Sunday, November 11, 2018

Flip the Switch: Here's What Love Does

1 John 4:7–21



→ Scripture Discussion

What are some ways the world defines love?

Read 1 John 4:7–10

How does the Bible define it?
(See 1 John 4:9–10 and John 15:13.)

God showed His love for us by sending His Son to be the sacrifice for our sins. What insight does this give us into how God expects us to show love to others?

What happens to our efforts to love each other if those efforts aren't connected to Jesus' love for us?

How willing are you to make loving sacrifices in your relationships with others right now?

What does your willingness to sacrifice for others show about the way you see and define love?

What is the difference between claiming that "God is loving," and that "God is love"? Why is the second more meaningful than the first?

How does God's love for us transform the way we see other people?

When we fail to love others, what does it reveal about our own relationship with God?

Why is it important that we find the definition of love in the cross rather than somewhere else?

What is the danger of defining God's love based on your circumstances rather than the cross?

Is there any situation in your life right now that is causing you to question the love of God? Based on these verses, how would you counter those doubts?

Read 1 John 4:11–21

Does verse 12 indicate that God's love is somehow imperfect or incomplete? Why or why not?

What does it mean that God's love is made complete or perfected when we love one another?
(As we love one another, that love of God becomes visible to those around us through the tangible and sacrificial expressions of love. This is how the love of God is made complete and becomes visible – when we love each other.)

When we love the way God loves, two things happen according to verses 17–21. What are they?


→ Personal Application

When do you find it hard to love?

Who do you find hard to love?

How can we overcome the challenge to love?


→ Next Steps

Love sends. What opportunities do you have to go out of your way for someone this week?

Love sacrifices. How will you give your very best in order to demonstrate the love of God to someone this week?

Love stays. Who needs you to remain with them this week?


→ How To Pray This Week

Pray and thank God that He deals with us in love. Thank Him for defining love through Jesus, and pray that we would love each other in the same practical and tangible ways He has loved us.


→ Happenings

Communion - Sunday, November 25th
Use this week as a chance to serve together, host a party and invite new people, or hang out together outside of your usual meeting place. As we church people say, "do life" together.

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