Introduction: Are you harsh to those you love? My wife, a retired
church school teacher, used to tell me that parents would report how
well-behaved and kind their child was at school, but was something
quite different at home. Are members of your family more polite, kind
and longsuffering towards strangers than those they love? Why is
that? Is that the way things should be? Let’s dive into our study of
the Bible and see what it teaches about kindness to others!
- The Dam
- Read Proverbs 17:14. Have you seen a video of a dam
breaking? If so, how does it start? (It starts out with a
small leak.) - What happens at the end of the dam break? (Complete
destruction.) - Can you control a dam break? (This is the point of
this proverb, stop your dispute before it gets out of
control.) - Consider those in your family. Do you know what starts
trouble with specific family members? If so, can you avoid
those discussions? - Is there a reason not to avoid those discussions?
- The Pagan Life
- Read Ephesians 4:17. Should Christians live differently
than the world? (Yes.) - Why does this text say we should be different? (Our
thinking is better. Pagans have “futile” thinking.) - What does it mean to have “futile” thinking?
(Let’s continue reading.) - Read Ephesians 4:18-19. Now tell me how you understand
“futile thinking?” (They don’t understand God’s will. They
are ignorant and this makes their hearts hard. Instead of
being sensitive, they are sensual. They are impure and
greedy.) - How would futile thinking cause conflicts with co-workers and family members?
- The Christian Life
- Read Ephesians 4:20-21. Why does this refer to us
“learn[ing]” a new way of life? (I teach Bible-based
emotional intelligence in my classes. Emotional
intelligence is something that can be learned, unlike
native intelligence. This improvement in your life as a
Christian is a matter of learning. It is available to
everyone.) - What role does the Holy Spirit play in this learning?
(Read John 14:26. The Holy Spirit not only teaches us
how we should live, but He reminds us about what we
have learned.) - Read Ephesians 4:22-24. What is central to this new way of
thinking? (You have a new attitude.) - Look again at Ephesians 4:22. What part of our old
self is working against us? (“Deceitful desires.” We
will desire to do the things that we should not.
These desires are deceitful in that we think they
will give us joy, but they will not.) - Read Ephesians 4:25. How does dishonesty create problems
for us? (If we are dishonest, we give bad information.
This text tells us that we are “members of one body.” Our
family cannot help us if we give them bad information. Our
family might be harmed by bad information.) - Read Ephesians 4:26. How long are you normally angry? Do
you hold a grudge against family members for days? - Why does this give us a limited time for anger?
- What does it mean to be angry, but “not sin?”
(Apparently being annoyed is fine. We just cannot let
it get out of control.) - Read Ephesians 4:27. Why does the Bible refer to giving
“the devil a foothold” right after it warns us about
anger? (Anger makes us do things that we later regret.
This is a reason why we need to learn to control our
anger.) - Read Ephesians 4:28. Just recently I was talking to
someone who mentioned that some people need to steal to be
able to eat. What does the Bible say about this? (We need
to work and not steal.) - Why is work a blessing? (It gives us something useful
to do with our hands. We should not underestimate the
value of work.) - What else does work allow us to do? (To share with
others who are in need.) - Let’s review the characteristics that the Bible says we
should learn: a positive attitude, honesty, anger under
control, and industry. How would these attitudes improve
the life of your family? How would they improve the lives
of your children? - Do you model these characteristics to your children?
- Just recently I was speaking to my son and telling
him what a blessing it is to be intelligent. I
suggested to him that diligence might also be
something that you inherit. He thought diligence was
passed down by children observing industrious
parents. What do you think? (The Bible teaches us
that, at least in part, it is learned behavior.) - Read Ephesians 4:29. The NIV translates the word as
“unwholesome” and the KJV translates it as “corrupt.” What
does the rest of the verse suggest is the best meaning?
(Our talk should “build up” others “according to their
needs.” Our speech should “benefit” or “edify” those who
hear it. Thus, “corrupt” seems to be the best fit for the
rest of the verse.) - How would you apply this to speaking to your
children? - Children, how would you apply this in speaking to
your parents? (Historically, I’ve thought this verse
had to do with sexually impure talk. But, I think it
refers to speech intended to lift up those around us.
Do not demoralize those you love.) - Read Ephesians 4:30. How can we “grieve” the Holy Spirit?
(Doing the wrong thing no doubt makes the Holy Spirit feel
bad. However, I think this is talking about not listening
to the Holy Spirit. Ignoring the Holy Spirit. The Holy
Spirit is central to us learning the lessons we have been
discussing.) - Read Ephesians 4:31-32. How does this frame the issues for
our family life? For our work life? - When the text says “get rid of,” does this suggest
that we have a part to play in this change? - Look at all of the characteristics listed, both good
and bad. How would you describe them? (They are
generally attitudes.) - Can you change your attitude? (If it was not
obvious before, it should be now. The Holy
Spirit plays a critical role in this change. We
need to ask the Holy Spirit to intervene to
change our attitudes.) - Thinking Slow
- Read James 1:19. These sound more like actions, or rather,
reactions. Can you slow yourself down and consciously
react in this way? - Read Proverbs 19:11. How do you react to insults?
- Do you think that you are protecting your “honor” by
reacting to every insult? - Should you begin the habit of not immediately
responding to insults? - Read Philippians 2:3-7. Will doing this be difficult for
you? - How will it change those around you?
- Read Philippians 2:9-11. Are you permanently consigned to
being a servant? (Jesus shows us that this attitude is
rewarded with honor and authority.) - Friend, if you desire improved relationships in your
family and at work, why not put these Biblical principles
to the test? Why not, through the power of the Holy
Spirit, learn to make them a part of your life? - Next week: Families of Faith.
