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Easy Reading Edition Date1

SABBATHDATE

Easy Reading Edition January 1521

READ FOR THIS WEEKS LESSON: 1 Samuel 25; Ephesians 4:13; 1 Peter3:912; Luke 17:3, 4; Luke 23:34; James 5:16.

MEMORY VERSE: In everything, do to others what you would want them todo to you. This is what is written in the Law and in the Prophets (Matthew7:12, NIrV).

A CITY EVANGELIST2 OFTEN HELD STRESS-MANAGEMENT SEMINARS

before his evangelistic meetings

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in cities He had developed a simple survey(questionnaire) He asked the audience to list the four or five things that causedthem the most stress Workers grouped the answers in general groups (health,money, work, relationships) Before the count was completed, one worker sawthat the speaker already had prepared a set of transparencies4 to discuss rela-tionships as the number one problem When questioned, the pastor explainedthat the results were always the same Bad relationships always came up as thechief cause of stress

Relationship problems might be with a spouse (husband or wife), our children,a boss, coworker, neighbor, friend, or enemy Other people are often the main

cause of our stress But when relationships are positive, they can lead to greathappiness This seems to be true everywhere People make us very happy, orpeople make us very unhappy

That is why this week we will spend some time on the important topic of rela-tionships and what the Bible teaches us about them

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SABBATHJANUARY 15

Relationships1

1 relationshipshow people live, work, or socialize with others2 evangelista preacher who travels, preaching the gospel (good news about Jesus)3 evangelistic meetingsmeetings that teach the gospel to many people at one time

4 transparenciespieces of thin, clear plastic with pictures or words printed on them that can be viewed on alarge screen by shining light through them


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Lesson 1 Lesson Title

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good health David introduced himselfas your son David (verse 8, NIV)

As for Abigail, the Bible tells us that

she was smart and beautiful Considerher behavior She gathered plenty ofgood food She ran to apologize toDavid, bowed down before him, spokeof herself as your servant and ofDavid as my master She asked forforgiveness She also reminded Davidthat, as a man of God, he needed toavoid needless bloodshed

Abigails wise and humble actionschanged Davids plans David praisedthe Lord for sending her and praisedher for her good judgment The actionsof Abigail saved the lives of manyinnocent men As for Nabal, he diedprobably of heart failure caused by hisown fear

It is easy (usually) to be kind to

those we like. But what about thosewe do not like? Think of those youfind very disagreeable. How wouldthey act if you showed a humbleand gentle attitude (feeling) towardthem? Through Gods grace, giveit a try. (Remember, too, that youmight not always be the most popu-lar and lovable soul either.)

REPAYING EVIL WITHBLESSINGS (1 Peter 3:812)

What is the true purpose or mean-

Lesson 4 RELATIONSHIPS

COMPLETELY HUMBLE AND

GENTLE (Ephesians 4:13)

Read Ephesians 4:13. Why doyou think Paul connects a humblespirit, gentleness, and patiencewith good relationships and unity?5Think of examples from your ownlife when good attitudes had a pos-itive influence6 on relationships.

Read 1 Samuel 25. What can welearn from the actions of Abigail andDavid about doing the right thing indifficult and tense situations?

The story of David, Nabal, and

Abigail is an excellent example of howyou should and should not treat othersDavid sent his soldiers to ask Nabal a

favor We have protected your menand your property Give us whateveryou can find (1 Samuel 25:7, 8, inthe authors own words) But Nabaldid not know about kindness He hadno skill in dealing with others withoutcausing bad feelings We are toldthat Nabal was a harsh and evil manOther translations use words such as

bitter, mean, rough, dishonest, andrude. And Nabal surely showed thesetraits7 to Davids soldiers

But notice Davids attitude Davidheld the military power, but his mes-sage was full of care David wishedNabal and his household long life and

SUNDAYJANUARY 16

MONDAYJANUARY 17

5 unitybeing in full agreement6 influencethe power to change or affect someone or something; the power to cause changes without directly

forcing them to happen7 traitsqualities that make one person or thing different from another


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Lesson 1 Lesson TitleLesson 4 RELATIONSHIPS

ing of 1 Peter 3:812? What aresome of the immediate ways youcan use these principles (rules) in

your own life?

Instead of an eye for an eye, Jesustaught us to turn the other cheek(Matthew 5:38, 39) This idea wasstrange then and still is today in manycultures8 Sadly, even Christians donot always show goodness to oth-ers in return for the evil or hurt doneagainst them But Jesus keeps say-ing, Learn from me I am gentleand free of pride (Matthew 11:29,NIrV)

A couple with small children washaving serious problems with theirneighbors Several times, theseneighbors told the young parents howunhappy they were about the swingset the parents had set up in the yard

It bothered them to hear the childrenplaying on it And the neighbors alsocomplained about the mess in theyoung familys yard The young par-ents were hurt by these unkind wordsAfter all, they were not doing anythingagainst the neighborhood rules

One day, the family was harvest-ing apples from the backyard apple

trees The mother decided to give theneighbors two freshly baked applepies The neighbors accepted thepies gladly That simple act made abig difference in their relationshipThis is probably because the neigh-bors never would have expected any-thing like that from people they com-plained about

PIX #13

How did David pay Saul backfor the attacks on his life? Read1 Samuel 24:46. What does thistell us about Davids character?9How might we use the same atti-tude10 in our own experience, espe-

cially with other Christians?

The first book of Samuel tells offour times when David had the oppor-tunity (chance) to kill King Saul Butinstead, David forgave the king eachtime David chose a humble and godlymanner in his dealings with someonewho was not kind to him

Should we not all do the same?

FORGIVENESS (Ephesians 4:32)

It is possible to live a rich andmeaningful religious life and still haveproblems with other people We often

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Instead of an eye for an eye, Jesus taught

us to turn the other cheek.

8 culturesthe beliefs, customs, arts, and so on, of different societies or groups of people

9 characterthe way someone thinks, feels, and acts; someones personality10 attitudethe way someone thinks or feels about someone or something


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upset others and cause one anotherpain, even in the church That is whyit is important for us to learn how to

forgive

Read Ephesians 4:32. How wellhave you been using this Bibletruth in your life? Whom do youneed to forgive? Why is it impor-tant, for your own good, to forgivethem?

In recent years, people who workas counselors have started to under-stand just how important spiritualprinciples are for the health of ourminds For years, many psycholo-gists11 and counselors believed thatreligion was the cause of guilt andfear But that is not so true any-more Today, many make use ofChristian principles Therapies12

such as prayer, spiritual journaling,memorizing Bible verses, and for-giveness are now accepted ways ofhelping people overcome differentemotional13 problems Forgivenesscauses people to feel comfort andrelief It frees us from the pain andguilt of the past It heals us This isbecause the ability to truly forgive

and be forgiven comes only fromGod and through a heart that Godhas changed (Ezekiel 36:26)

Read Matthew 5:2325; Luke17:3, 4; and Luke 23:34. What dothey teach us about forgiveness?

PIX #14

We may sometimes think that for-

giveness is impossible to give Butno person will ever reach the level ofpain and suffering that Jesus sufferedon the cross The King and Creator ofthe universe was tortured and cruci-fied (put to death on a cross) by the

people He created But even as Hehung dying on the cross, Jesus lovedthem enough to beg the Father fortheir forgiveness

At times, people wrong otherswithout a full understanding ofthe pain they are causing. At othertimes, people offend because they

feel unsafe or have personal prob-lems. So, they try to get relief fromtheir pain and guilt by hurting oth-ers. How can knowing the prob-lems of others help you offer for-giveness? How can you learn toforgive those who are trying tohurt you?

Forgiveness comes from a heart that Godhas changed.

11 psychologistsscientists who specialize in the study and treatment of the mind and behavior

12 therapiestreatments for physical or mental illnesses13 emotionalof or relating to emotions (strong feelings such as love, anger, joy, hate, or fear)


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Lesson 1 Lesson TitleLesson 4 RELATIONSHIPS

PIX #15

CONFESS YOUR SINS TO ONEANOTHER (James 5:16)

What do you think James 5:16

means by confessing sins to oneanother? Think about this verse andask yourself how you need to use itsteaching in your own situation.

When I sin against my neighbor, Imust confess it to him or her and askfor forgiveness This will restore (bringback; heal) the relationship It shows

that I am willing to be responsiblefor what I have done It also showsthat I trust and hope for acceptanceand forgiveness By Gods grace,14a noble soul will give forgiveness, nomatter how deeply hurt he or she is

There is an additional meaningin this verse that can help peopleheal more quickly Confessing sins,

errors, and wrongs to someone youtrust brings about emotional heal-ing Talking about or sharing our

own weaknesses to a godly Christianfriend will help reduce the burden ofsin Confession also deepens per-sonal relationships Trusting andbeing trusted helps people unite (jointogether as one) to make a friendshiptrue and lasting In fact, the entirecounseling practice is based uponthe principle that talking is good forthe soul There are mental disordersthat require professional treatmentBut many feelings of pain or suffer-ing can be relieved at the church andcommunity levels This is especiallytrue for problems caused by misun-derstandings, lies, and jealousy Byfollowing the advice of James, wecan reduce psychological burdensWe can also help bring renewed

strength to relationships and changedestructive behaviors

We need to be careful, thoughConfession of committed sins to aclose friend may bring much reliefBut it also exposes our weaknesses toothers For example, there is alwaysthe risk that our friend will share thesecret of our weakness with other

people, which is destructive to allthose involvedMost important, we know that we

can always confess our sins fully tothe Lord with the promise of forgive-ness Read 1 Peter 5:7 Harmfulrelationships may bring doubt andeven fear and anxiety (nervousness)Other people may be able to help,

WEDNESDAYJANUARY 19

Even as Jesus hung dying on the cross, He

forgave those who put Him there.

14 graceGods gift of forgiveness and mercy (kindness that is not deserved) that He freely gives us to takeaway our sins


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but the surest help comes from God,who is willing to take all our cares atany time He also leaves us with a

true sense of relief for having left ourburdens in His hands

BUILDING OTHERS UP(Ephesians 4:29)

Read Ephesians 4:29; 1 Thessalo-nians 5:11; and Romans 14:19. Askyourself how you can use this teach-ing in your own life. Why is this soimportant, not only for yourself butfor others, as well?

Paul warns the early church com-

munities not to hurt or destroy per-sonal relationships in the body ofChrist [the church] Many problems

come from people tearing each otherdown and hurting the entire commu-nity People who gossip and criticizeothers seem to have problems them-selves They may believe they areless worthy or important than othersThey may feel a need to be noticed ora desire for control or power Thesepeople need help to let go of such

hurtful ways of dealing with their owninner struggles and problemsFeeling good about ourselves helps

keep us from being involved in gos-sip and lying Members of the bodyof Christ need to remember that theyhave been honored with the gift ofsalvation (Psalm 17:8; 1 Peter 2:9) Byunderstanding this, we can remember

that the goal is to build others up andto learn from one another Words ofencouragement and approval, which

are always positive and joyful, areways of supporting people who havepersonal problems

Another way to help is to serve asmediators15 Jesus calls peacemakers blessed and children of God (Matthew 5:9, KJV) James says thatpeacemakers will reap a harvest ofrighteousness (James 3:18, NIV)

Read Matthew 7:12. Why is this

so important to all relationships?This principle is a priceless jewel It

is positive, and it is based on love It istrue at all times and in all places And itstretches above and beyond human16law The golden rule also bringsabout positive benefits17 to everyone

involvedA farmer in China was caring for his

rice paddy (field) up in the mountainsoverlooking the valley and the seaOne day he saw the beginning of atidal wave The sea had backed up,leaving a wide part of the bay exposedThe farmer knew that the water wouldreturn with force, destroying everything

in the valley He thought of his friendsworking in the valley and decided to sethis rice field on fire His friends quicklyran up the mountain to put the fire out,which saved them from being killedin the tidal wave As a result of thisspirit of helping one another, the farmersaved the lives of his friends

The lesson is clear

THURSDAYJANUARY 20

15 mediatorspeople working to bring peace and accord (agreement) between people who disagree16 humanof, relating to, or affecting people17 benefitsgood or helpful results or effects


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