Learn by example, mistake, or reading about it

Step 4 of LifeWay’s Leader Guide summarizes Romans 13:12b-14 as “Exhibit High Morals” in the context of the lesson “Live as a Godly Neighbor”. The so-called emerging church focus on narrative has led some adherents to conclude that Biblical morality is secondary to its narrative revelation of God. They say the Bible has been turned into a rulebook to the detriment of its relationship story between God and man. If you read Romans 13:12b-14 alone and out of context does the Bible sound like a rulebook to you? If so, what other passages would you include in your reading to make sure that the narrative story of God relating to man is not lost?

The Leader Guide suggests changing a dirty, worn shirt for a clean shirt as an object lesson. You could change a dirty, soiled shirt on a doll instead. Psychologists say that a child at age 2 can learn to put clothes on, so how long does it take for a Christian to learn to put on Christ?

Can you recall a lesson you learned from making a mistake?