Transcript ppt file
Stick with Love April 26 Think about it … • What are the marks of a true friendship? • True friendship will be marked by an attitude of Christ like love – Today we study Jesus’ words about love from John 15. Grounded in God’s Love • What kind of skill have you learned by watching someone else repeatedly perform the skill? • How was this method of learning more effective than just reading a book about the skill? • Listen for How Christ teaches us by His example. Listen for How Christ teaches us by His example. John 15:9-10 (NIV) "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. Grounded in God’s Love • How does Christ teach us by example? • What appeal did Jesus make in these verses? • What evidence does Jesus mention about abiding in Christ’s love? Grounded in God’s Love • How would you describe the connection between “remaining in love” and “obeying commandments”? • What does this passage tell us about God’s design for our class, our church? Listen for how to have joy. John 15:11-12 (NIV) I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Mirror Jesus’ Love • According to verse 11, what blessing will we receive if we truly love and obey? • In what ways does this happen? How is God’s joy manifested in you? How is it made complete? • How does our joy or lack of joy impact our relationships with others? Mirror Jesus’ Love • When do you struggle with loving others the way Jesus has loved you? • Who have been major influences in your life because they have loved you with a love like the love of Christ? • How has their love made a difference for you? Listen for the greatest demonstration of love. John 15:13 – 16 (NIV) [13] Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command. [15] I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, Listen for the greatest demonstration of love. for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. [16] You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Love Demands Sacrifice • According to Jesus what was the greatest expression of love? • What does it mean for a person to “lay down his life”? • What does it mean to be “friends” with Jesus? • When have you experienced the power of sacrificial love? Love Demands Sacrifice • What opportunities do you have to “lay down your life” for others? • Note the contrasts Jesus makes between servants and friends (He calls us friends). Servants Friends Love Demands Sacrifice • Do you remember as a child when they would choose up sides for a game … were you ever the last one chosen? You weren’t even chosen, the person with last choice had to take you. How did you feel? • It says here that God chose us … to be His friends! For what other purpose did God choose us? Application • Ask God to show you where you are holding back your love in any of your relationships – Read our Scripture passage again, John 15:9-16 and identify a verse that speaks to you about your attitude – Confess to God any lack of love on your part – Surrender to God’s Spirit who will produce the Spiritual Fruit of love Application • Think of someone in your life who may feel unloved – Offer a gift to show your love for him or her – Attach a note expressing God’s love and your love for that person Application • Sacrifice something – Give up something this week that hinders a relationship from being strong – Use that time or energy instead to build up that relationship Stick with Love April 26