Love
Back to Basics – Part 1
February 13-14, 2021
Dr. Jeffrey Allen Love
1 Corinthians 13
”Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7 (p.943)
- Love Comes From God.
Series Key Verse: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (p.866)
1. Learn to love by knowing God.
”But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:8 (p.943)
“If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2 (p.878)
2. Live in love by growing closer to God.
“‘(Jesus)…You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39 (p.753)
”Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (p.878)
“Let love be your highest goal!” 1 Corinthians 14:1a (p.878)
Next Step: ____ Understanding that love comes from God and God is love, I will let love be my highest goal as I prayerfully read through 1 Corinthians 13 every day this next week.
Discussion/Groups Guide from the Weekend TalkFrom the Weekend Talk of February 13-14, 2021
Back to Basics – Part 1: Love
Life Groups use these questions to go deeper into what we talked about this weekend. Dig into them so you will be ready for the discussion at your Life Group. If you are not in a Group, find out more at www.alivechurch.com/groups.
You can also use this guide to discuss the Talk with your family or friends.
Conversation Starters
- How many ways do we often use the word “love?”
- How does our culture define love?
- How would you explain love to a child?
Quick Review
- Looking back at your Talk Notes, was there anything you heard in the service that stood out or maybe even confused you?
Discussion Starters from the Weekend Talk
Refer to the Talk Notes and related Bible verses from this Weekend’s Talk Notes.
Jeff emphasized a biblical truth as our main idea this weekend: “Love Comes From God.”
- Read Romans 12:2 (p.866) and 1 John 4:7 (p.943)
- Jeff asked this question regarding 1 John 4:7, “So all I have to do is love someone? And then I am a child of God?”
- What did/do you think of this question?
- Jeff asked this question regarding 1 John 4:7, “So all I have to do is love someone? And then I am a child of God?”
To properly consider Jeff’s question, he also brought up two basic foundational truths about love and our opportunity and ability to experience and share it:
- Learn to love by knowing God. (1 John 4:8 (p.943) and 1 Corinthians 13:2 (p.878))
- Have you ever heard the phrase, “God is love”?
- What does this mean? Why is it important?
- What about God’s justice and holiness in light of His love?
- Why does the Bible say “I would be nothing” in 1 Corinthians 13:2?
- Does this mean that understanding, knowledge, and faith are worthless?
- What does it mean to “have love?”
- What does this mean? Why is it important?
- Live in love by growing closer to God. (Matthew 22:37-39 (p.753); 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (p.878); 1 Corinthians 14:1a (p.878).
- Jesus tells us to “love God and love people (Matthew 22:37-40). Then Paul describes what love is (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
- Why do you think all the other laws are based on these (Matthew 22:40)?
- What are the characteristics of love that Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7?
- Rate yourself on each of them on a 1-5 scale:
1 = I really need to improve on this.
3 = I am sometimes pretty good at this and sometimes not so much.
5 = I’m doing great on this!
- What is one thing you could do today to improve your score?
- Rate yourself on each of them on a 1-5 scale:
- What are the characteristics of love that Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7?
- How can you “let love be your highest goal?”
- Why do you think all the other laws are based on these (Matthew 22:40)?
What does this mean to you in practical terms?
- In Jeff’s Talk we heard a powerful story of the love commitment of a couple from our church, Emerson and Peggy Knowles. They have stood by each other through some very difficult circumstances (especially since her stroke 18 years ago). Commitment to the covenant of their marriage is a big part of their story.
- How does commitment fit into the context of love as we have read in 1 Corinthians 13 and 1 John 4?
- How does growing closer to God help one to stand by their commitment of love?
Digging Deeper
1 Corinthians 13 is often referred to as the Love Chapter. It is also our Next Step to prayerfully read it every day this week. Take a look at some other passages (below) that also speak to the supremacy of love in the life of a Follower of Jesus. How do they match up with 1 Corinthians 13? What instructions are similar and what additional teaching about love do you find in these other passages? Ask God to also use these additional passages from His Word to help you, “let love be your highest goal.”
- Romans 12:9-10
- Romans 13:8-10
- Galatians 5:6
- Ephesians 5:2
- Colossians 3:14
- 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
- 1 Timothy 1:5
Next Step
My Next Step: ____ Understanding that love comes from God and God is love, I will let love be my highest goal as I prayerfully read through 1 Corinthians 13 every day this next week.
- Use the link on the app or go to your Connection Card at www.alivechurch.com/card to indicate you are taking this Next Step so that we can pray for you.
What’s Ahead
- Our “Back to Basics” Series on Love, Sex, and Dating continues this weekend with Part 2: “Sex.” Are you allowing God to transform your thinking about sex or culture? It’s time to get back to God’s standard to set up your life for success in all relationships.
- Be sure to register online for in-person services. To help us maintain attendance and social distancing recommendations from the CDC and state and local officials, we ask that you please register online for you and your family and guests.
- Have you signed up for our Alive Church Newsletter?
- Sign up here: www.alivechurch.com/newsletter
Note: Page numbers given with the verses are from The Life Transformation Bible. This Bible is the New Living Translation, including many useful tools to help you better understand God’s Word, including our own Alive Church Life Transformation Discipleship Plan. They are available FREE. Let us know if you’d like to have one. We also have a Kids Edition of the Bible.