Dear Friends,
Honor is the simple idea of giving value. The simple life of honor is a central theme in the Bible and a clear expectation of God.
Despite the important place that honor is to occupy in God’s people it is almost never discussed. The culture of American Christians is identical to the culture of the Godless when it comes to honor. This should not be so.
We live in a culture where sarcastic humor, put-downs, name-calling, and degrading t-shirts are considered art forms.
Online comebacks, takedowns, and allegations meant to humiliate fill the daily conversation of people across political lines both left and right. The idea of treating others as beings of value even if you disagree or see a flaw in them has been lost. We have entered a new era of fundamentalism that has no grace of God.
To honor with your life is to add or express value. This Sunday we will learn how to restore the place of honor to our families and community.
1 Peter 2:17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
Remember: HONOR IS A BEHAVIOUR NOT A FEELING.
Blessings,
Joe
STEPS TO PREPARE
PRAY FOR THE SERVICES AND FOR YOURSELF
AND ME AND THE OTHER TEACHERS.
PRAYERFULLY READ THE SCRIPTURES
AND CONSIDER THE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.
MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND A PREACHING SERVICE AND A SMALL GROUP.
INVITE SOMEONE TO COME WITH YOU.
PREPARING FOR SUNDAY: SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Please try to come in person to practice honor, but if you can’t you
can watch it online @ https://www.facebook.com/toledofirstbaptist
BE SURE TO SET YOUR CLOCK AHEAD BEFORE YOU GO TO BED. WE START DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ON THE 10TH.
Please read the following scriptures and consider the questions. Make time to attend a small group during the 9:30 Am time slot.
How would you define the word honor?
What does it mean to dishonor someone?
Describe ways we dishonor others in our culture?
How are these common behaviors not seen as sin even among believers?
James 2:1-10 My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. 2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, 3 and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? 7 Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called? 8 If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.
Who are you supposed to honor as a follower of Jesus?
1 Peter 2:17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
How can you disagree with some one’s opinion or behavior and still treat them with honor?
Ephesians 4:15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.
Honor is not a feeling but a behavior …agree or disagree? Why or why not?
What reason does the Bible give for you honoring all people?
James 3:9-10 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it, we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
Why is dishonoring or disrespecting anyone so damaging to our witness?
Why are dishonoring people so destructive to family and church unity?
What are ways we can show honor to God and the people around us?
Proverbs 3:9 Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
How can we deal with problems and disagreements and still show value to others?
