Today’s passage is from 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not rude. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
For today’s lesson, we will focus on verse 4 and, in particular, the idea that love is not rude.
First, a little background. Paul, the author of Corinthians, started several churches throughout the region including the one in the Greek city of Corinth. Scholars estimate the size of the church at around 40-150 people. They came from broad socio-economic backgrounds and included both men and women. We also know from Paul’s writing that there was great strife and division among the church in Corinth.
Paul’s goal in working with all of the early churches was to help them grow and thrive. A church with significant infighting was at risk of failing and potentially harming the overall growth of churches in other cities. So we know that Paul’s letters were, in part, a guide for growing a church. This included what to do as well as what to avoid – for example DO be patient and kind to one another but DON’T boast or be rude.
These principles apply today just as much as they did two thousand years ago. Few of us would consider ourselves to be rude but most struggle, to some degree, with one or more of the following:
– Waiting for someone to stop talking so we can speak instead of genuinely listening and responding to what others have to say
– Being routinely late to appointments
– Interrupting when others are talking
– Checking email or social media during meetings or at lunch with others
– Dominating a conversation when others would like to speak
God inspired Paul to write these words because He wants the best for us and for every one of His children. He knows that interactions that are free from rudeness will help us to better focus on His will for us and to excel at loving others.
Questions:
- Based on today’s lesson, why do you think Paul instructed the church in Corinth to avoid rudeness?
- We all have been rude at some point. If you are comfortable sharing, what is a type of rudeness that you would like to work on minimizing in your life?
- It almost feels at times that Rudeness is accepted in today’s society. Do you feel that it easier to be rude in today’s world with social media, text, email?
- How can reducing rudeness enhance the effectiveness of ministry efforts, family relationships, business dealings, friendships, etc.?
- Do you believe that we are held to the same high standard of living by Paul’s instruction to the early church? If so, why?
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