Relationships

Anchor Verse:

Mar 12:29-31 NASB Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; (30) AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.' (31) "The second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

• What has happened in Mark preceding this question? What does this tell you about Jesus' relationship with the Pharisees?

• Does Jesus indicate an order of these two commandments?

• Why did Jesus start with “Hear O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord.”

• What does it mean to you that Moses said and Jesus repeated “The Lord our God is one Lord” (Deu 6:4).

  • He began with the opening words of the Shema (from Heb., “Hear!” [svema‘],the first word of Deu_6:4). This creed (Num_15:37-41; Deu_6:4-9; Deu_11:13-21) was recited twice daily — morning and evening — by devout Jews. (Bible Knowledge Commentary)

• Also read Deu 30:6. What does this mean to you?

• What is the action word?

  • agapáo¯: To esteem, love, indicating a direction of the will and finding one's joy in something or someone. It differs from philéo¯ (G5368), to love, indicating feelings, warm affection, the kind of love expressed by a kiss (phíle¯ma [G5370]).

  • 1 John 3:18

  • John 13:34-35

  • Heart, soul, mind and strength. What different aspects of love are meant here? What does it mean to love with all your heart, your soul, your mind and your strength. Why do you think that Jesus repeated Moses statement word-for-word? Why do you think that Moses and Jesus reiterated the word all.

• Neighbor: ple¯síon: near, close. Generally means any other member of the human family

• Leviticus 19:18

  • In what way does a person love themselves? In what way to you love yourself?

Relationship Lesson Plan

We will follow scripture to better understand:

What God teaches us about relationships in general:

• What a Godly relationship looks like

  • Love

  • Turn the other cheek

  • Pray for those who persecute you

  • Walk another mile

  • Forgiveness

  • Accept Responsibility (Adam and Eve, Moses and Aaron)

  • Not judging, criticizing others

What God teaches us about relationships with:

• God (Moses, David, Abraham, Habakkuk Gideon)

• Marriage (Solomon, Abraham and Sarah, Esther, Rachael and Jacob)

• Family (Adam and Eve, Joseph, David and Solomon, Abraham and Lot, Honor Father and Mother)

• Friends (David and Jonathan)

• Church (David and Saul, Jesus and Church) (Heb 10:24-25, Romans 14)

• Community (Jesus and Nazareth – Mat 13:54)

• Leaders (Moses and the Israelites, David and Saul) (Hebrews 13:7, Romans 13)

• Work

• Unbelievers (Jesus and Gentiles – Samaritans, Mat 15:27, Isa 65:1-2)

• Government (David and Saul, Romans 13, Matt 22:21)

What God teaches about relationships to avoid:

• Solomon (wives influence)

• Israelites (Exodus 34)

• Relationships with unbelievers (2Cor 6:14)