Honor recognizes and affirms that every person is valuable and powerful. We are made in God’s image; He died to restore us to relationship with Him, therefore we are significant.

Genesis 1:26-28; Ephesians 4:23-24; Psalm 139:13-16; Romans 12:10; 1 Corinthians 12:14-26; 1 Peter 2:17; Matthew 26:6-13.

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Honor recognizes and celebrates the best in people, in spite of our differences. We respond to people based on their God-given identity and the honor in our hearts, not their behavior or self-definition.

1 Corinthians 12:14-26; 2 Corinthians 5:16-17; James 2:1-5; Philippians 2:3; 1 Samuel 24:1-10.

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Honor is demonstrated through consistent respect in word and action toward those we lead, follow, love and disagree with. While honor avoids controlling others, it also lovingly confronts, limits, and disciplines when necessary.

1 Corinthians 13:1-7; Leviticus 19:15-18; Galatians 6:1- 2; Ephesians 4:14-15; Romans 2:4; Matthew 18:15; Hebrews 12:11-14; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Luke 3:10-14.

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The level of honor we have for a person directly affects our ability to receive from them.

Matthew 10:40-42; Philippians 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 4:14-20; 2 Kings 4:8-37.

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What Does This Mean?

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We love people even if we do not receive anything from them in return.

Romans 5:8; Matthew 5:43-48; Matthew 25:40, 45; Proverbs 14:31.

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We regularly ask God to help us see the people in our lives as He does and to encourage them with the truths He tells us about them.

2 Corinthians 5:16-17; 1 Corinthians 14:3-5; Matthew 16:17-19; Judges 6:12-16; Ephesians 1:18.

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We recognize where other people fit in the body of Christ, celebrate their individuality, and make room for their gifts to be expressed.

1 Corinthians 12:4-31; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Romans 12:3-5; Ephesians 4:7-16; Matthew 10:41.

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We love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.

Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 9:54-56; Luke 23:34.

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We honor the future generations and desire to see them prosper and do greater things than we have done.

John 14:12; Deuteronomy 31:14; Deuteronomy 31:23; 2 Kings 2:9-14; 1 Chronicles 22:5-11; Acts 2:38-39.

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Some people need to belong before they believe. Rather than judge people outside the church, we love, serve, and speak life to them, hoping that they will soon embrace the truth of Father’s love.

John 3:17; Romans 2:4; Mark 2:13-17; 1 Corinthians 5:5-13; Matthew 10:8; John 3:1-17; John 7:50-51; John 19:39-40.

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It is a mistake to give honor to those in leadership but not to those in our everyday lives.

1 Corinthians 12:24-26; Philippians 2:3-7; Ephesians 4:2-4; Matthew 25:40.

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If our brothers or sisters sin, we help them to find the root cause of their behavior so that they can be restored to wholeness. Galatians 6:1-2; James 5:19-20; Matthew 18:15-16; Luke 17:3-4; 1 Corinthians 4:14.

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Don’t Misunderstand…

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When necessary, we confront our brothers and sisters and call them to live up to their true identity.

1 Corinthians 4:14; Luke 9:54-56; Matthew 16:23; Titus 3:8-11; 2 Thessalonians 3:14 -15.

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Though all are equally loved by God, we are not equally empowered by God or the community. Within God’s design of authority, there are different levels of favor and position. The body of Christ is most effective when we embrace this truth while maintaining mutual honor for one another.

1 Timothy 5:17-19; 1 Corinthians 12:18; 1 Corinthians 12:24-28; Ephesians 4:7-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13.

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Those in leadership should not use their authority to be destructive, manipulative, or controlling.

Matthew 25:25-28; 1 Peter 5:1-3; 1 Timothy 6:3-14; 3 John 9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:12-13.

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We honor others in every situation, not just when and where it’s convenient.

Romans 13:7-8; 1 Peter 2:17-20; 1 Peter 3:8-9; John 13:34-35; John 4:5-42; Matthew 19:13-15.

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We do not always have to agree with everyone or have the same opinions.

Ephesians 4:1-4; Romans 14:1-23; Acts 15:30-35; 2 Timothy 4:11.

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People can choose to behave their way out of relationship and connection with us.

Titus 3:9-11; 2 John 1:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; 1 Corinthians 5:4-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:14.