1. Loving and Just Behavior
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Loving and Just Behavior
Lesson 12

2. Copyright © 2017
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Colorado 80918
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Lesson Outline
Introduction A. The Wrong Seems Strong B. Lesson Background

3. Shirt and Shoes Required
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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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.
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Photo: © Hidesy / iStock / Thinkstock®

4. Shirt and Shoes Required
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
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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.
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5. Shirt and Shoes Required
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
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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!
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6. Shirt and Shoes Required
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Standard Publishing,
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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Shirt and Shoes Required
We’ll find today’s list of rules about relationships from Romans 12 refreshingly concise and universally important.
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7. Copyright © 2017
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part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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Lesson Outline
I. Relating with Fellow Believers (Romans 12:9-13) A. Loving Behavior (vv. 9, 10) B. Just Behavior (vv )

8. Copyright © 2017
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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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.
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Photo: © Jack Hollingsworth / Photodisc / Thinkstock® 8

9. Copyright © 2017
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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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
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10. Love in Action Romans 12:9-13 2. Hate evil.
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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Love in Action
Romans 12:9-13
2. Hate evil.
Verse 9
3. Show one another love and devotion.
Verse 10
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11. Love in Action Romans 12:9-13 4. When life is hard, be patient.
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Colorado 80918
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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
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12. Love in Action Romans 12:9-13 6. Serve the Lord fervently.
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Colorado 80918
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Love in Action
Romans 12:9-13
6. Serve the Lord fervently.
Verse 11
7. Help out needy Christians.
Verse 13
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13. Love in Action Romans 12:9-13 8. Be joyfully hopeful. Verse 12
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Love in Action
Romans 12:9-13
8. Be joyfully hopeful.
Verse 12
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14. What Do You Think? How do you know when your love is genuine?
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What Do You Think?
How do you know when your love is genuine?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
Toward fellow Christians
Toward unbelievers 14

15. What Do You Think? How do you keep your spiritual passion high?
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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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

16. Copyright © 2017
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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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

17. Copyright © 2017
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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Lesson Outline
II. Independent Exhortations (Romans 12:14-16) A. Empathetic Behavior (vv. 14, 15) B. Humble Behavior (v. 16)

18. Love in Action Read more rules on how to be loving in Romans 12:14-16.
Copyright © 2017
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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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
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Photo: © Monkey Business / Photodisc / Thinkstock® 18

19. Love in Action Romans 12:14-16
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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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
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20. Love in Action Romans 12:14-16
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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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
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21. Copyright © 2017
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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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

22. Copyright © 2017
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part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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Lesson Outline
III. Relating with Unbelievers (Romans 12:17-21) A. Peaceful Behavior (vv. 17, 18) B. Compassionate Behavior (vv )

23. Copyright © 2017
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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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
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Photo: © Image Source / Photodisc / Thinkstock® 23

24. Love in Action Romans 12:17-21
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Colorado 80918
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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
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25. Love in Action Romans 12:17-21 19. If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
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Colorado 80918
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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
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26. Copyright © 2017
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Colorado 80918
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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

27. Copyright © 2017
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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.

28. Copyright © 2017
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Colorado 80918
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Lesson Outline
Conclusion A. Overcoming Evil B. Prayer C. Thought to Remember

29. Rules and Relationships
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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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?
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Photo: © Ingram Publishing / Thinkstock®

30. Rules and Relationships
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
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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?
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31. Thought to Remember Do good to those who aren’t good. Copyright © 2017
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Thought to Remember
Do good to those who aren’t good.

32. Practicing Justice Next Week’s Lesson Copyright © 2017
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Colorado 80918
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Next Week’s Lesson
Practicing Justice