trained followers of Jesus focused on the most important task in the world—sharing the good news of salvation in Christ. It sounds like it should be heaven on earth. But that’s not always the case. The ugliness of team conflict can enter the scene, leaving a trail of broken relationships, bitter feelings, and tarnished testimonies. While the Bible gives clear guidance on handling strife with maturity and grace, sometimes conflict turns destructive. It’s not illness, terrorism, or the lack of funding that is the #1 cause for leaving the mission field. It’s conflict with other missionaries.

The writer– a former IMB missionary himself– points readers to the humility found in being a slave to Christ as the solution to the unfortunately-common problem of team conflict: “genuine humility can only exist in the believer who self-identifies as Christ’s slave, while seeing his fellow teammates as saints.”

Say: “It’s not just missionaries who have trouble with humility; Christian churches have the same potential downfall. One South Carolina pastor noted that for the Christian, ‘his local church is the most significant earthly organizational relationship he will ever maintain….It is his family in this world and it will be his family in the world to come.’ Like the missionaries, then, pursuing humility may be a key for us within the local church.” Then read Question 3 (“How does humility promote harmony within the church?”)

Information for this post was gleaned from:

Jessica Connell wrote these Leader Extras. Jess is a homeschooling mom of 9 who has served around the world in ministry with her husband. She loves hiking, exploring, and being active in her local church in North Texas.

Study the Bible [from Adult Leader Guide, p. 141 and KJV Adult Leader Guide, p. xx]

In advance, bring a trophy, plaque, certificate, or other award someone in your family has been honored with. Briefly explain the circumstances behind the award. Then say: “Now, we’re going to prepare an award for someone else in our lives.” Obtain some certificates of appreciation group members can fill out. Encourage them to give the award or note of honor to someone outside their normal comfort zone (perhaps a cantankerous neighbor with whom they can find something to praise).

Here’s a sample certificate:
Certificate_Appreciation

Study the Bible [from Advanced Bible Study Teacher Guide, p. 52]

After teaching about how to show honor to others by seeking their best with the passage in Romans 12:9-13, display an American flag.

Lead the group to say the Pledge of Allegiance or play a recording of our National Anthem and invite students to sing along. For one example of the National Anthem, click here. Then continue with the directions on page 54.

Additional Questions

Icebreakers

What made your favorite teacher your favorite teacher?
When have you felt especially honored?
How have you seen someone honored recently?

Romans 12:9-13

As far as honoring others, based on these verses, what are the key ingredients?
What did Paul mean when he said to let love be without hypocrisy?
What makes the difference between phony and genuine expressions of love?

Romans 12:14-16

What are our options when we have been treated unfairly?
When have you seen the teachings in these verses lived out in real life?
How does pride get in the way of love?

Romans 12:17-21

What is difficult about putting love in action in today’s culture?
What is the practical application of Paul’s instruction in Romans 12:19?
What opportunities exist for us this week to honor others in small and big ways?

For Those in Your Group

Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought: