warm-up

What’s a recent act of kindness you’ve done or seen?

Tell us about one of your longtime friends. How did you build your relationship over the years?

Tell us about a time you forgave someone close to you. What happened? How did you feel?

word

8Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. ⁹Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8,9

Peter encouraged the Christian community to live in unity, compassion, love, tenderness, and humility, blessing one another. This is what relational unity is. However, this environment and culture is only possible because our lives have been changed by the gospel. Christ-like conduct is only possible because of a Christ-transformed heart. In this lesson, we will look at three choices we need to make to guard relational unity and reflect the transforming power of the gospel.

1
Choose humility over pride.

. . . Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5

Peter called Christians to have a humble mind, and to clothe ourselves with humility toward one another. Pride is our default as humans and sinners, but because of Christ’s power in our lives, we can intentionally choose humility over pride. What is humility? What does choosing humility look like when it comes to relationships?

2
Choose love over selfishness.

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 1 Peter 3:8

The same way it is with pride, it is easier and more “natural” to selfishly consider ourselves first or put ourselves ahead of others. However, Christ gave up His very life for us, selflessly and out of love. Because of this, we can choose to treat each other out of love and not selfishness. How can we reflect brotherly love in our church community?

3
Choose forgiveness over revenge.

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9

(Read Matthew 18:21,22.)

Another “natural” response in relationships is to choose revenge or bitterness over forgiveness. In Matthew 18, Peter asked Jesus if he should forgive someone up to seven times. Three was the limit of generosity in their culture; seven times seemed to be overflowing and generous. Jesus answered that he should forgive up to seventy-seven times—basically, as many times as he had to. In 1 Peter, the apostle tells us we are called to bless one another no matter how we are treated. Share a time when you had to choose forgiveness over revenge, and it brought you closer to someone in the church community.

application

Do you believe in the power of the gospel to transform your heart and enable you to live in unity with others? Would you like to accept the truth of the gospel today, and trust in Christ alone for salvation?

Are there some parts of your life where you find it difficult to choose humility, love, and forgiveness? How can you grow in your understanding of Christ’s love and forgiveness this week?

Who among your family and friends need to hear the gospel? How can you demonstrate God’s love to them this week?

prayer

Thank God for the gospel message that transforms hearts and changes lives. Thank Him for your church community.

Ask God for the grace to choose humility, love, and forgiveness over pride, selfishness, and revenge. Ask Him for the grace to intentionally choose and guard relational unity.

Pray that you will be an instrument of unity in your church. Pray that you will demonstrate love and grace to your family and friends.

© 2017 by VICTORY®
All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Copyright © 2001
by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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