THINK TOGETHER.
Have you ever been able to avoid an argument or a fight?
READ TOGETHER
Proverbs 20:3. It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.
Solomon is counseling his children to keep aloof from strife (stay away from it, avoid it) and to avoid quarreling (arguing). If you’ve ever watched a toddler or a young child, then you know that we are born with self-centeredness. The younger you are, the more you think the world revolves around you. Toddlers don’t avoid strife. They never just smile and walk away from conflict. They cry, and hit, and snatch their toys back. Even some adults still act this way don’t they?
You are growing up in a world that teaches you to quarrel. To stand up for your rights. To defend yourself. To get what is yours. To protest everything. To get even rather than forgive. But Jesus taught us something different. He taught us to turn the other cheek. In Jesus’ day if you wanted to insult someone you would slap them on the cheek. But if you wanted to show honor and respect for someone you would kiss them on the cheek. Jesus told his disciples that if someone slapped them on the cheek (a sign that they wanted to quarrel), they shouldn’t slap them back. Rather, Jesus said, turn to them the other cheek, the kiss cheek. Give them another chance to kiss you in honor instead of slapping you in dishonor.
What if when someone takes what is yours, instead of snatching it back, you gave them a chance to give it back? What if, when someone says something mean to you, instead of saying something mean back, you gave them a chance to apologize and say something nice instead. What else can you do to avoid strife?
None of this is easy, but with Jesus as your defender you don’t have to defend yourself. Instead you can forgive like he forgave you and gave you another chance.
Because of Jesus we are defended by his power and love forever.
With Jesus we can give others a second chance without quarreling.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Practice some real-life scenarios where you might turn the other cheek. Remember, it’s not about letting someone get away with bad behavior, it’s about giving them another chance to do the right thing.
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, you are my defender. Help me to give others another chance instead of being quick to quarrel and fight. Amen.
TLICfamily 