Writing or Art Project for "Loving Others"

Loving others as we would want to be loved can be a challenging subject when the "others" are different from us in specific ways: Physically, Mentally, Intellectually or Emotionally Challenged (for example). Immigrants. People from different religions. People who are hard to love. People who have hurt us.

The Lesson Idea:
Use a familiar scripture verse or passage as a "template" for a new subject....  Rewriting the passage to give it a new subject (but using the same format as the old).

Examples:  The Beatitudes for Caring for Disabled Persons
The Ten Commandment for dealing with difficult people
Psalm 23 for helping a friend through trouble.  

The idea is to restate what Jesus might have taught us about a specific subject had he used these familiar passages/wordings.  [The bonus is that we have to grapple and learn these familiar scriptures/formats to reinterpret them for a specific new subject.]

Ten Commandments of loving the difficult to love.
 Examples:
   ..."Do not murder a person's reputation or dignity, just because you can't get along with them."
   ..."Honor a troubled mother and father, even if they are having trouble honoring you."
   ..."Show you put God first, by putting aside your ego and letting God work through you."

Psalm 23 for walking a friend through difficult times/trouble.
  ...I will help you find cool water and green pastures.
  ...for God and I will go with you. 

"Beatitudes for Friends and Family of Disabled Persons "

Jesus often challenges our thinking and traditional points of view by pointing out how God's ways are often the OPPOSITE of our own inclinations. The Beatitudes are a good example of this "other way of looking" "different values" with which we are to view the world its needs, and its people. Example: What some view as weakness/meekness, God views as strength. 

The following restatement of Jesus' Beatitudes redefines how we can be a blessing, and what makes us a blessing to others.  In many ways they speak for all of us at one time or another.

Blessed are you who take time to listen to difficult speech,

for you help us to persevere until we are understood.

Blessed are you who walk with us in public places and ignore the stares of others,

for we find havens of relaxation in your companionship.

Blessed are you who never bid us to “hurry up,” and more blessed are you who do not snatch our tasks from our hands to do them for us,

for often we need time — rather than help.

Blessed are you who stand beside us as we enter new and untried ventures,

for the delight we feel when we surprise you outweighs all the frustrating failures.

Blessed are you who ask for our help,

for our greatest need is to be needed.          Author unknown

As well...

Ten Commandments for Disciples

Ten Commandments for Going to Church

How to "Beat Your Attitude" in Worship (Beatitudes for kids in worship)

"Fruits of the Worshipper"