For the next SIX Sundays, we’ll be participating in the All Church Study of “Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living” by Rueben P. Job. The study guide is “Three Simple Rules: For Christian Living” by Jeanne Torrence Finley. The study guide is useful, but not required. We’ll use questions from the study guide in our discussion, as presented below.
If you do not already have these, they are available after worship services in Linder Hall or the church office. They are also available from Amazon in book or Kindle form.
We will spend two Sundays on each of the three rules. The first Sunday we’ll discuss what the rule means; the second Sunday, we’ll get deep into application of the rule.
For this coming Sunday, January 14, we’ll get into the first rule, “ Do No Harm.” Please read through page 32 in the book by Job. If you choose to use the study guide by Finley, read Chapter 1, pp. 7-16.
Questions for discussion:
- In our 21st century world, what might be intentional harm? Examples?
- What might be unintentional harm? Examples?
- What might be collective harm? Examples?
14 I know — that is, I have been persuaded by the Lord Yeshua the Messiah — that nothing is unclean in itself. But if a person considers something unclean, then for him it is unclean; 15 and if your brother is being upset by the food you eat, your life is no longer one of love. Do not, by your eating habits, destroy someone for whom the Messiah died! 16 Do not let what you know to be good, be spoken of as bad; 17 for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, shalom and joy in the Ruach HaKodesh. 18 Anyone who serves the Messiah in this fashion both pleases God and wins the approval of other people.
19 So then, let us pursue the things that make for shalom and mutual upbuilding. 20 Don’t tear down God’s work for the sake of food. True enough, all things are clean; but it is wrong for anybody by his eating to cause someone to fall away. 21 What is good is not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22 The belief you hold about such things, keep between yourself and God. Happy the person who is free of self-condemnation when he approves of something! 23 But the doubter comes under condemnation if he eats, because his action is not based on trust. And anything not based on trust is a sin.
.). What connections do you see between this Bible passage & the intentional practice of doing no harm?
38 “You have heard that our fathers were told, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’[Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21] 39 But I tell you not to stand up against someone who does you wrong. On the contrary, if someone hits you on the right cheek, let him hit you on the left cheek too! 40 If someone wants to sue you for your shirt, let him have your coat as well! 41 And if a soldier forces you to carry his pack for one mile, carry it for two! 42 When someone asks you for something, give it to him; when someone wants to borrow something from you, lend it to him.
43 “You have heard that our fathers were told, ‘Love your neighbor[
Recall times when you have not retaliated. What were your motives for not seeking revenge? Were you able to preserve your own dignity and self-respect?
Matthew 5:43 Leviticus 19:18
] — and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 Then you will become children of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun shine on good and bad people alike, and he sends rain to the righteous and the unrighteous alike. 46 What reward do you get if you love only those who love you? Why, even tax-collectors do that! 47 And if you are friendly only to your friends, are you doing anything out of the ordinary? Even the Goyim do that! 48 Therefore, be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect..). What challenges you in this reading? How does it relate to the practice of doing no harm? How do you interpret this difficult passage?See you Sunday,
Kay
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