Sensitivity

Bright Lights Set 3 Meeting 2 - Sensitivity

Definitions:

- Awareness of the needs and emotions of others

- Awareness of and responsive to the feelings of others

Scripture:

Philippians 2: 1-4

“If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interest of others.”

1 Peter 5: 5-7

“You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.”

Mark 10: 42 - 45

“And calling them to Himself, Jesus said to the, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and that their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Galatians 6: 1 - 2

“Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.”

　
Testimonies

Making it relevant

1.) Read pgs. 174 - 176 from Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends

2.) Look at the various levels of cliques that occur within groups:

- the rebellious attract the rebellious and form cliques

- the spiritually weak attract others who are weak and can become a clique

- the spiritually strong attract others who are strong and sometimes, at least, appear to form cliques

But the strongest of all are those who are able to see the needs of the people in all the groups and try to befriend and encourage whoever needs it most. Instead of trying to get their own needs met by friends, they are focusing on others.

3.) Discussion:

Why is it hard to show sensitivity?

Why does it seem harder to show sensitivity at home than with friends?

What are some of the consequences of a lack of sensitivity?

What keeps us from being sensitive?

Main Concepts

1. If you can learn to be focused on others rather than yourself, you have reached a point of true Christian maturity. Few are able to unselfishly give to the needs of others - but those who do are truly following in the footsteps of Jesus.

2. Sensitivity is especially important in your own families and can make a TREMENDOUS difference in relationships with brothers and sisters.

"Bright Lights" Swiss Chard!! :)

Activities and Tea

Contentment

This past weekend we began Set 3 materials where the focus will be on "How to Reflect Christ in Every Response"...no small order to be sure!  Our first topic was Contentment:

Bright Lights Set 3 Meeting 1 - Contentment

Definitions:

-adj

1. Mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are

2. Assenting to or willing to accept circumstances, a proposed course of action, etc.

-noun

Peace of mind, ease of mind, comfort, happiness

-inter

(Brit) (in the House of Lords) a formal expression of assent, as opposed to the expression ‘not content’

From Old French, from Latin contentus contented, that is, having restrained desires, from continere to restrain

Synonyms: complacent, ease, fulfillment, gladness, gratification, peace, pleasure, serenity, satisfaction

Antonyms: discomfort, discontent, displeasure, dissatisfaction, misery, sadness, unhappiness

Scripture References:1 Timothy 6:6-10
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Philippians 4:11-12I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
John 3:27To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.
Matthew 6:24-3
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Do Not Worry
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Main Concepts:

- Our own wants, desires, and love for temporal things will prevent us from living a godly life and will cause our light to become dim.

- The Lord sees the whole picture of our lives and will provide according to His timing what He knows is best. Those who are willing to trust Him by faith will experience the secret of contentment in their lives…godliness with contentment is great gain.

Activities:

Make a list of the areas of life with which people are often discontent (possessions, looks, reputation, friends, circumstances).

What is one trial you are grateful for…and why?

Think of one area of suffering (or anything difficult being grateful for) in your life. Write at least 10 reasons why God may have allowed this particular “problem” to happen.

Divide into groups…come up with a 1 minute commercial advertising some unnecessary or silly item. Give the audience the impression that they need this item in order to be happy. How does the enemy use the same tactics to “advertise” his products to us?