12: Love and Justice: The Two Greatest Commandments — Teaching Plan

Key Thought: If we love God, we will love one another and share a concern for one another’s well-being.
March 22, 2025

1. Have a volunteer read Matthew 22:34-40, Matthew 19:16-29..

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
How did Jesus answer the lawyer’s question?
Personal Application: Is there anything in our lives that we may be clinging to that may interfere with our eternal life? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Why did Jesus tell the lawyer love was the fulfilling of the law, but the rich young ruler to keep the commandments? Aren’t these answers contrarty to one another?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Psalm 135:13-19, Zechariah 7:9-12..

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
What does this reveal about a common sin emphasized throughout Scripture?
Personal Application: Can we say we love God and not have love for human beings? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your friends states, “How does the sin of idolatry relate to the two great commandments? What kind of idols do people have today? ” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Psalm 82, Matthew 23:23-30.

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
How does Psalm 82 express God’s concern for justice in this world? What might it mean for us today?
Personal Application: What might we be focusing on that might be more insignificant than more important things? What would the more important things be contrasted to the smaller things? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “In Matthew what does Jesus say are the weightier matters that are most important? How does He, as well as we, balance justice and mercy?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Luke 10:25-27.

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
What does this parable teach about the kind of injustices different people groups have inflicted on others through human history?
Personal Application: What cann we learn from the life and ministry of Jesus about reaching out to those in need? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared. ”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).