(from Good Word Online):?

Memory Text: Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Why include “relationships” in a series of studies about emotions?

• Are relationships an emotion or the source of emotions?
• Clearly, people can incite negative emotions or prompt positive emotions.

David, Nabal and Abigail

• Was David’s request fair or an ancient example of extortion–“protection money?”
• David admits his intent to take revenge was wrong and praises Abigail for preventing him taking things into his own hands.
• Lessons for those who are wronged?
• Is it OK to seek legal recourse when you are being or have been oppressed?

Peter’s admonition to return blessing for evil.

• Does God really hear the prayers of good people and ignore the prayers of the bad?
• What do you learn about David and about God from David’s kindness toward King Saul?
• What are the lessons here? (eg ~ A soft answer turns away anger, Respect generates respect)
• Let God take care of people changes.
• Does this mean human intervention, by law enforcement or political action or social action is inappropriate?
• cf Jacob benefitting at Laban’s expense.

Forgiveness

• Must we forgive those who repent and ask for forgiveness? eg an abusing adult, an assailant who leaves lasting physical or emotional damage?
• Do we forgive only those who repent and ask for forgiveness? eg Jesus forgave those who killed him and we don’t read that they apologized.
• Forgiveness depends on us not the perpetrator.
• In what ways do those who forgive benefit? (Benefits to the one forgiven are more obviously true).
• A question from the lesson quarterly: What should be recommended when forgiveness does not cause any change in abusive behaviour?

Confess to one another. (James 5:16)

• What does James mean here?
• What hesitancies do you have about confession to others?
• Are there not appropriate boundaries, things that ought not to be shared?
• What of the Arab proverb, “Confession is good for the soul, but bad for the reputation?”

Build up one another.

• What prompts us to criticize and put others down?
• How might we address the cause of this behavior rather than just control or stifle the demeaning comments?