Turn the Other Cheek
May 19-20, 2011
- WELCOME, 15 mins.
Plan one to two icebreakers for the purpose of mixing around and getting group participation or getting acquainted.
- WORSHIP, 20 mins.
Prayerfully choose a few songs to lead people into God’s presence. During this time, cell leaders will encourage cell members to listen to the Holy Spirit and release the words of strengthening, encouragement, and comfort they have received for the cell group, the church and nations. Upon each word shared, the cell leader will lead members by thanking and praising God for His promise and/or praying aloud together for the needs, etc.
- WORKS, 20 mins.
During this time, the cell will break into groups of three to pray for the followings: (1) the mission organization or daughter church adopted by the cell (2) the church ministry needs as printed on Sunday bulletin (3) individual needs, new comers, the sick, and blessings for one another.
- WORD, 45 mins.
TOPICAL STUDY: Turn theother cheek
Scriptures:See Scripture referenced below.A)The good intention of United Airlines
United Airlines started a training program for juvenile delinquents in which Company trained these ex-convicts for working in an airline reservations department. As part of the fifteen weeks of intensive training, the youths learned how to use the phone and computer to access the airline reservation system. Customers only need to provide their credit card number upon making a reservation. Out of the 213 youths who graduated, many have received job offers to work at airline companies and travel agencies. Unfortunately, amongst them, one graduate ended up stealing a customer's credit card information for his personal use. The customer impacted said, "I hate to take away the second chance that these people deserve, but this program is too susceptible to credit card fraud by these people." Currently, this training program is suspended for further review and evaluation.
Discussion question 1: If you were the person in charge of the United program, what would you do? Why? Is there a way to protect the customers' credit information while at the same time giving these ex-convicts another chance?
B)The Bible teaches us to transform hatred to love
- If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. (Matt 5:38-42)
- If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, "I repent", forgive him. (Luke 17:3-4)
- Hatred stirs up dissension but love covers over all wrong (Prov 10:12)
- Love always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Cor 13:7)
- God demonstrated his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Discussion question 2: Jesus taught us that when someone strikes us on our right cheek, we should turn to him the other also. What is the best interpretation for this verse?
a)Turn your left cheek to the person and ask him to strike you on it too.
b)Do not fight with evil people.
c)Love and compassion is the virtue of Christianity.
d)When we are stricken on our right cheek because of doing what is right, we need to continue doing the good we were doing, even if that person slaps us on the other cheek.
Discussion question 3: If someone strikes me on my cheek, I will strike him back. What would be the result of this action? Why?
a)He will know I am not someone to be bullied and will leave me alone from now on.
b)He will know that bullying others is not right and will stop bullying me as well as others going forward.
c)If I am stronger than he is, I will strike him back. If I do not think I can win the fight against him, I better just forget about it.
d)Fighting back will only create more conflicts and will never end.
C) David: A man after God's heart
David was struck on his right cheek, but he turned his other cheek as well. Saul was the first King of Israel. He was tormented by an evil spirit. Whenever the evil spirit came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him. Goliath, the Philistine, mocked at the Israelites when no one dared to fight him on the battlefield. David stepped out in faith and defeated Goliath with five smooth stones. All of a sudden, David became a national hero. The women danced and sang about him on the streets. King Saul became jealous of David and wanted to kill him. Although Saul had fallen into the hands of David twice, David refused to kill Saul.
- Saul sent his battle troops to capture David.
- One time, Saul fell into the hands of David.
- Saul called on his men to kill David in order to protect his throne.
- Saul's men fell asleep and fell into the hands of David for the second time.
- Saul confessed to David, “I have acted like a fool and have erred greatly. May you be blessed."
- Saul died in the battle with the Philistines.
- David did not kill Saul.
- David spared Saul's life and Saul said to David, "You are more righteous than I."
- David spared Saul once again.
- The whole nation rejoiced at David being crowned as king.
- David was known as a man after God's heart.
Discussion question 4: Why did David spare Saul's life each time?
Discussion question 5: Which category of people will you be willing to turn your other cheek after being struck by them on one cheek?
Spouse, Teacher, Neighbor, Children, Soldier, Parents, Student, Siblings, Enemies, Business competitors, Police, Newspaper man, Bus driver, Salesperson, Robber, Pastor, Boss, Coworkers…
Please select four of the above and explain why you will be willing to turn the other cheek for them.
D) Unyielding love
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal 6:9
Discussion question 6: Please select a response that most applicable to you and explain your answer.
- When others offend me…
a)I tend to stay away from them in the future.
b)Depending on who they are, I may love them even more.
c)I will warn them and threaten revenge if they do it again. This will help build character in them and can be considered tough love.
- Gal 6:9 is….
a)A command. Christians should to obey.
b)An encouragement. We will do what we can.
Response: Thank you Lord Jesus that you love us with an everlasting love. Despite our weaknesses and transgressions, you are patiently waiting for us to turn back to you. Because of your mercy and acceptance, we have no fear in coming to you and asking for your forgiveness. Help us learn to extend the same mercy and acceptance to others. If we have unforgiveness in our hearts, help us to forgive. Let your love and Spirit fill us that we may bless those around us with your love and goodness, even our enemies. We pray also that every unbeliever that we know would receive the gift of salvation and will come to experience your love.
Memory verse this week:Gal 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Scripture for next week: Acts 16: 6-15