When asked about the most important commandments, Jesus had two answers: Love God and love people. All other commandments fell under those two commandments. Last week, we talked about the first set of commandments, and this week, we are going to talk about the second: love people. As we study, we will look at what it means to love people well with Christ-like love.
Who do you know that shows Christ-like love to others?
1. How have you personally been impacted by someone who showed you Christ-like love?
2. Read John 13:33-35. Why do you think love for each other is such an important characteristic for followers of Christ?
John 13:33-35 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:33-35
“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
3. How does Jesus’ impending death impact your understanding of the command He gave in John 13:33-35?
4. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-13. Why do you think love is the greatest of the three things that will last forever: faith, hope, and love?
1 Corinthians 13:4-13 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-13
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
5. In the definition that Paul gives of love, what description stands out to you the most? Why?
6. Which of the descriptions that Paul gives of love is the most natural for you to exhibit? Which is the most difficult?
7. When you think about this call for followers of Christ to love, how are you doing? What areas of improvement are there?
When we think about loving people in Group, we may often think outwardly about how we can love people outside of our group. Today, we are going to think inwardly. How are you doing as a group loving each other as a group? Take some time to think about how you all can work toward loving each other well this week and make an action plan to put that love into practice.
When we think about loving people, many of us will naturally think about loving people in our circle, family, friends, and neighbors. While we are certainly called to love our people in our immediate circle, Jesus made it clear that the people we are called to love people far outside of our own circles of our people. Let’s take some time to look at what Jesus taught about who we are called to love.
Divide your group up into groups of 4 and designate each group to read a different passage of Scripture listed below. After reading, have each group answer the questions assigned with their particular passage of Scripture. After about 10 minutes, have your groups come back together and share what they learned from their Scripture reading.
Mark 1:40-44
Mark 2:13-17
John 4:1-26
John 8:1-11
As you think about the way Jesus showed people love, how does his love for the outcasts, sinners, and unwanted challenge you? Is there a person or group of people who are particularly a challenge for you to love? Share with your group. Then, share how you will move forward to demonstrate the kind of love that Jesus showed to that person or group of people.
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John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
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