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Lesson Highlight: "neighbor"
In "Biblical Perspective" Dr. Gordon Snider writes,
It should be remembered that the point of the story was to define the term “neighbor.” The priest and Levite were presented as being the most likely to treat the wounded man as a neighbor, but they did not. Then came an unlikely candidate, a certain Samaritan. As he journeyed suggests that his journey was more extensive than just a commute from Jerusalem to Jericho. As a result he was likely more equipped to help, but also under greater time constraints. He also saw him, the same verb used of the priest and Levite. But instead of responding with apathy, the Samaritan had compassion on him. He was deeply moved in his inner being by the plight of the wounded traveler. The same verb was used often by Matthew and Mark to describe Jesus’ response to situations of need. (See Matt. 9:36 and Mark 1:41 for examples.)
Discussion: What would you say it means to be a neighbor?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, pages 35-36.
Lesson Highlight: "Christlike"
In "Doctrinal Discussion" Dr. Gayle Woods discusses what it means to be Christlike, in part saying:
Romans 12:1, 2 speaks of the necessity of a continual condition of surrender to God. In this surrender we volunteer our lives as “living [sacrifices].” We relinquish all selfish ambitions to God, desiring to have our minds renewed and transformed so that we think like Christ. Thinking like Christ brings us to the next aspect of being like Christ. This human responsibility also includes a continual freedom from sin. The Sinless One expects His servants to be “dead indeed unto sin,” according to Romans 6:11. When we offer ourselves upon the altar of personal sacrifice for the glory of God, we no longer bow the knee to sin. Sin ceases to be our master. We follow in the footsteps of our Lord, refusing to look back toward the enticements of rebellion and disobedience. We follow our Lord in obedience, sacrificial love, and patient suffering (John 15:10, 12, 13; 1 Peter 2:19-23).
Discussion: What one thing (habit, attitude, action, etc.) do you need to change in order to be more Christlike?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 38.
Lesson Highlight: "leaving him half dead"
In "Biblical Perspective" Dr. Gordon Snider writes:
Shepard notes that the dangerousness of this road was legendary. The man could not possibly have not known his danger! Thieves . . . stripped . . . and wounded him. The violent nature of these men is clear from their actions. They were not petty thieves, but hardened criminals without mercy. Leaving him half dead. Luke wanted the reader to understand the desperate plight of this traveler. Unless someone gave aid soon, death was certain.
It is possible to read this story without truly visualizing how hurt this man was. Art, such as this picture, might shock some for its somewhat graphic nature.
Discussion: Do we truly understand the "desperate plight" of this man? Do we truly care for the plight of others around us who are in need?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 35.
Compassion for the Lost
Read Jeremiah 9:1-8
“Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!” (v. 1).
Kansas City is sometimes called the “City of Fountains.” Only Rome has more public fountains than Kansas City. Take a trip with me to the wooden bench next to one of those fountains. We have arrived just after sunrise. The water is already running. As the city wakes up, a continual stream of water shoots out of a stone figure and splashes into the pool below. By lunchtime, the restaurant on the corner is crammed with patrons, yet the stream of water has not lessened nor the pool overflowed. We do not leave our bench until well after sunset, yet still we have not witnessed the end of the fountain’s supply or a change in the pool’s water level.
Of course, we understand the reasons for this, but have you ever felt your sorrow or compassion worked much the same way? Every tear you wept fell uselessly into a pool that neither eased your suffering nor helped the one who had caused it. Yet that realization does not stop the flow of tears.
Jeremiah’s ministry often revolved around tears. They were not magical tears — no healing or saving power was in them. Yet those tears, when mixed with a prayerful and obedient ministry to the very ones who caused his weeping, were exactly what God required. (Michelle Avery)
Have you ever wept over a soul?
This devotional is the Monday, October 5, 2015 entry of Opening the Word.
Showing Compassion to Everyone
Lesson 6 - October 11
Focus Text: Luke 10:29-37
Central Truth: The Christian family shares Christ's love liberally with those in need.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list several practical ways they will share God's love with others.
Lesson Outline:
- The Self-Righteous Question (Luke 10:29)
- The Self-Concerned Responses (Luke 10:30-32)
- The Self-Giving Example (Luke 10:33-35)
- The Self-Denying Command (Luke 10:36-37)
Lesson Highlight: self-discipline
In "Doctrinal Discussion" Dr. Gayle Woods writes...
A self-disciplined person’s actions are rational responses rather than an emotional or impulsive response. He will even at times put aside the possibility of pleasure and comfort in order to do what is most important at the moment.
Our instant gratification, fast-food, fast-paced society wants a quick fix for every problem. The wise understand, however, that to succeed spiritually, you must be more deliberate and take the route of self-discipline.
Discussion: What attitudes must we adopt to take "the route of self-discipline"?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 32.