What character traits will others see in us when we are true Christians? How will we relate to those who mistreat us and persecute us? How shall we share our faith with others? What kind of friends will we choose to associate with? We will look at what the Bible has to say on these and other important questions relating to association with others.

A. Traits of Good Character

1) What fruits of the Spirit will be evident in the true Christian’s life?

“But the __________ of the Spirit is ________, ______, __________, ___________________________, ____________________, ________________, __________, ________________, ____________________: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

2) Look each of the above “fruits” up in the dictionary and write a definition of each below:

Love ___________________________________________________________________

Joy ____________________________________________________________________

Peace __________________________________________________________________

Longsuffering ____________________________________________________________

Gentleness ______________________________________________________________

Goodness _______________________________________________________________

Faith ___________________________________________________________________

Meekness _______________________________________________________________

Temperance _____________________________________________________________

3) What are the characteristics of true godly love, or charity?

“Charity ____________________________, [and] is ________; charity ______________ ______; charity ________________________ itself, is ___________________________, Doth not behave itself ________________, ____________________________________, is ______________________________________, ______________________________; Rejoiceth not ______________________, but ___________________ in the _________; ____________________________________, __________________ all things, ____________ all things, _________________ all things. Charity ____________ ______________:” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“A friend loveth at _________________, and a brother is born for _________________.” Proverbs 17:17

4) What three keys for good communication does James give us?

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be __________________________, __________________________, __________________________:” James 1:19

5) How shall we relate to those who are suffering? _______________________________

________________________________________________________________________

“______________ with them that do rejoice, and ________ with them that weep.” Romans 12:15

“Blessed [be] God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the ____________________________________; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be ______________________________ them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are _____________________________

______.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

6) How shall we relate to those who have fallen into sin and are wanting to come back to God, or to those who have injured us in some way? ______________________________

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“And ____________________ our debts, __________________________ our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen…. But if ye ______________________ men their trespasses, ______________ will your Father ________________________ ____________________.” Matthew 6:12, 13, 15

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, ______________ such an one in the spirit of ________________; ____________________________________, lest thou also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1

“And be ye ________ one to another, __________________________, __________________ one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

7) What kind of counsel will a good friend give? _______________________________

“________________ [are] the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy [are] deceitful…. Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so [doth] the sweetness of a man's friend by ____________________________…. Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man ____________________ the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:6, 9, 17

8) How important is it that we speak right words? _______________________________

“Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited [me] in the night; thou hast tried me, [and] shalt find nothing; I am ________________ [that] my __________ shall ____________________________.” Psalms 17:3

“I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I ______________ with my ____________: I will __________________________ with a ____________, while the wicked is before me.” Psalms 39:1

“If any man among you seem to be religious, and ________________________ his ____________, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion [is] ________.”

James 1:26

“If any man ____________________ in ________, the same [is] a ______________ man, [and] able also to bridle the ____________________.” James 3:2

9) What are two other important character traits?

Cheerfulness - “A ______________________ doeth good [like] a ________________: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

Humility - “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the __________, but giveth grace unto the ____________.” James 4:6

10) What kinds of friends should we choose? ___________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

“We may learn a lesson from the lily, and although surrounded with influences that would tend to corrupt the morals and bring ruin upon the soul, we may refuse to be corrupted, and place ourselves where evil association shall not corrupt our hearts. Individually the youth (this applies to anyone) should seek for association with those who are toiling upward with unfaltering steps. They should shun the society of those who are absorbing every evil influence, who are inactive and without earnest desire for attainment of a high standard of character, who cannot be relied upon as persons who will be true to principle. Let the youth be found in association with those who fear and love God;” MYP 423

The same traits given in questions #1-9 which we should seek to develop in our own lives, are also the traits we should look for in choosing friends.

B. Traits of Bad Character

11) What kind of person should we not choose for a friend? _______________________

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“Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ______________, nor standeth in the way of ______________, nor sitteth in the seat of the ________________. But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalms 1:1-2

“Make no friendship with an __________________; and with a ______________ man thou shalt not go: Lest thou ____________________________, and get a snare to thy soul.” Proverbs 22:24-25

12) What kind of words are not acceptable for a Christian (or his friends) to use?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Foolish talking, jesting, idle words -

“Neither ____________________, nor ______________________________, nor ______________, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” Ephesians 5:4

“But I say unto you, That every __________________ that men shall speak, they shall give ______________ thereof in the day of ________________.” Matthew 12:36

Evil words and guile -

“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him ______________ his tongue from ________, and his lips that they speak no __________:” 1 Peter 3:10

“________ thy tongue from ________, and thy lips from speaking __________.” Psalms 34:13

“And in their __________ was found ________________: for they are __________________________ before the throne of God.” Revelation 14:5

Corrupt communication -

“Let no __________________________________________ proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29

Gossip -

“Whoso ______________ his __________ and his ____________ keepeth his soul from troubles.” Proverbs 21:23

“A ____________________ revealeth secrets: but he that is of a ________________ spirit ___________________ the matter.” Proverbs 11:13

“He that goeth about [as] a talebearer __________________________________: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.” Proverbs 20:19

“The words of a talebearer [are] as ____________, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” Proverbs 18:8

Bad language - (This includes even socially accepted swear words such “gee” or “gosh” which are derived from God’s name.)

“But I say unto you, ________________________________; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, ______, yea; ______, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Matthew 5:34-37

How many friendships in the world today are characterized by foolish talking, joking, evil talking, and gossip. If we would commit by the grace of God to never speak another such word again, how much better an influence for good we might have on our friends.

13) What seven things does the Lord hate?

“These six [things] doth the LORD ________: yea, __________ [are] an ______________________ unto him: A ____________________, a _______________

____________, and hands that ______________________________________, An heart that deviseth __________________________________, feet that be swift in running to ________________, A __________________________ [that] speaketh ________, and he that ____________________________ among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19

14) How strong an influence for evil can bad companions exert? ____________________

“Be not ________________: ________ communications ______________ ________ manners.” 1 Corinthians 15:33

“Everyone will find companions or make them. And just in proportion to the strength of the friendship, will be the amount of influence which friends will exert over one another for good or for evil. All will have associates, and will influence and be influenced in their turn. The link is a mysterious one which binds human hearts together, so that the feelings, tastes, and principles of two individuals are closely blended. One catches the spirit, and copies the ways and acts, of the other. As wax retains the figure of the seal, so the mind retains the impression produced by intercourse and association. The influence may be unconscious, yet it is no less powerful.” 4T 587

“You may see no real danger in taking the first step in frivolity and pleasure seeking, and think that when you desire to change your course you will be able to do right as easily as before you yielded yourselves to do wrong. But this is a mistake. By the choice of evil companions many have been led step by step from the path of virtue into depths of disobedience and dissipation to which at one time they would have thought it impossible for them to sink.” CT 224

“Few realize the importance of shunning, so far as possible, all associations unfriendly to religious life. In choosing their surroundings, few make their spiritual prosperity the first consideration.” 5T 232

“God's people cannot with safety enter into intimate associations with those who know the truth, but do not practice it.” MYP 390

C. Hospitality

15) What are we to be “given to”? ___________________________

“[Be] kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;… Distributing to the necessity of saints; ______________________________ ______________________.” Romans 12:10, 13

“Use ______________________ one to another without grudging.” 1 Peter 4:9

16) How are we to treat those in need? ________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

“For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt ________ thy __________________ as ______________.” Romans 13:9

“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an ________________, and ye gave me meat: I was ______________, and ye gave me drink: I was a ________________, and ye took me in: __________, and ye clothed me: I was ________, and ye visited me: I was __________________, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the __________________________________

_________________, ye have ______________________________.” Matthew 25:34-40

“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the Lord] of glory, with ____________________________________. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then ______________ in yourselves, and are become ____________ of evil thoughts?… But if ye have respect to persons, ye ____________ ______, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” James 2:1-4, 9

It is well to always use wisdom and caution; and while we reach out to those in need, we will take the needed precautions to protect our family from evil people who would do them harm, physically or through their influence. Also, we will seek to give aid to those who are in genuine need, while avoiding, wherever possible, providing funds to those who, under pretense of some nobler object, wish to squander them on drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, or other vices. While bearing these things in mind, it should still be our aim to assist all in coming to know the Lord, in using their resources more wisely, and in leading a nobler life.

17) What reward is promised to those who are hospitable and care for those in need?

“He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold [water] only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall _______ ______________________________________________.” Matthew 10:41-42

“I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is __________________________ ______________ than ____________________.” Acts 20:35

18) When we entertain strangers, who might we unknowingly entertain? _____________

“Be not forgetful to entertain __________________: for thereby some have entertained ______________________________.” Hebrews 13:2

D. Sharing our Faith

19) To what work are we called? _____________________________________________

“Go ye therefore, and __________________________________, __________________ them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ________________ them to ____________________________________ whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19-20

“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is ______: the __________ cometh, when ____________ can _________.” John 9:4

“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to _____________________________. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and [then] cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are ________________________________________________.” John 4:34-35

“Ye [are] my __________________, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have ____________:” Isaiah 43:10

“And this ____________ of the kingdom shall be ________________ in all the world for a ______________ unto all nations; and then shall the ________________.”

Matthew 24:14

We have a great and holy faith, handed down to us from generation to generation since the days of Christ and the apostles. Many of our spiritual forefathers suffered under terrible persecutions and many even gave their lives for the faith they held so dear. Today, life seems so easy compared to that, and it is a temptation to let our faith “take the back burners” and to become absorbed in the cares of this life, but we must “earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints”, remembering what it has cost so many. We will also share the faith that is so dear to us with those around us, beginning in our own homes, then reaching out to our community and beyond. We will have a great burden for lost souls, that they might come to know Jesus and His truth as we have been blessed to.

20) Whose power do we need to be able to witness to others? ______________________

“But ye shall receive __________, after that the ____________________ is come upon you: and ye shall be __________________ unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

21) How are we to witness to others? _________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

“Ye are the __________ of the __________. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so ________________________

________, that they may ______________________________________, and ______________________________________ which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

“But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should ____________________ the praises of ______ who hath ____________ ______ out of ________________ into his ________________________________:”

1 Peter 2:9

If we are to be a true witness for Christ, our life and actions must be consistent with our profession. We will show by our good works, by our holy and peculiar life separated from the world and its ways, that we are working with Christ, and that ours is a faith worth having.

“The mere profession of religion abounds, but it has little weight. We may claim to be followers of Christ, we may claim to believe every truth in the word of God; but this will do our neighbor no good unless our belief is carried into our daily life. Our profession may be as high as heaven, but it will save neither ourselves nor our fellow men unless we are Christians. A right example will do more to benefit the world than all our profession.” COL 383

“By profession you say to the world: My citizenship is not here, but above; while your works decidedly say that you are a dweller on the earth…. Your profession is only a hindrance to souls. You have not corresponding works.” 4T 51

“Conformity to the world is a sin which is sapping the spirituality of our people, and seriously interfering with their usefulness. It is idle to proclaim the warning message to the world, while we deny it in the transactions of daily life.” Review and Herald,

March 28, 1882

The teaching has become very popular in our churches today that in order to witness, we need to be “culturally relevant”, to compromise and lower the high standard of Adventism. But is this God’s method? No! when this method is followed, it may result in large numbers of baptisms, but since the new converts have never been truly taught and grounded in the faith, many of them soon backslide, and those who remain bring their worldly ways with them into the church, and thus the church becomes gradually more and more like the world. We will cover these issues in much greater depth in lesson #17.

22) What are some practical suggestions of ways we can share our faith? Add your own thoughts to the list:

*Hand out literature door-to-door, on the street, or at a flea market

*Visit and take food to a shut-in neighbor and read the Bible or sing for them

*Run a small Bible study correspondence school in your home

*Give Bible studies in someone’s home

*Lead out in an afternoon study at church on Christian standards, etc.

*Slip tracts in the envelope when you pay your bill

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Remember that you can share your faith even at church, because others there may not clearly understand what they believe and what our church historically stood for.

E. Non-Resistance

23) What example did Christ give us of how we are to treat our enemies? _____________

________________________________________________________________________

“For this [is] thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory [is it], if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye ______________, and ____________________________, ye __________________________________, this [is] acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because ________________________________________ for us, leaving us an ______________, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, __________________

_________________; when he suffered, he ____________________________; but __________________________________________________ that judgeth righteously:” 1 Peter 2:19-23

“And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw [this], they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not _________________________________________ __________________. For the Son of man is not come to ______________ men's lives, but to ________ [them]. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:51-56

“Then said Jesus, Father, ________________________; for they __________________ ______________________. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” Luke 23:34

24) What counsel does the Bible give us specifically about taking our fellow church members to court or bringing lawsuit against them?

“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?… I speak to your __________. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But _______________________________________ ________________________, and that ____________ the _______________________. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather [suffer yourselves to] be defrauded? Nay, ______________________, and defraud, and that [your] brethren.” 1 Corinthians 6:1-3, 5-8

It is not pleasing to God if we air church squabbles and disputes before the public. We are to settle our differences peaceably among ourselves.

25) What further instruction does the Bible give us of how we are to respond when others do us wrong? Write several of the phrases which stand out to you, on the lines below:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“And as ye would that men should do to you, __________________________________ ___________________.” Luke 6:31

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, __________________________: For the __________ of man worketh not the __________________________ of God.” James 1:19-20

“See that ________________________________ for evil unto any [man]; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all [men].”

1 Thessalonians 5:15

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is __________ with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be ____________________ to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. __________ with thine __________________ quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison…. Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye ______________________________: but whosoever shall ____________________ on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will ________________ at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have [thy] cloak also. And whosoever shall ______________________ to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, __________________________________, __________ them that __________ you, ______________ to them that ________ you, and ________ for them which ________________________________ you, and __________________ you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore ______________, ______________________________________ which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:21-25, 38-48

“__________ them which persecute you: bless, and curse not…. ___________________ to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, ____________________________ with all men. Dearly beloved, ____________________ yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, ____________________________________; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt ____________________________________ on his head. Be not ________________ of ________, but _______________________________________________.”

Romans 12:14, 17-21

“Thou shalt not ________.” Exodus 20:13

“Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall __________________________________________.” Matthew 26:52

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not ______ after the flesh: (For the ____________________________________________ [are] not ____________, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

This counsel may not always be easy to follow when we’re feeling slighted, mistreated, or wronged, but it is the Bible way.

26) In this lesson we have considered several different areas all relating to association with others. Have you seen an area where you especially want to see an improvement in your life? Perhaps you realize you haven’t been the kind of influence on your friends and acquaintances you ought to be. Maybe it’s that you haven’t been very active sharing your faith with others; or you’ve been witnessing every time you get a chance, but your life hasn’t been consistent with your profession. Or perhaps you know you’ve harbored a revengeful attitude when others have done you wrong. Whatever it may be, are you willing to surrender your life to the Lord anew and allow Him to change you as you cooperate with Him? Write your commitment below: _____________________________

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Next Study:

17) Belonging to Church