YOUTH GROUP LESSON ON RESPECT

Lesson Overview

•Respect for others in our life is critical for the life of a believer. Jesus commands us to walk in righteous living by showing respect to God and others. This youth group lesson unpacks how a righteous lifestyle is the key to showing respect towards others.Breakdown

•Main Scripture: Proverbs 21:3; Matthew 6:1-7:12; 1 John 3:7-8

•Bottom Line: Jesus teaches us how to practice righteousness.

Capture: Grab their attention with an illustration.

•Illustration/Story: Everyone has heard the phrase, “Actions speak louder than words”before. It means that people can say a lot, but they really mean business when they do what they say. Share a story to help illustrate this point.

•It’s one thing to say we want to pursue righteousness. It’s an entirely different thing to live a righteous lifestyle. Actions speak louder than words, and if you’re going to talk the talk as a Christian, you better be ready to walk the walk!

Connect: Connect them to God’s word.

•Tension Question: Are you living out a righteous lifestyle? Do your actions reflect your words as a Christian? Today, Jesus continues in the sermon on the mount by showing us what practical righteousness looks like.

•Scripture: Proverbs 21:3 — Some translations say that “doing righteousness” is more pleasing to God than a meaningless sacrifice. Actions speak louder than words!

Consider: What does this mean for us today?

•Scripture: Matthew 6:1-7:12 — Jesus spends the entirety of chapter 6 and the beginning of chapter 7 outlining areas of practical righteousness in our life through the areas of generosity, prayer, fasting, faith, judgment, and service to others.

•The heart of this section is captured in the final verse, often called “The Golden Rule.” This summarizes the whole of the Old Testament in practicing righteousness too: do to others what you wish them to do to you!•Jesus is not satisfied with the kind of righteousness that lives in our minds and speech but has no root in our lives. The righteousness of Jesus should empower us to practice righteousness in our daily actions, showing others the goodness of Jesus!

•The teaching of Jesus not only establish our faith in Him and our eternity in His righteousness, but they also transform our actions into righteous living for Jesus!•Bottom Line: Jesus teaches us how to practice righteousness.

Collide: How do we apply this in our lives?

•Scripture: 1 John 3:7-8 — Whoever practices or produces righteousness in Jesus is righteous. However, those who practice sin belong not to Jesus but to the devil!•The word “practices” in this context can also mean “produces, performs, makes, or does.” Simply put, whoever does righteousness is righteous! It’s important to understand that without Jesus, we cannot experience righteousness at all through our works. However, when we follow Jesus, He makes us righteous and empowers us to practice righteousness, thereby confirming our status as righteous people.

•Illustration: Share a story about someone who practices doing something even though they aren’t very good at it. Take someone who runs, for example. People say that they are runners, not because of their ability or speed, but how often they do it! Someone who practices and produces running is, by default, a runner!•Practice producing righteous living. If you belong to Jesus, He has called you righteous and empowers you to begin performing righteous deeds in Him!

•Application: Practice producing righteous living.

Call: How do we respond to the message?

•Altar moment: Practice does not mean perfection. We all need Jesus to produce righteousness within us as we learn how to love others the way that Jesus first loved us! Come to the altar and give your heart to Jesus to begin this process

•Small Group Questions:

1. Give an example of the phrase: “Actions speak louder than words.”
2. Do your actions reflect those of a righteous lifestyle? Why or why not?
3. What does it mean to practice righteousness? Why is it important?
4. How can you begin practicing producing righteous acts this week?