Each of us is special to God
Many people feel they are failures. They may have failed to progress with their education; they may struggle to maintain their families; they may lack confidence because they lack outside knowledge. When others ask for their opinions, they may feel they have nothing to share. This lack of confidence goes against biblical teaching.
Read Matthew 10:29-30 and Psalm 139:13-16
Here we see just how much value God gives each one of us. Not one of us is worthless in God’s sight. To him we are all special and valued.
Read Luke 15:1-2
Jesus was willing to mix with all kinds of people – no matter what others thought of them. This shows God’s willingness to accept all people and our equal status before God. Jesus only condemned people if they claimed to be better than their neighbours (Luke 18:9-14). In our work with people and communities, we need to work with the poor and oppressed – not for them. We need to value each person and help them to feel more positively about themselves. We need to develop skills in listening and understanding.
- How good are you at listening to other people’s concerns?
Do you really listen and encourage people to share their concerns and help them work out what they should do? Or are you just waiting for a pause in the conversation to give your advice?
- What would you like to be different in your life? What are you willing to do to bring about change? Do you need help and support from others? Or from God?
- How do you think of yourself? Do you regard your knowledge and training as something you have achieved through effort and hard work? Or do you regard your skills as a gift from God – to be shared freely with others?
- Consider how you treat the people you work with. Are they people with potential – or people with huge problems? How does God regard them?
Pray that we will always see people as God sees them.
The Good Samaritan
Many times in the Bible we are called to love our neighbour. As this study shows, our neighbour is not just the person who lives next door to us – and may not even be from the same country.
Read Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 19:19, Mark 12:28-34 and Romans 13:9.
- What do all of these verses have in common?
The parable of the Good Samaritan explains the command to ‘love your neighbour’.
Read Luke 10:25-37
Jesus teaches us that we should love each other, even across cultural and social boundaries. When the lawyer asked Jesus, ‘Who is my neighbour?’ he was perhaps expecting Jesus to answer ‘Your fellow Jew’. But Jesus answered otherwise. We are not told anything about the man who is attacked in the parable, although those listening were Jewish and would have assumed that he was a Jew.
However, a priest and a Levite – both members of the religious elite in Israel at the time – passed by the injured man. In the time of Jesus, Samaritans were despised by the Jews. Yet in the parable, it is a travelling Samaritan who sees the injured man and has compassion on him.
- Who is your neighbour?
- Think of times when you have found it difficult to love your neighbour. Why did you find it difficult?
- How will your attitude towards others change in the light of this passage?
Disabilities: knowing our true value
Sadly, society often overlooks the worth that God has given people with disabilities. In our plans and work, we often ignore the huge contribution that such people can make.
Read Ephesians 2:10 and 1 Corinthians 12:7
We have all been made in the image of God – those with disabilities and those without disabilities. We have all been created for a purpose, with something valuable to offer. All of us. God does not discriminate. People may discriminate, but God does not. People with disabilities have much to offer their communities but, like everyone, they need an opening.
- In our church, in our work, in our everyday life, how can we encourage those with disabilities to use the gifts God has given them?
- Do we sometimes discriminate without really meaning to?
- What things in our society and in our culture make it difficult for people with disabilities to reach their full potential? What could we do to improve the situation?
Read Romans 5:1-11, 8:12-17
Jesus Christ died upon the cross so that we may be reconciled to God and know his perfect peace, whatever our physical condition. In Jesus Christ, all people can know their true value as sons and daughters of our Living God.
The ministry of Dorcas
In this Bible study, we look at the value of one particular woman in God’s service – Dorcas.
Read Acts 9:36-39
Dorcas had a great love for the Lord. She spent time in prayer and studying the Bible. From her love of God came this great love for others. Notice that she always helped the poor – not only when she had time and resources, but always.
- What has God called us to do?
- Who benefits from our work – ourselves, our pride or others?
Read Acts 9:40-42
God raised Dorcas from the dead because he had compassion on the people who mourned her. Her friends – especially the poor and widows – missed her so much.
- When we leave our area for new work will people be glad or sad?
- Who will cry if we die?
Pray Paul’s prayer in 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 for all those who serve the poor.
Showing grace to our enemies
It is often hard to show compassion to people we do not know or find difficult. It is even harder when we are hated or threatened by those we are able to help. The Bible’s teaching on how to approach our enemies is quite clear.
Read Matthew 5:43-48
Jesus urges his listeners to love their enemies. He uses the example of God, who causes the sun to rise and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous alike. The greatest demonstration of unconditional love is God’s grace through Jesus Christ. He loves us despite our sin. It is very easy to love and spend time with those who love us.
- What does Jesus challenge us to do in verse 46?
- What does he also challenge us to do in verse 47?
- What implications does this have for our relationships with people who hurt us?
Verse 48 encourages us to seek perfection or completeness – an idea that is very close to the wholeness of shalom. Although we will never be perfect on this earth, we should try to follow God’s example by showing grace to our enemies and reaching out to them.
See also
Romans 12:4-8 One body, many members
1 Corinthians 12:12-31 One body, many parts
1Thessalonians 2:9 We worked night and day
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres