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Chapter Four
Christians are naturally part of a larger community. We belong to our families and have relationships to our extended family networks. Likewise, we are part of a larger community beyond our family networks. We have connections with neighbours with whom we have grown up with. In crowded urban settings, neighbours may sometimes be so close that they may be in and out of one another’s homes.
We also spend a major part of our day studying or working. These places are part of our natural spheres of influence. Further, we also have friends with whom we socialize with closely. They may not necessarily come from our neighbourhoods nor are our classmates or colleagues. All these groups are part of us and as Christians we can have an influence on them.
Your Neighbours
What is God’s command concerning our neighbours? (Luke 10:27)
How else should we relate to our neighbours? (Proverbs 3:27-30)
From the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), what applications can you draw out on how to be a good neighbour?
When you see a stranger in need of help?
What did the Samaritan do which showed he was an outstanding ‘neighbour’?
To what extent will you help a person in dire need? Will you go as far as the Samaritan?
In Luke 10:36, Jesus talked about being a ‘neighbour to the man’. How is this different from asking ‘who is my neighbour’?
At Your Workplace
How should we relate to our superiors at the workplace?
Colossians 3:22-25
Ephesians 6:5-7
How should we work?
Colossians 3:17
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Daniel was a man of excellence as a high official. What was outstanding about him and his work in Daniel 6:3-5?
It is common to compare ourselves with others. What does the Word of God say about this practice?
Galatians 6:4-5
James 3:16
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Whether we are doing office work or run a business enterprise, what values should we hold to? (Proverbs 11:1)
In addition to honesty, what character quality does God require in life and work? (Proverbs 11:3)
Relating with Authorities
All authority comes from God. He has ordained five authority structures. Civil authority (citizens — government), which we will study here, is one of them. The others are: Family (parent — children; wife — husband); Church (church members — church leaders); Employers (employers — employees); and God (creation — God).
The example of Jesus in Matthew 22:15-22: Jesus recognised the right of secular authorities (Caesar) to collect taxes while recognising His duty to God as King (verse 21). True or False?
How should Christians relate to civil authorities? (Romans 13:1-7)
Who must submit and why? (Romans 13:1,5)
What if we rebel against the civil authority? (Romans 13:2)
What is the duty of civil authorities? (Romans 13:4)
What role title do they have? (Romans 13:4,6)
What civic duties do Christians have? (Romans 13:6-7)
The Apostle Peter also wrote on the same subject. In 1 Peter 2:14-17:
In addition to punishing wrongdoers, what are governors to do? (1 Peter 2:14)
What were the various attitudes Peter asks Christians to have? (1 Peter 2:13,17)
Submission may imply limitations and servitude to some people. In contrast to that view, what does Peter encourage Christians to do? (1 Peter 2:16)
NOTE These commands are based on an ideal situation where rulers are good, fulfilling their duties responsibly and fairly as agents of God. But in real life, sometimes rulers can be cruel and unjust. What can God’s people do when there is conflict of submission and the prospect of compromise of faith?
In Acts 4:18-20, what was the Apostles’ fairly diplomatic response to the prohibition to speak about Jesus?
When the situation escalated, what was the Apostles’ response in the crisis? (Acts 5:29)
What did Daniel and his three friends propose to their supervisor to avoid defiling themselves? (Read Daniel 1:1-10 for background; answer from Daniel 1:11-14)
What was the eventual outcome? (Daniel 1:15-20)
NOTE Daniel and his three friends demonstrated a way of resolving conflict with authorities. Sometimes the way forward is to look for ‘creative alternatives’ which fulfil the interests of all parties involved. No one needs to compromise anything.
But when commanded to bow down to an idol of the king, compromise was not possible for Daniel and his three friends. (Read Daniel 3:8-15 for background.) What was their response to King Nebuchadnezzar’s ultimatum? (Daniel 3:16-18)
What was the miraculous outcome? (Daniel 3:19-30)
In conclusion, when the situation is extreme, we must be prepared to make a stand for God like Daniel and the Apostles did, even if there may be no miraculous deliverance from death.
Relating to the Lost World
By ‘lost’ we mean those who have yet to believe or those who do not know God.
What did Jesus teach the disciples about the kind of influence they could have on the world at large?
In Matthew 5:13, what was the imagery used?
What implications does this imagery convey about the influence we should have?
In Matthew 5:14, what other imagery did Jesus use?
What function(s) does light have (in the moral/ethical sense)?
What concrete example did Jesus cite as a representative of ‘light’? (Matthew 5:16)
In Ephesians 2:9, we know that we were saved by grace, not by good works. But once we are saved, what should we be prepared to do? (Ephesians 2:10)
What is a crucial character quality to have if we were to emulate God’s attitude to the world? (John 3:16)
Application
Review your answers in this chapter. What challenged you and gave you encouragement in relating to the larger community you are currently a part of? Are there changes in attitude you need to make or corrective actions you need to take?
Write your reflections and any changes or corrective actions.