Key Thought : Jesus longing for His church is for members to respect one another and live in Christian love and unity.

[Teaching plan for Healing Broken Relationships September 16, 2013]

1. Have a volunteer read 2 Timothy 4:11.

a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. Why doesn’t forgiveness not always include a complete restoration of a previous relationship? Why doesn’t it always need to?
c. Personal Application : How can we learn to forgive those who have hurt or disappointed us? Have you forgiven everyone? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your relatives states: I know I’m supposed to forgive that person who did me wrong, but she didn’t ask for or want my forgiveness. So I have no desire to forgive her. Why should I?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read I Corinthians 3:5-9

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. Why do people have the tendency to adore the messenger instead of holding closely to the message? Example – I loved your sermon last week Pastor, greatest one I’ve heard. Pastor – what did I speak about? I forgot, but it was a great message. Is there a danger in getting too closely attached to a church leader, pastor, or evangelist?
c. Personal Application : Have you ever been jealous or envious of someone’s gifts in ministry or in any other area? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your friends states, “Oh, I just love Doug Batchelor. I won’t listen to any other preacher but him. I was baptized in his meetings and he’s the greatest preacher in the church. Whatever he says, I’ll do it.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 4:26-32.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. What does it mean to be angry and sin not and don’t let the sun go down on your anger? Can we be angry without sinning? Why is it a sin to hold onto that anger?
c. Personal Application : Do you have a forgiving spirit, or do you tend to hold a grudge? How can we develop more of a forgiving spirit? Why don’t we forgive very easily? Share.
d. Case Study : One of your neighbors states, “Being silent and taking abuse from others is not in my nature. I was taught to stick up for myself and demand my rights and respect. Nobody’s going to mess with me without me getting in their face.” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Matthew 18:15-17

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. Why is it easier to talk about someone else’s faults instead of talking to them? Do we fear conflict or bad feelings? Share your thoughts.
c. Personal Application : Has anyone ever approached you according to Matthew 18? How did you feel? Was the experience positive or negative? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note : “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149.

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