Loving and Just Behavior Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Loving and Just Behavior Lesson 12

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline Introduction A. The Wrong Seems Strong B. Lesson Background

Shirt and Shoes Required Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Shirt and Shoes Required Every day and everywhere we have rules to follow. Some are posted, some written as instructions, and others just understood as necessary for a civilization. Briefly explain why the following rules might be useful. 154956751 Photo: © Hidesy / iStock / Thinkstock® Photo: © Hidesy / iStock / Thinkstock®

Shirt and Shoes Required Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Shirt and Shoes Required Are these rules useful? If so, how? Shirt and shoes required No wake No chewing gum Mind your head Posted: no hunting Park closes at sunset Divide your class into thirds, then assign two rules to each group to discuss. Allow time for them to share their ideas. Photo: © Hidesy / iStock / Thinkstock®

Shirt and Shoes Required Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Shirt and Shoes Required Here’s another rule, from a tea station on a Chinese passenger train: “Walk steadily and slowly to the boiled water and pour it not too full as this can be scalding you or other passengers when the train is shaking and braking to get back to your seat.” The English isn’t great, but we get the point: Don’t overfill cups of boiling liquid! Click to add notes Photo: © Hidesy / iStock / Thinkstock®

Shirt and Shoes Required Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Shirt and Shoes Required We’ll find today’s list of rules about relationships from Romans 12 refreshingly concise and universally important. Click to add notes Photo: © Hidesy / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline I. Relating with Fellow Believers (Romans 12:9-13) A. Loving Behavior (vv. 9, 10) B. Just Behavior (vv. 11-13)

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Love in Action In Romans 12:9-21, Paul gives a surprisingly large number of rules in a short amount of space. While the list is not exhaustive, it does paint a picture of how we should treat Christians and non-Christians. 200280782-001 Photo: © Jack Hollingsworth / Photodisc / Thinkstock® Photo: © Jack Hollingsworth / Photodisc / Thinkstock® 8

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Love in Action Read Romans 12:9-13 to find ways Christians are to treat each other. Identify the corresponding verse for each of the following rules. 1. Show hospitality. Verse 13 Click to add notes Photo: © Jack Hollingsworth / Photodisc / Thinkstock® 9

Love in Action Romans 12:9-13 2. Hate evil. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Love in Action Romans 12:9-13 2. Hate evil. Verse 9 3. Show one another love and devotion. Verse 10 Click to add notes Photo: © Jack Hollingsworth / Photodisc / Thinkstock® 10

Love in Action Romans 12:9-13 4. When life is hard, be patient. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Love in Action Romans 12:9-13 4. When life is hard, be patient. Verse 12 5. Don’t just pretend to love; love sincerely. Verse 9 Click to add notes Photo: © Jack Hollingsworth / Photodisc / Thinkstock® 11

Love in Action Romans 12:9-13 6. Serve the Lord fervently. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Love in Action Romans 12:9-13 6. Serve the Lord fervently. Verse 11 7. Help out needy Christians. Verse 13 Click to add notes Photo: © Jack Hollingsworth / Photodisc / Thinkstock® 12

Love in Action Romans 12:9-13 8. Be joyfully hopeful. Verse 12 Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Love in Action Romans 12:9-13 8. Be joyfully hopeful. Verse 12 Click to add notes Photo: © Jack Hollingsworth / Photodisc / Thinkstock® 13

What Do You Think? How do you know when your love is genuine? Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? How do you know when your love is genuine? Talking Points for Your Discussion Toward fellow Christians Toward unbelievers 14

What Do You Think? How do you keep your spiritual passion high? Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? How do you keep your spiritual passion high? Talking Points for Your Discussion When discouragement starts to set in When complacency starts to set in When a Christian support system is absent Other 15

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? In what ways can you be a role model in extending hospitality? Talking Points for Your Discussion In light of scriptural directives (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 4:9; 3 John 6-8) In light of current possibilities and challenges 16

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline II. Independent Exhortations (Romans 12:14-16) A. Empathetic Behavior (vv. 14, 15) B. Humble Behavior (v. 16)

Love in Action Read more rules on how to be loving in Romans 12:14-16. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Love in Action Read more rules on how to be loving in Romans 12:14-16. Identify the corresponding verse. 9. Mourn with those who mourn. Verse 15 10. Don’t be stuck up. Verse 16 170083452 Photo: © Monkey Business Images Ltd / Thinkstock® Photo: © Monkey Business / Photodisc / Thinkstock® 18

Love in Action Romans 12:14-16 Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Love in Action Romans 12:14-16 11. Don’t curse others, even if they are mean to you. Verse 14 12. Share other people’s joy. Verse 15 Click to add notes Photo: © Monkey Business / Photodisc / Thinkstock® 19

Love in Action Romans 12:14-16 Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Love in Action Romans 12:14-16 13. Associate with people in a lower station in life than you. Verse 16 14. Bless anyone who persecutes you. Verse 14 Click to add notes Photo: © Monkey Business / Photodisc / Thinkstock® 20

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? In practical terms, what could it look like to bless someone who is consistently aggressive toward you? Talking Points for Your Discussion When it’s a coworker When it’s a neighbor When it’s a family member Other 21

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline III. Relating with Unbelievers (Romans 12:17-21) A. Peaceful Behavior (vv. 17, 18) B. Compassionate Behavior (vv. 19-21)

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Love in Action Read Paul’s rules on how to be loving to non-Christians in Romans 12:17-21. Identify the corresponding verse. 15. Overcome evil with good. Verse 21 16. Leave revenge to God. Verse 19 56515151 Photo: © Image Source / Thinkstock® Photo: © Image Source / Photodisc / Thinkstock® 23

Love in Action Romans 12:17-21 Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Love in Action Romans 12:17-21 17. As best you can, live at peace with others. Verse 18 18. Live in a way that others see as honest and honorable. Verse 17 Click to add notes Photo: © Image Source / Photodisc / Thinkstock® 24

Love in Action Romans 12:17-21 19. If your enemy is hungry, feed him. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Love in Action Romans 12:17-21 19. If your enemy is hungry, feed him. Verse 20 20. Do not return evil for evil. Verse 17 Click to add notes Photo: © Image Source / Photodisc / Thinkstock® 25

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? What techniques have you used to attempt to de-escalate a conflict with unbelievers? Talking Points for Your Discussion Techniques that have worked Techniques that had no effect Techniques that backfired, making things worse 26

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Horizontal Visual Challenge learners to sum up the 14 entries on the left with a single word or phrase, then do the same with the 22 entries on the right.

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline Conclusion A. Overcoming Evil B. Prayer C. Thought to Remember

Rules and Relationships Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Rules and Relationships If you hear a person say, “It’s not about rules; it’s about relationship,” what would that person be referring to? Have you ever been in a relationship with a person who followed no rules—no code of conduct, no consideration of your feelings? 122413671 Photo: © Ingram Publishing / Thinkstock® Photo: © Ingram Publishing / Thinkstock®

Rules and Relationships Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Rules and Relationships In what way do rules, such as the ones Paul taught, help relationships work more smoothly? Identify one rule from Paul’s list that really stood out to you today. How will you implement it this week? Click to add notes Photo: © Ingram Publishing / Thinkstock®

Thought to Remember Do good to those who aren’t good. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Thought to Remember Do good to those who aren’t good.

Practicing Justice Next Week’s Lesson Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Next Week’s Lesson Practicing Justice