Open Heaven For Teens 7 August 2024 – Flattery Vs Appreciation

TOPIC: Flattery Vs Appreciation (Open Heaven for Teens 7 August 2024)

MEMORISE: A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet. – Proverbs 29:5

READ: Mark 10:18

18. And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

MESSAGE:

Appreciation has to with speaking well of someone or letting them know how good they are. Flattery, on the other hand, is exaggerated appreciation. For example, when someone says that a lady is beautiful, that is a simple compliment. However, when such a person goes further to say that she is the most beautiful girl in the whole world and that she is his ride or die because, without her, he would not be able to breathe, that is flattery. Likewise, if a girl says that a man is the most powerful man in the world and that he has the strength of a thousand men, just know that she is lying.

Jesus, who is all in all, did not encourage flattery. When a disciple called Him good, He said, “Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God.” He didn’t draw unnecessary attention to Himself; rather, He redirected the attention of the fellow who called Him good to God. As much as possible, avoid people who exaggerate or who are quick to shower accolades on you so that you don’t get easily distracted.

KEY POINT
Flatterers are deceptive; run from them.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezra 4:22; 1 Corinthians 3:5-23

HYMN 45, O God Our Help In Ages Past

1. O God, Our Help In Ages Past
   Our Hope For Years To Come
   Our Shelter From The Stormy Blast
   And Our Eternal Home
2. Under The Shadow Of Thy Throne
   Thy Saints Have Dwelt Secure
   Sufficient Is Thine Arm Alone
   And Our Defence Is Sure
3. Before The Hills In Order Stood
   Or Earth Received Her Frame
   From Everlasting Thou Art God
   To Endless Years The Same
4. A Thousand Ages In Thy Sight
   Are Like An Evening Gone
   Short As The Watch That Ends The Night
   Before The Rising Sun
5. Time, Like An Ever-Rolling Stream
   Bears All Its Sons Away
   They Fly Forgotten, As A Dream
   Dies At The Opening Day
6. O God, Our Help In Ages Past
   Our Hope For Years To Come
   Be Thou Our Guard While Trouble Last
   And Our Eternal Home

Daily Devotional for Teen’s guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.