SEARCH Lesson 123 – Getting Along with Others

Key Verse

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
— Galatians 5:14

Who Is My Neighbour?

Luke 10:25-37

Jesus Christ left us many beautiful examples of ministering to the needs of one’s neighbors, even to the extent of going a great distance or spending much time in order to do it. In this parable Jesus shows us that our neighbors are those with whom we come into contact, regardless of nationality or social status.

QUESTIONS

  1. The lawyer who came to Jesus asked, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” This was a good question, but there are indications he was not sincere. What were these indications?
  2. In John 4:4-29 and 21:8-9, 12-13, we see two examples of Jesus showing brotherly love or concern for those about Him. Describe the ways Jesus ministered in these two instances.
  3. Read Luke 11:5-8. What excuse was given for not meeting the friend’s need? Do you think that this was a valid or acceptable excuse? Why or why not?
  4. Some of the duties of a priest were to make sacrifices, burn incense, and teach the people God’s Law. The Levites were appointed to assist the priests and, no doubt, had heard the message of the priest. In what way did they fail in their obligations?
  5. The Samaritans were absolutely despised by the Jews, and they had no dealings with each other. In spite of this, when the Good Samaritan saw the man’s suffering, what did he do?
  6. In John 5, we read of a man who suffered from a serious physical affliction. In verse 7, he tells Jesus why he had not been healed. What reason did he give? How might this relate to our duty to those who are physically disabled or afflicted?
  7. If you love your neighbor as yourself, what are some of the things you will be doing as outlined in the following Scriptures?
    Matthew 5:16
    John 13:35
    Romans 15:2
    Ephesians 4:32
    1 John 3:17
  8. Consider the admonition in our key verse that instructs us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Then note some of the ways we care for our physical, mental, and spiritual selves and our material requirements. Which of the ways noted should be extended to others?

THEME THOUGHTS

Underlying all the basic teachings of Christ, are significant principles essential to the Christian in establishing successful relationships with those around him. When one of these principles is violated or ignored, there is a breakdown in the relationship. On the one hand, the Scriptures attach significant benefits and rewards to the one who accepts the guidelines given by God and makes them the foundation of his dealings with others. In this quarter, we focus on these guidelines, establishing through Scripture the Christian’s responsibilities to those with whom he comes into contact. We begin the series of lessons by examining the Christian’s relationship with Jesus Christ, pointing out that if one is wholly following the Lord, he will be enlightened as to how his relationships with others can be in conformity with Christ’s teachings. Subsequent lessons consider the relationships between the Christian and the ministry, between brothers and sisters in Christ, between the Christian and the spiritually weak, his neighbor, etc. the Christmas lesson concerns the relationship of God to man—how God’s love was shown when He sent Jesus to earth. One lesson deals with the Christian versus Satan, showing that with God’s help the Christian can build a defense against the devil and resist his attempts to overthrow him. It is essential to measure our lives by Scripture, for “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,17). When our relationships with others are established entirely on the precepts of God’s Word, our lives will be valuable instruments in God’s plan to reveal to the world the power of His love to mankind.
  • Deuteronomy 15:7
  • Isaiah 58:10
  • Matthew 25:34-46

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