Trail Life Troop
NC-613
Devotional – The Golden Rule
Opening
- Today, we learned what it means to be a godly citizen, now let’s see what the bible says about that.
- Read, or someone read the Teaching verse. FYI: The memory verse is further down
Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Devotional
Big picture As Godly citizens, we need to treat others with the love with which we want to be treated.
- Q: Does anyone know who spoke the teaching verse? (Jesus on the mountainside spoke to his disciples)
- Q: Does anyone know what the teaching verse is also known as? (The Golden Rule)
- Q: Does anyone know why it is called that, the “Golden Rule?” (Because we are to treasure it, like gold)
- If you remember this one verse and daily do what it says, above anything else you do, it will show you love God by how you love others.
- This one verse includes almost everything Jesus was trying to teach people. Another way to say this verse is: “I need to treat people the way I want to be treated.” And if you do that, for everyone you meet, you will be a great Christian and a Godly Citizen of this world!
- Since this verse is so valuable to us (like gold), let's spend a moment explaining it in more detail.
- The first part says “So in everything...” That’s clear. This verse applies to ALL we do. Daily!
- But the word “So” is important. It means because of everything Jesus just taught His disciples in a very important Sermon called the “Beatitudes”, we are to take His teaching and now apply it to our life.
- Our life application is acting out the Golden Rule. Jesus just taught some hugely important stuff, and then summarized His teaching in this one verse: do to others...
- Next part says, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Q: Does anyone want to be treated poorly? No! We want to be treated nicely. Jesus says, keep that in mind in all you do.
- Last part, “for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” means loving people is an idea the entire Bible is trying to teach us. In the Bible, everything prior to Jesus’ arrival can explain this one verse.
- So, to be a Godly citizen means to love others how I want to be loved. Pretty simple, but hard to do.
Memory Verse #3
Ask if anybody knows it yet and can say it? Read it together 2X Consider having a memory verse pamphlet for kids take home.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Topical Questions
-
In the memory verse, what promise from God is Peter talking about?
the promise of Jesus’ return -
Why is treating others the way I want to be treated so hard?
Because we want our way -
Does anyone have a recent example how you treated others the way you want to be treated?
-
Why is following the Golden Rule a great example of Godly Citizenship?
It’s being a good neighbor
Closing Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die to pay for our sins. You are so good to us! You showed us how to live out the Golden Rule. You even went beyond the Golden Rule by sacrificially giving us something we can never repay: Our salvation. And, You got nothing in return and we got everything: Eternal life in heaven! We thank you, Lord. We love you, Lord. We give you praise in Jesus' name. Amen!
