R-E-S-P-E-C-T
INTRODUCTION
A. SONG: Play a rendition of R-E-S-P-E-C-T by Aretha Franklin. Encourage the crowd to sing along.
B. WHAT DOES GOD THINK ABOUT “RESPECT?”
1. It’s obvious when people show others respect…and it’s obvious when they don’t. No one likes to be disrespected because it’s hurtful.
2. Although everyone wants to be respected, the Bible points out specific people who GOD THINKS we ought to respect. Let’s take a look:
I. WHO DOES THE BIBLE SAY WE SHOULD RESPECT?
1. Leviticus 19:3, NIV, “Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.” ASK: In this passage, who does the Bible say we are to respect? Why? (they brought us into the world and cared for us)
2. “Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:32, NIV. ASK, “In this passage, who does the Bible say we should respect?” (Because older people are wiser and have earned, by virtue of enduring hardships in life, our respect)
3. “Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work” 1 Thess. 5:12-13, NIV. ASK: “Who does this passage say we should respect?” (Church leaders, because God has raised them up to point us and others to the way of salvation)
4. “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king” 1 Peter 2:17, NIV. ASK: And who does this passage say we should respect? (Governmental leaders should be honored for their office’s sake, so that we have a stable country)
II. RESPECT & DISRESPECT
A. DEFINE RESPECT “Respect” means:
1. Respect is a way of treating or thinking about someone. If you respect your teacher, you admire her and treat her well.
2. You give honor to someone because of their position or achievements.
B. HOW WE SHOW DISRESPECT
Q - What are some ways we show disrespect to others?
a. To talk back to someone; arguing with them.
b. To interrupt them when they’re speaking;
c. To Turning your back, not looking at;
d. Rolling eyes, body language to show dislike;
e. Not obeying, being unresponsive, just sitting there, not answering when spoken to, ignoring them.
C. RESPECT IS A BASIC SOCIAL SKILL
1. It’s very important for young people to learn basic manners like saying “please” and “thank you.” When a child deals with her teachers in school or gets her first job, these skills will help ensure their success.
2. Understand that using manners—just a simple “excuse me” or “thank you”—is also a form of empathy. Youth need to realize that when they respect others they are making a positive impact on other people’s lives.
D. RESPECT IS REALLY ABOUT THE GOLDEN RULE:
1. “Treat others like you’d like to be treated.”
2. Q – “Do you want others to treat you like you don’t matter? Do you like others to put you down? How does it make you feel when others treat you that way?
3. That’s just how it makes parents or leaders feel when you disrespect them. So let’s treat others like we’d like to be treated!
CONCLUSION QUESTIONS:
1. It sounds like the Bible has a lot to say about respect. Who do you have the most trouble respecting?
2. “Respect has to be earned.” Do you agree or disagree and why?
3. Do you think it’s OK to disrespect Christians just because they’re Christians? Yes, some Christians are persecuted for their faith, but that doesn’t make it right.
4. Did you know the Bible had so much to say about such a simple topic as respect? Because giving respect is important.
5. TWO FINAL QUESTIONS:
a. The person I know I need to show more respect for is…
b. It would please God and make me closer to Him if I showed respect for Him in the area of…
6. Close in Prayer.
