Our Family Time with God

Nov. 5, 2009

I'LL BE YOUR FRIEND

Scripture Reading--Romans 12:10

" Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love:

in honour preferring one another."

Sunday school isn't usually where we expect to take a test. Yet every Sunday school class takes a test whenever a visitor enters the classroom. How do you think your class would do?

1. Into the junior department walks a new walks a new "bus kid." He's wearing shoes with no laces and a coat with no zipper. He still has jelly on his face from the piece of toast he ate for

breakfast.

2. Into the teen department strolls a 17-year-old guy who is 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs 270

pounds. He wears braces and stutters when he talks.

3. Into the adult department wanders an old man with a backpack. He hasn't shaved or had his

hair cut for a long time, and he smells like he hasn't been in a bathtub for a while either.

When most of us arrive at our Sunday school class, we find a seat with someone we know or like. It's easy to be friendly with someone who's friendly to us. But who will be friendly to those "new and not-very-nice guys"? Will anyone offer them a seat? Will someone talk to them? Will anyone give them a Bible to use? This is a tough test!

In our Scripture reading, Paul says kindness and love are two ways to make others feel special. When we "prefer" someone in "honour," we tell him that he is important and that we care about him. If anyone should treat others with kindness, it should be the Christian. After all, we were "not-very-nice guys" when Jesus reached out to us in love and gave His life to let us know how important we were to Him. Those who visit your Sunday school class and feel special will come back again--and they just might stay.

ACTION POINT: This Sunday, find someone in your Sunday school class who usually sits alone. Be that person's friend.

--Tom Palmer--