Small Group Guide: The Way of Love – Elevating Our Love
Opening Discussion:
- What does love mean to you? How has your understanding of love changed over time?
- Share an experience where you felt genuinely loved. What made it stand out?
Key Takeaways:
- Love is not just a feeling; it is the essence of God’s nature.
- True love is received from God first, then reflected to others.
- Love is the evidence of God’s presence in our lives.
- Godly love requires sacrifice and may go against our natural inclinations.
Discussion Questions:
- The sermon states, “Love is NOT a feeling… LOVE IS GOD.” How does this perspective challenge or change your view of love?
- Reflect on 1 John 4:10. How does understanding God’s love for us first impact how we love others?
- Discuss the characteristics of love described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Which aspects do you find most challenging to embody?
- How can we distinguish between worldly love and godly love in our daily interactions?
- The sermon mentions loving our enemies (Matthew 5:44). Share a situation where you struggled to love someone who hurt you. How might God’s love transform that situation?
- Discuss the statement: “Reflecting God’s love is changing our minds.” How can we practically renew our minds to align with God’s love?
Practical Applications:
- This week, practice one aspect of love from 1 Corinthians 13 that you find challenging (e.g., patience, kindness, not being envious).
- Identify someone in your life who is difficult to love. Commit to praying for them daily this week.
- Reflect on areas where you might be manipulative or hypocritical in your relationships. Ask God for help in addressing these issues.
- Choose one of the “To Love Those Who…” sections from the sermon and apply its principles to a specific relationship or situation in your life.
Closing Prayer: Close the session by praying for God’s love to be more fully manifested in each group member’s life, and for the strength to love others sacrificially, even when it’s difficult
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