TO THE LEADER OF THE STUDY (Tap to Expand)
In today’s society, respect is in a sad state of affairs. We see a lack of respect just about everywhere, but that’s the world and it’s different for those who love God. There must be an uncompromising expectation of young teens to respect those they are called to respect. Every aspect of disrespect must he challenged in their lives from this study. Believe deep in your heart they want to respect others (draw it out of them).
Discussion
What does respect mean?
- Look up to
- Admire
- Listen to
The answer: To feel or show honor or esteem for: hold in high regard.
The goal of this study is to help us see how important respect is to God and to teach us who needs to be respected.
The Scriptures
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Best place to start is respect for God. How do you show respect for God?
By loving God with all you’ve got. How do you love God with all your heart and soul (emotions)? Mind and strength (actions)?
- Share your heart with him in prayer
- Do all God asks of you
- Serve God (by being a servant to others)
- Constantly think about God and what Jesus would do in every situation
Bottom Line: You show respect for God by honoring him by who you are, what you say and how you live. Your respect for God will cause you to respect others, as he commands.
EPHESIANS 6:1-3 (Tap to Expand)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Respect your parent(s).
How should you honor and show respect for your parents?
- Obey right away without complaining
- Love them unconditionally.
- Listen attentively and look them in the eyes when they speak
- Be open with them (share your heart)
- Appreciate and value them for who they are and all they do for you
- Have respectful body language (read Proverbs 21:4-What are haughty eyes?)
Bottom line: Any disrespect for your parent(s) needs to change. The result of respect is that it brings joy to God and joy to your family.
Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
Name others you absolutely need to respect.
- Sibling(s), coaches of athletic teams, leaders in the church, policemen and other government officials, teachers in school and people running clubs or activities you’re a part of.
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Respecting rules, regulations, guidelines, and laws. Why should you follow these?
- God expects you to.
- It builds your spiritual character.
- You contribute to order rather than participate in disorder. Name some rules/guidelines you need to follow at home, school or other people’s houses
Bottom line: The fact of life is that there are rules, regulations, laws and guidelines to follow everywhere you go. God expects us to follow them as long as it doesn’t contradict the Bible. You must repent of any disrespectful attitude in any of these areas.
Personal Heart Check Questions
1. Would God say he feels like you respect him? Would your parents?
2. To whom are you most tempted to be disrespectful? How will you repent?
3. What rules, regulations, laws or guidelines are you most tempted not to follow?
How will you repent?
Practical Applications
Write out a half-page about what you’ve learned from this study and what you will do differently because of what you learned.
