I had a fun activity planned for my 7th and 8th grade students last night. We were talking about the 8th commandment, which says we aren't to "bear false witness against your neighbor." Part of the definition of that commandment from our Small Catechism describes the keeping of this commandment as defending our neighbor, speaking well of him, and explaining everything in the kindest way.
So I had the kids list out a number of behaviors that annoyed them. As you can imagine, from a group of 7th and 8th grade students, this wasn't very difficult to do. Then, I had them act out some of these behaviors. They would cut off others when others were speaking if the annoying behavior of interrupting others was the one we were focusing on. They would do whatever they could to be annoying if we were talking about being annoying.
After each of these exercises, I then gave a new assignment. They had to explain that kind of behavior in a way that would defend that person, that would paint that person in a good light, and would be explained in the kindest way possible. Now, remember, 7th and 8th grade students can be extremely creative. However, when it came to looking at behaviors such as these through a different kind of lens, it became much more difficult.
I would suggest that they aren't the only ones who have that difficulty. Right now, think of some behaviors that have annoyed you already today. Now, think about how you are going to defend that person, speak well of them, and explain what they were doing in the kindest way. It's not easy, is it? In fact, in a few instances, we might not even be able to think of a way to do this.
Two quick thoughts. First, we can actually do this and still address sin issues at hand in the behavior. Explaining in the kindest way is not intended to be the same as excusing sinful behavior. In fact, the sinful behavior should be dealt with, but with kindness and gentleness, as well as firmness. Doing that more often seems to be an art rather than a science.
Second, what this points out to us is that God would have us think graciously of others in all situations, at all times. But that is absolutely foreign to our sinful nature. We want to exalt ourselves over them, not be kind and gracious to them. And yet, it's very rare that our self-exaltation will ever serve to love them as we love ourselves. And just in case you forgot, Jesus connects that commandment very closely to the one where we are to love our God with heart, soul, mind, and strength.
As God brings your new life anew today through your baptism, how will that new life look and think graciously of others, even and especially if you find them annoying?
So I had the kids list out a number of behaviors that annoyed them. As you can imagine, from a group of 7th and 8th grade students, this wasn't very difficult to do. Then, I had them act out some of these behaviors. They would cut off others when others were speaking if the annoying behavior of interrupting others was the one we were focusing on. They would do whatever they could to be annoying if we were talking about being annoying.
After each of these exercises, I then gave a new assignment. They had to explain that kind of behavior in a way that would defend that person, that would paint that person in a good light, and would be explained in the kindest way possible. Now, remember, 7th and 8th grade students can be extremely creative. However, when it came to looking at behaviors such as these through a different kind of lens, it became much more difficult.
I would suggest that they aren't the only ones who have that difficulty. Right now, think of some behaviors that have annoyed you already today. Now, think about how you are going to defend that person, speak well of them, and explain what they were doing in the kindest way. It's not easy, is it? In fact, in a few instances, we might not even be able to think of a way to do this.
Two quick thoughts. First, we can actually do this and still address sin issues at hand in the behavior. Explaining in the kindest way is not intended to be the same as excusing sinful behavior. In fact, the sinful behavior should be dealt with, but with kindness and gentleness, as well as firmness. Doing that more often seems to be an art rather than a science.
Second, what this points out to us is that God would have us think graciously of others in all situations, at all times. But that is absolutely foreign to our sinful nature. We want to exalt ourselves over them, not be kind and gracious to them. And yet, it's very rare that our self-exaltation will ever serve to love them as we love ourselves. And just in case you forgot, Jesus connects that commandment very closely to the one where we are to love our God with heart, soul, mind, and strength.
As God brings your new life anew today through your baptism, how will that new life look and think graciously of others, even and especially if you find them annoying?
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