Preschool
Be kindly afectioned one to another (Romans 12:10).
Right Living
Memory Verses
Primary
Be kindly afectioned one to another with brotherly love (Romans 12:10)
Junior
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another (Romans 12:10).
Background Scripture: 1 Peter 2-3
Lesson Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-18
Introduction
Compassion, love, and unity are vital to Christian living. These virtues come from God, and we live in them when we are conformed to the image of His Son. Godly parents with these virtues will be good examples to their families and a living witness to their neighbors. Christians are a living sermon, a godly influence in an ungodly world. Should we suffer for well-doing, we can gladly endure, knowing that Jesus suffered at the hands of ungodly men. Studying this lesson should help renew our vision of right living and increase our courage to maintain it.
Key Verse
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:35).
Lesson Scripture
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’s sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.
Studying the Lesson
Peter’s letter reflects the same apostle Peter we read about in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles: plainspoken and to the point. He was writing to fellow Christians who were being persecuted.
Peter’s appeal to unity and compassion was addressed to born-again believers. From this, we infer that disunity, lack of concern, criticalness, and retaliation are problems that can arise among Christians. However, the gospel is a way of peace; its author is the Prince of Peace. The exhortations found in the first few verses of the lesson scripture flow out of this fundamental gospel principle of peace. This admonition was appropriate to brethren under persecution. Satan uses stress of any kind to cause the faithful to lose charity for one another.
In today’s English, to be pitiful and courteous to one another means to be sympathetic and respectful.
The only written Holy Scriptures in Peter’s day were the books that we now call the Old Testament. Peter quoted from them; verses 10-12 in our scripture reading are taken from Psalm 34:12-16. This passage reassured the persecuted believers, reminding them that the eyes of the Lord were watching over them and that their prayers were heard.
A commonly accepted rule in life is that when we do good, life will go well for us. However, God has not promised that Christians will never experience hardships or persecution for their faith; rather, they “that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). Jesus, our example, suffered verbal abuse, physical torture, and rejection even though He was perfect and sinless. Those to whom Peter wrote were being questioned about their beliefs, and he encouraged them to willingly explain their hope as a believer in a gentle and respectful way. When Christians live free from sin, it often puts their oppressors to shame for slandering them.
Practical Truths for Today
Do believers automatically experience love and goodwill among themselves all the time? The biblical exhortation to live in unity and be of one mind implies this is not the case. Because we were born with selfish, independent natures and because Satan seeks to disrupt any good gift from God, we will be tempted. Our natural tendency is to arrange everything to suit ourselves and place the desires of others in second place. We are inclined to selfishly interpret things that are done and said in a way that puts us in the best light.
The key to living in love and unity with our brethren is to look at Christ instead of focusing on our brethren. As we abide in Christ, who is the author, source, and example of unity, we will all “beat time” according to His tempo, and unity will result. Think of a congregation singing together. If each one is mindful of the song leader, watching him beat time and singing in synchrony with him, each member of the congregation will be singing in time with each other. If some have their heads down or their eyes shut, not watching and taking cues from the song leader, they may be out of sync with their brothers and sisters around them.
The matters that we care about most will occupy our concern and attention the most. To nurture our relationships with one another is a matter that deserves our thoughtful efforts. It is God’s plan that His people be a close-knit family of believers. As such, there will be things that test us, threatening to disturb our unity. Peter’s instructions apply to these situations. As we humble ourselves and seek God’s will, He will lead us to the way of submission—the way of blessings in Christian fellowship. Our human tendency to render evil for evil, to defend ourselves, or to be argumentative will be subdued by the Holy Spirit. By His power, we will have compassion, sympathy, and respect.
There is a right and wrong way to live. God gave us His Word, both in written form and in the life of Christ, to teach us these things. Right living begins when we are born again through the grace of God. As we follow the Holy Ghost, He sanctifies us to live a righteous life. God is righteous, pure, loving, and full of goodness and mercy. He brings us joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and temperance (self-control). Right living is the way of life for those who cultivate the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
The Ten Commandments were given as God’s standard of righteousness. When we live in the grace of God, following His Spirit, we will live the Ten Commandments. The new covenant that Jesus brought will put us in harmony with the foundational truths of the old.
Parents have a weighty but rewarding responsibility to teach, exemplify, and instill right living in their children. It is primarily the parents’ duty to teach their children the difference between right and wrong. Foremost to this endeavor is the way of example. Children who observe the fruit of godliness in their parents have a tremendous advantage in living the Christian life themselves. There is no substitute for unselfish, affirmative, compassionate, and understanding parents who are firm, conscientious, and rooted in truth. In addition to parents’ example, children need their parents’ personal encouragements to do right.
An adolescent young man, taller than his father, tapped his dad on the shoulder and smiled as he walked by. That gesture spoke volumes about the love he had for his Christian father and the confidence he had in him. A relationship had been built through his years of growing up. This young man has a good foundation for conviction in his personal Christian life.
Read Bible stories to your children, not just a few selected stories, but from the whole Bible. Hurlbut’s Story of the Bible has a complete record of the Bible narrative for children. Read them stories, written by missionaries, which tell about God’s outreach. Early missionaries to Mexico and Nigeria wrote books about their spiritual adventures which children can enjoy. The Christian Mission Voice, Gospel Tract Newsletter, and the church’s annual activities report booklet can be used for the same purpose. In the family setting, these resources can be translated into age-appropriate language that children can understand. They will learn how God works in people’s hearts and how He uses His church to spread the gospel. Plant seeds of right living.
We have a responsibility to render a standard of proper conduct to the world around us. Many have little spiritual inclinations and knowledge of the truth. A Christian’s conduct often shapes an unbeliever’s idea of God. Someone who is willing to suffer for the cause of Christ makes a keen impression. A humble acceptance of undesirable circumstances speaks of God’s presence. Reflecting the image of Christ through kindness and understanding, avoiding worthless and time-wasting entertainment, and devoting our lives to the good of others have a positive influence in the world.
Questions
- In the matter of right living, should we focus more on tangible things or attitudes?
- When children fail to have the example and encouragement of responsible parents, what are ways for other people to help them?
- What are ways for Christians to render blessings to each other, as indicated in verse 9 of the lesson scripture?
- How does focusing on Christ help us live in unity with our brethren?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).