RELATIONSHIPS

Jesus teachings are about human beings striving to become more conscious of their relationships with others and with God. Scriptures teach the virtues of respect, concern, compassion, love, tolerance, honesty and selflessness. The life of Jesus is an inspiration to Christians, by his sacrificial death.

John 13:34 “I give you a new commandment, love one another”

Mark 12:31 “You shall love your neighbour as yourself”

Love, is a word that people often speak, sing or write about but it is not always an easy word to define or an easy thing to apply in daily life.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealousy or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever, but prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will all disappear”

Love (Greek)

EROS – Romantic love

PHILOS – Intimate love between friends. The love for those people you get along with well, and those whom you like, on this level you love because you are loved.

AGAPE – More than romantic, friendship. It understands creative, redemptive goodwill to all people. It is an overflowing love that seeks nothing in return. It’s the love of God operating in human heart. When you rise to love on this level, you love all men, not because you like them, not the way they appeal to you, but because God loves them.

Mathew 5:44 “Love your enemies” – We are happy that Jesus didn’t say “Like your enemies”, because there are some people we find it difficult to like. Liking is an affectionate emotion.

Ask yourself:

• What is the most common practiced love from the above definitions do you find in young people today?
• What might be the reasons for that?
• Which one do you think should be the most practiced one and why?

 

The Family

Exodus 20:12 “Honour your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God will give you”

Proverbs 23:22 “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother’s experience when she is old. Get the truth and don’t ever sell it; also get wisdom, discipline and discernment

Verse 25 “So, give your parents joy! May she who gave you birth be happy”

The bible put a great stress on the importance and value of the family. It is seen as an institution that is necessary for the stability of society, and one that is ordained by God. Children are a gift from God.

Colossians 3:21 “Fathers, don’t aggravate your children. If you do, they will become discouraged and quit trying”

We are all God’s children then we are all united, we are all of one family. The close family unit may often be very inward looking and can be a breaking ground for prejudice, false information and psychological damage.

Ask yourself:

• What problems face the modern family?
• What do you think is lacking in today’s family life?
• What do you think is the right approach to family issues?
• What causes a big generation gap?
• What role do you think you can play in your own family life?