Meeting guide · command 27

The Golden Rule

Act toward others with the same thoughtful care you would hope to receive from them.

Read

Read the complete passage aloud.

Primary passage

Matthew 7:12

12 Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

World English Bible

Jesus summarizes the Law and the Prophets with a positive command requiring initiative, imagination, and action.

Discuss

Listen carefully to what Jesus says.

  1. What does Jesus command?
  2. What does this passage reveal about Him?
  3. Where do we resist this command?
  4. What is difficult or unclear?
  5. How does actively doing good demand more than simply avoiding behavior we would dislike?

Practice

Choose one specific act of obedience.

Choose one person and ask what treatment you would value in their situation. Offer that practical consideration without waiting to be asked.

Return

Come back and discuss what happened.

What good did you initiate, and what did you learn by considering the situation from the other person’s perspective?

Close together

Pray. Then prepare to teach.

Pray

Jesus, enlarge our imagination and love. Help us recognize what others need and take initiative for their good.

Teach

Teach the command as active neighbor-love, applied with attention to the other person rather than assuming everyone wants identical treatment.