Mission to My Neighbour

OVERVIEW

This week’s lesson teaches us about the importance of love in our lives. It focuses on two fundamental commandments given by Jesus: to love the Lord with all our heart and to love our neighbors as ourselves. These commandments require more than just words; they call for action and genuine care for others. The lesson reminds us that eternal life is a precious gift, and understanding how to attain it is essential. It encourages us to always be ready to share our faith with others, even when faced with challenging situations. It underscores the significance of turning to the Bible for guidance, as it contains answers to life’s important questions. The lesson also emphasizes the importance of living out our faith through our actions, showing love and kindness to everyone we meet, regardless of their background. We are reminded that our neighbor is anyone who needs our help, and it is our responsibility to reach out and assist them. Ultimately, the lesson underscores that the central theme of loving God and loving our neighbors is about showing kindness and love to everyone we encounter.

SATURDAY – Introduction

Memory Text

Luke 10:27

KJV 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

CEV 27 The man replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.’ They also say, ‘Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself.’ ”

A H A S
T S L T L T G W A T H
A W A T S
A W A T S
A W A T M
A T N A T

Lesson

You may have heard a Bible verse that says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” (NIV) – Luke 10:27

KJV 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

CEV 27 The man replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.’ They also say, ‘Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself.’ ”

It means we should love God with everything we have. But just saying we love God isn’t enough. We have to show it in our daily lives. Loving God means being committed to Him with all our heart, soul, body, and mind, every single day.

But God also wants us to love others. When we love our neighbors, we’re actually showing our love for God. The apostle John says that if we claim to love God but hate our brother or sister, we’re lying – 1 John 4:20

KJV 20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

CEV 20 But if we say we love God and don't love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we don't love the people we can see?

So, loving our neighbors is crucial. In Galatians it’s written even simpler: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (NKJV) Galatians 5:14

KJV 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

CEV 14 All the Law says can be summed up in the command to love others as much as you love yourself.

This week, we’ll learn how to put this love into action in our lives.

Ellen White Commentary

In the past, people used the Old Testament as their guide. A person once asked Jesus how to get eternal life, and Jesus told him to love God with all his heart and to love his neighbor as himself. This is a simple but important message. It means that we should love God with all our hearts and treat others kindly, just as we want to be treated. Jesus said if we do this, we’ll have eternal life.

Conclusion

Loving God with all our hearts and showing kindness and love to our neighbors is essential for eternal life. Jesus' simple message teaches us how to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Reflection

How can you show love for God in your daily life?

Who are your neighbors, and how can you be kind and helpful to them?

SUNDAY – The Most Important Question

Lesson

A rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked Him a very important question. According to Mark, the young man asked, “What should I do to have eternal life?” – Mark 10:17

KJV 17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

CEV (Matthew 19. 16-30; Luke 18. 18-30) 17 As Jesus was walking down a road, a man ran up to him. He knelt down, and asked, “Good teacher, what can I do to have eternal life?”

This is a big deal because eternal life is about living with God forever. It’s the most important question anyone can ask!

But here’s the twist: this young man didn’t ask out of pure curiosity. According to the Bible, he was a rich young ruler, and he wanted to test Jesus. He was trying to trick Him. Jesus knew this, but He didn’t ignore the young man.

The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians how important eternal life is. Read about it in 1 Corinthians 15:30-32

KJV 30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

CEV 30 And why do we always risk our lives 31 and face death every day? The pride that I have in you because of Christ Jesus our Lord is what makes me say this. 32 What do you think I gained by fighting wild animals in Ephesus? If the dead are not raised to life, “Let's eat and drink. Tomorrow we die.”

Life is short, like a vapor that disappears quickly. So, the question of how to have eternal life is super important.

Just like Jesus, we should take advantage of any opportunity to tell others about God, even if the situation isn’t perfect. How can we be more mindful of sharing our faith with others, even when it’s challenging?

Ellen White Commentary

A person once asked Jesus a very important question: “How can I have eternal life?” Some people were trying to trick Jesus, but He turned the question back to the person, asking what the law said. The person replied with the commandment to love God and love our neighbors. Jesus said that was the right answer, and if we do this, we’ll have eternal life.

Conclusion

When the lawyer asked Jesus the most important question about eternal life, Jesus emphasized the importance of loving God and our neighbors. This shows us that following these two commandments is the key to a life filled with purpose and meaning.

Reflection

Do you love God with all your heart, and how can you deepen this love?

How do you treat your neighbors, and what can you do to show them more love and kindness?

MONDAY – How Jesus Responded

Lesson

When the young ruler asked about eternal life, he was testing Jesus. Sometimes, people might question our faith, too. They might ask difficult questions or even seem like they’re trying to prove us wrong.

The Bible shows that the answers we need are in God’s Word. Read about it in the following passages:

Matthew 26:56

KJV 56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

CEV 56 But all this happened, so that what the prophets wrote would come true.” All Jesus' disciples left him and ran away.

Acts 17:11

KJV 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

CEV 11 The people in Berea were much nicer than those in Thessalonica, and they gladly accepted the message. Day after day they studied the Scriptures to see if these things were true.

1 Corinthians 15:3

KJV 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

CEV 3 I told you the most important part of the message exactly as it was told to me. This part is: Christ died for our sins, as the Scriptures say.

2 Timothy 3:16

KJV 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

CEV 16 Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live.

Jesus told the young ruler to read the Scriptures for himself – Luke 10:26

KJV 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

CEV 26 Jesus answered, “What is written in the Scriptures? How do you understand them?”

Instead of just relying on what others say, we should read the Bible to find answers. The Holy Spirit will help us understand.

God’s Word is like a lamp that guides us in the right direction – Psalm 119:105

KJV 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

CEV 105 Your word is a lamp that gives light wherever I walk.

Jesus, who is the Word of God, always pointed people back to the Bible. This shows how important the Bible is, and why we should trust it.

Ellen White Commentary

Jesus wanted to help people understand the importance of loving God and others. He knew we can’t keep the law on our own. We need Jesus’ help to love God with all our hearts and love our neighbors as ourselves.

Conclusion

Jesus knew that we need His help to truly love God and our neighbors. He wanted to lead the lawyer to the truth that we can only follow the law with Jesus' help and by accepting His grace.

Reflection

How can Jesus help you love God and your neighbors?

Why is it important to rely on Jesus to follow the law?

TUESDAY – Loving God and Our Neighbors

Lesson

When the young ruler asked Jesus how to have eternal life, he answered his own question, saying that we should “Love the Lord your God with all your heart... and love your neighbor as yourself” (NIV) – Luke 10:27

KJV 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

CEV 27 The man replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.’ They also say, ‘Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself.’ ”

Jesus said the man gave the right answer. But He didn’t stop there. He told him to live this out, not just say it. It’s not enough to know what’s right; we have to do it.

James makes the same point. If we say we love God and our neighbors but don’t show it through our actions, our faith is empty – James 2:17-22

KJV 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

CEV 17 Faith that doesn't lead us to do good deeds is all alone and dead! 18 Suppose someone disagrees and says, “It is possible to have faith without doing kind deeds.” I would answer, “Prove that you have faith without doing kind deeds, and I will prove that I have faith by doing them.” 19 You surely believe there is only one God. That's fine. Even demons believe this, and it makes them shake with fear. 20 Does some stupid person want proof that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Well, our ancestor Abraham pleased God by putting his son Isaac on the altar to sacrifice him. 22 Now you see how Abraham's faith and deeds worked together. He proved his faith was real by what he did.

It’s not just about what we believe but how we live our lives.

We can care more for others by being kind, helpful, and considering their needs and feelings, just as Paul advises in Philippians 2:4

KJV 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

CEV 4 Care about them as much as you care about yourselves

Ellen White Commentary

The lawyer who asked Jesus was trying to justify himself. He wanted to know who his neighbor was. Jesus explained that our neighbor is anyone who needs our help. If we love God, we’ll also love our neighbors and help them.

Conclusion

The lawyer was reminded that loving God and our neighbors is the core of the law. We learned that belief in Jesus and His grace enables us to love God and others.

Reflection

How do you feel when you think about loving God and your neighbors?

What does it mean to rely on Jesus for the strength to follow these commandments?

WEDNESDAY – Loving Others as We Love Ourselves

Lesson

Jesus emphasized the importance of loving God and our neighbors – Matthew 22:37-40

KJV 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

CEV 37 Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 38 This is the first and most important commandment. 39 The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” 40 All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.

These two commandments sum up what it means to be a true believer. Luke describes that Jesus made it clear that following these commandments leads to eternal life – Luke 10:27-28

KJV 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

CEV 27 The man replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.’ They also say, ‘Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself.’ ” 28 Jesus said, “You have given the right answer. If you do this, you will have eternal life.”

In the following passages, the Bible shows us that loving God and our neighbors is practical:

Galatians 5:14

KJV 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

CEV 14 All the Law says can be summed up in the command to love others as much as you love yourself.

Micah 6:6-8

KJV 6 Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

CEV 6 What offering should I bring when I bow down to worship the Lord God Most High? Should I try to please him by sacrificing calves a year old? 7 Will thousands of sheep or rivers of olive oil make God satisfied with me? Should I sacrifice to the Lord my first-born child as payment for my terrible sins? 8 The Lord God has told us what is right and what he demands: “See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.”

1 John 4:20-21

KJV 20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

CEV 20 But if we say we love God and don't love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we don't love the people we can see? 21 The commandment that God has given us is: “Love God and love each other!”

It’s not just about what we believe; it’s about how we treat others. Even the apostle Paul said that without love, everything else we do is like empty noise – 1 Corinthians 13:1

KJV 1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

CEV 1 What if I could speak all languages of humans and even of angels? If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

So, loving others is not about working for salvation, but it’s a way to show our faith in Jesus. It’s like living out what we believe in our hearts.

Ellen White Commentary

We should show love and kindness to those who are suffering or in need. Our neighbors are not just our friends or people who are like us. Our neighbors are everyone, and we should treat them with love and kindness, just as we want to be treated.

Conclusion

We're reminded that our neighbors are not just our friends or people who are similar to us. Our neighbors are everyone, and we should treat them with love and kindness, just as we want to be treated.

Reflection

Who are some of the people you consider your neighbors?

How can you show kindness and love to those who might be different from you?

THURSDAY – The Good Samaritan Story Today

Lesson

Jesus told a story about a good Samaritan. Read about it in Luke 10:30-37

KJV 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

CEV 30 Jesus replied: As a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, robbers attacked him and grabbed everything he had. They beat him up and ran off, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road. But when he saw the man, he walked by on the other side. 32 Later a temple helper came to the same place. But when he saw the man who had been beaten up, he also went by on the other side. 33 A man from Samaria then came traveling along that road. When he saw the man, he felt sorry for him 34 and went over to him. He treated his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put him on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next morning he gave the innkeeper two silver coins and said, “Please take care of the man. If you spend more than this on him, I will pay you when I return.” 36 Then Jesus asked, “Which one of these three people was a real neighbor to the man who was beaten up by robbers?” 37 The expert in the Law of Moses answered, “The one who showed pity.” Jesus said, “Go and do the same!”

The Samaritan helped a person who was in trouble, even though they were from different backgrounds. Jesus showed that our neighbor is anyone who needs our help. It’s not just people who look like us or believe the same things.

Sometimes, people from other faiths might help others more than we do. If our faith means anything, we should reach out and help those in need.

Jesus taught us that our neighbor is anyone who needs our help. We shouldn’t let differences or prejudices get in the way of helping others. We should pray for people who are different from us and try to meet their needs.

Ellen White Commentary

Our neighbor is anyone who needs our help, whether they’re suffering or have made mistakes. We should help them and show love and kindness to all people. When we do good deeds and help others, it’s like sharing God’s love with them.

Remember, loving God and loving our neighbors is the most important thing. It’s about showing kindness and love to everyone we meet.

Conclusion

We're encouraged to show love and kindness to anyone who is suffering or in need, and to help those who have made mistakes. Our neighbor is anyone who needs our help, and we can share God's love by doing good deeds and helping others.

Reflection

Can you think of someone who might need your help or kindness today?

How can you be a better representative of God's love in your community?

FRIDAY – Further Thought

Lesson

The Desire of Ages, pages 497-505, talks about the Good Samaritan. There are many people in need in our world today. We might not be able to solve all the world’s problems, but we can still help those around us. We can start by helping someone who doesn’t have enough food or by supporting a member of our church facing difficulties.

Pure religion is about helping the fatherless, widows, and anyone who is suffering. It’s about showing kindness and love to others, just like Jesus did. We should care for the needs of others, not just our own interests.

Discussion Questions

1. How can we make sure that we understand that loving God and others is not about working for salvation? Why is it important to know that our actions are a result of our faith in Jesus, not a way to earn salvation?

Reveal Suggested Answer

2. How can we recognize and overcome any prejudices we might have towards people who are different from us? What can we do to show kindness and love to everyone, regardless of their background?

Reveal Suggested Answer

3. Apart from the Bible verses mentioned in this lesson, can you find other passages that emphasize the importance of showing kindness and love to others?

Reveal Suggested Answer

Conclusion

This week's lesson has emphasized the importance of loving God and our neighbors, following the core principles of the law. It is through love, kindness, and acts of compassion that we truly reflect the character of Christ and fulfill the law.

Reflection

How has this week's lesson influenced your understanding of loving God and your neighbors?

What specific actions can you take to practice these principles in your daily life?

Are there any challenges you anticipate in applying these teachings, and how can you overcome them?

INSIDE STORY

Mission Path to Spain: Part 1
By Andrew McChesney

Luis had just become a theology student, studying to become a pastor, when he fell seriously ill in Venezuela. He thought it was the flu, but his condition worsened, and he had trouble breathing. Doctors suspected that allergies to orange tree pollen might be the cause and gave him injections, but his condition didn’t improve. They even suggested he leave school and return home. However, Luis was determined to stay and continued undergoing tests.

Then came the shocking news: Luis was infected with HIV, a virus that many people in Venezuela feared at the time. Some thought you could catch it just by touching someone. The seminary asked him to leave, and Luis had no choice but to return home. His medical checkups repeatedly confirmed his HIV-positive status, leaving him in deep despair. He wondered why this had happened, as he had given his heart to God and was pursuing a life of service as a pastor.

One day, a church elder noticed Luis’ sadness and told him that true joy could only come from a personal encounter with Jesus. These words struck a chord with Luis. He went to his room, knelt down, and prayed earnestly to God for forgiveness, acknowledging his past mistakes. He didn’t ask for healing but only to preach and serve God for the rest of his days. In that moment, something extraordinary happened. Luis felt a warm sensation in his heart, which then spread throughout his entire body, and he blacked out.

When Luis underwent HIV testing again, the results were negative, which surprised him. He asked for more tests, but the results remained negative. The doctor advised him that further tests were unnecessary. Luis had experienced a miraculous healing and decided to dedicate his life to preaching and bringing people to Jesus. He got married, completed his theology studies, and has been sharing the gospel as a missionary in Spain with his family ever since.

LESSON SUMMARY

Mission to My Neighbour

This week’s lesson reminds us that the most important things in life are to love God with all our heart and to love our neighbors as ourselves. It’s not just about saying we love God and others, but showing it through our actions and kindness. We should be ready to share God’s love with everyone, regardless of their background, and remember that our faith in Jesus is what drives us to help others. This means caring for the needs of those who are suffering, just as Jesus did. So, let’s strive to love God and our neighbors with our whole hearts and live out our faith through loving actions, just like the Good Samaritan.

SATURDAY – Introduction: This introduction sets the stage by highlighting the importance of the Old Testament Scriptures as a guide for Israel and the central question posed to Jesus about inheriting eternal life. It introduces the idea that loving God and your neighbor is at the core of understanding God’s law.

SUNDAY – The Most Important Question: This lesson explores the significant question asked by the lawyer and how Jesus put the responsibility back on him to answer, emphasizing that obedience to God’s commandments is the path to eternal life.

MONDAY – How Jesus Responded: The focus is on how Jesus responds to the lawyer’s question and the importance of seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the virtues of Christ to understand and live by God’s truth.

TUESDAY – Loving God and Our Neighbors: This lesson examines the lawyer’s answer to his own question, emphasizing that loving God and one’s neighbor are at the heart of God’s law. It also highlights the need for divine grace to fulfill the law.

WEDNESDAY – Loving Others as We Love Ourselves: The lesson underscores the importance of loving and caring for others, extending kindness and compassion to those in need. It emphasizes that all of humanity is our neighbor, and love is the fulfilling of God’s law.

THURSDAY – The Good Samaritan Story Today: The lesson draws parallels between the story of the Good Samaritan and our role in helping those in need and exemplifying Christ’s love. It underscores the importance of living out our faith with genuine acts of love and service.

FRIDAY – Further Thought: The conclusion reminds us of the central theme of loving God and our neighbors and how this reflects the character of Christ. Reflection questions encourage us to consider how these teachings can be applied in our lives.