SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON - AUGUST 22ND

Relationships: The Long-Distance Factor

LESSON PASSAGES OUTLINE
1. Look at Others’ Example: Be Generous (2 Cor. 8:1-7)
2. Consider Jesus’ Example: Be Loving (2 Cor. 8:8-9)
3. Establish Your Example: Be Eager (2 Cor. 9:1-2,7-8)
4. Think About Results: Be Optimistic (2 Cor. 9:12-15)

BIBLICAL TRUTH - Christians can minister to others even in distant, uneasy situations.

Bible Commentary - by Terry Ellis, Senior Pastor, Spring Hill Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama

March 11 was significant to Melissa. It was the birthday of a friend, or a former friend. Melissa wasn’t quite sure anymore. They once had been close friends, but that was when they lived in the same town. After leaving their hometown to attend college in different states and pursuing different career paths, all their promises of keeping in touch had fallen by the wayside.

One day the two of them had gotten together for a visit, but it had ended badly. Melissa couldn’t remember what the blowup had been about, but she recalled that her friend seemed to have unchristian priorities and attitudes now. The relationship had cooled, but Melissa wondered what would happen if she called or wrote her friend.

Do you have any long-distance relationships that have cooled? What are the underlying reasons?

While it is true that long-distance relationships are hard to maintain for a variety of reasons, it is also true that they can be very productive and rewarding. Sometimes distance can create or magnify misunderstanding. A day-to-day, face-to-face relationship offers many opportunities for interaction and clarification. A minor problem can be easily resolved. The long-distance relationship, however, offers fewer opportunities for interaction and support. For that reason, we do well to understand some principles for ministering to others even in long-distance relationships.

Paul interacted with many churches over a vast area. He had many long-distance Christian relationships. His interaction with the church at Jerusalem and his efforts to collect a relief offering for needy Christians there provide a case study in long-distance relationships.