Please feel free to use the following as a reflection, personal study, or for your Life Group. Please be sensitive to other views expressed.
INTRODUCTION
LOVE is such an interesting subject to discuss. Apostle Paul describes AGAPE-LOVE AS A LOVE THAT NEVER-EVER FAILS! Now I'm sure many of us have experienced the opposite when love actually failed us.
1. Provide some examples in how we see human love failing us? Why is this so?
ADDITIONAL INFO
It’s critical we understand WHAT LOVE IS and WHAT LOVE IS NOT based on GOD’S TERMS. Not doing so will have us define LOVE relative to our desires. This love is becoming more and more unregulated, immoral, and thus, physically, emotionally, and spiritually dangerous. This is a false attractive love defined by us humans VERSUS having a true legislative sacrificial LOVE structured and govern by GOD HIMSELF, WHO IS LOVE.
Dr. & Pastor Ray Fowler, helps us breakdown our LOVE CHAPTER that answers THREE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:
1ST. HOW does God measure our life? Read 1 Cor. 13:1-3.
Question: Ever receive a gift but the love behind the gift was lacking? How did you feel?
Point: Love is what brings value behind the gift. Love is what brings value to others.
2ND. WHAT is this "love" God is measuring in our life? What does it look like? Read 1 Cor. 13:4-7.
Question: What are examples in your life when love became a choice over a feeling?
Point: AGAPE-LOVE chooses to love by acting in ways for the benefit of another which carries sacrificial tones.
Additional Reading: Luke 6:32-36.
Question: What is Jesus saying in these verses?
3RD. WHY does God measure our lives by our love? Read 1 Cor. 13:8-13.
Question: When, where, and through whom, did AGAPE-LOVE originate (1 John 4:7-10)?
Question: Based on 1 Cor. 13:8-13 what will cease? Why do you think they will stop? What will remain?
CONCLUSION:
Question / Main Point: What are you doing in the NOW, with the AGAPE-LOVE, that will has eternal significance when you meet Jesus face to face?
In the words of Fowler, "...faith will change to sight, and hope will change to fulfillment, but love will never be replaced. Love lasts forever."
In our Savior's Love,
Pastor Trevor