Series: Fruit of the Spirit
Date: 9/20/2020
Text: 1 Corinthians 13
Central Thought: The fruit of the Spirit is founded on the Father’s love for us. We have freedom to love because God loves us.
Read the text in its entirety before discussing the following questions.
- How is love the opposite of fear?
- How do you struggle to believe you are loved by God?
For example: You can’t receive undeserved gifts; you protect yourself because you don’t think God will; you consider God’s love unimportant to your daily walk; you’re more aware of your daily struggles than God’s eternal unseen plan; you refuse God’s forgiveness until you’ve ‘earned’ it; etc.
1. Importance of Love, v. 1-3
Consider what it would look like to serve your neighbors or your Christian family without love.
- Can you name a few examples?
2. God is Love, v. 4-12
The sermon exposed a counterfeit of love: the romantic. Being attracted to a person drives you to do good deeds, but it’s actually self-serving.
- In what ways have you given counterfeit love to a partner, friends, or neighbors?
- How does this differ from the love described in the text?
- How does this differ from the love demonstrated by Jesus here on Earth? (See John 15:9-13, 1 John 3:16-18, 1 John 4:9-11.)
A good definition of love: Love is to serve a person for their good and intrinsic value, not for what the person brings you.
The gospel narrative arc refers to the complete movement of God’s story told in the Bible; we describe it in four parts: creation, fall, redemption, restoration.
- Extra Credit: Consider how each part is necessary to a proper understanding of God’s love for us.
3. You are God’s beloved, v. 13
- What does it mean to be God’s beloved? That God finds you lovable? See 1 John 4:7-21.
The sermon offered ways to put your love into action. Examples: take meal to the Reed family (mealtrain.com/trains/9L2245), deliver mums/pumpkins, make treats, watch children, write cards, etc.
- How can your community group love the neighbors of your hosts’ home?
- How can your household love your neighbors or Christian family?
CLOSE IN PRAYER
Let us pray for one another now to overcome fear by believing God’s love for us.
Pray for our church family to be transformed as they understand they’re loved by God.
Pray for neighbors, family, and friends you hope will come to know and believe the love that God has for them
