When it comes down to it, most people in our lives want to know that they are loved unconditionally. This is particularly true of the children in our lives. All of us want to know that we are loved no matter what. That is why the late Mr. Rogers was known for saying, "I like you just the way you are" in his children's show. We all want to be shown unconditional love, but the question is, are we showing this kind of love to the people in our lives, especially our loved ones and children? Today we will look at the call we have in Scripture to love others unconditionally.
BREAK THE ICE
Who is someone who showed unconditional love to you?
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Bible Study Questions
1. What holds people back from loving others unconditionally?
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. What stands out to you from this definition of love? Why?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."
3. How would you describe this kind of love that Paul describes in this passage of Scripture?
4. Read 1 Corinthians 13:8-13. How is love greater than anything else described in this passage of Scripture?
1 Corinthians 13:8-13
"Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! 9 Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! 10 But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless. 11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 12 Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 13 Three things will last forever-faith, hope, and love-and the greatest of these is love."
"Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! 9 Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! 10 But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless.
11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 12 Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
13 Three things will last forever-faith, hope, and love-and the greatest of these is love."
Application
1. Look back at the definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Which of these is easiest for you? Why?
2. Which of the aspects of love described in 1 Corinthians 13 is more difficult for you? Why?
3. What is one way that you can grow in that area?
MOVING FORWARD
Choose one of the aspects of love Paul described in 1 Corinthians 13 to focus on over this next week. Please share it with your group. Commit to praying daily for God to help you grow in that area as you focus on it daily. Next week, when you come back together, share your experience focusing on and praying over this aspect.
GOING DEEPER
When loving the people in our lives, love for God is to be at the front and center. One of the ways that our love is demonstrated is by prioritizing time with Him and making our relationship with Him the most important thing. Unfortunately, we let things get in the way of our commitment to Him and compete for our time and attention, like sports, screens, obligations, and so much more. In a world competing for non-stop attention and affection, Scripture teaches that nothing is more important to us than God and our relationship with Him. This means we may need to re-align our priorities to place God in the rightful place that He deserves.
There is no room for idols in our lives:
One of the key themes throughout the Old Testament is a warning against idol worship. An idol is anything that takes the place of God in our lives that only God deserves. Idols can come in many different forms. In the Old Testament, idols were often carved images that people would worship as if they were a god. Today, idols come in the form of possessions, positions, accomplishments, and even people. When we have idols, these things take the top positions in our lives. They become more important to us than God. When God instructed the Israelites, He made it clear that He hates idolatry.
1. Read Exodus 20:4-5
Exodus 20:4-5
"You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected-even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me."
2. Summarize God's command to the Israelites in this verse.
3. Why did God instruct the Israelites not to have any idols?
4. How does God describe Himself in these verses?
We need to repent of idols:
Sometimes we believe that we can get away with our sins and mistakes. We think we will not face the consequences of our sins and can commit them unscathed. This line of thinking is not true. God made it clear in Scripture that He does not tolerate sin, especially idolatry, and He let the Israelites know that their idolatry in Ezekiel 14 was not okay.
1. Read Ezekiel 14:6-8.
Ezekiel 14:6-8
""Therefore, tell the people of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent and turn away from your idols, and stop all your detestable sins. 7 I, the Lord, will answer all those, both Israelites and foreigners, who reject me and set up idols in their hearts and so fall into sin, and who then come to a prophet asking for my advice. 8 I will turn against such people and make a terrible example of them, eliminating them from among my people. Then you will know that I am the Lord."
2. What warning did God give the Israelites in these verses?
3. Look back at verse 8. What would be the outcome of the consequences of the Israelites' idolatry?
Turning from Idols Means Re-Prioritizing:
There is a better way of living than holding on to the idols in our lives. We often look to idols because we are worried about something, whether that is being taken care of or accepted. Jesus taught in Matthew 6:33 that there is a better way than idol worship.
1. Read Matthew 6:33.
Matthew 6:33
"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."
2. Instead of worrying and turning to idols, what does Jesus call us to do?
3.How does turning to God before anything else eliminate our desire to worship anything else but the one true God?
Reflect:
Take a few moments to reflect on the Scripture we have studied today.
Is there anything that has become an idol in your life? If so, what is it?
How has that idol in your life impacted your relationship with God?
What step must you take today to let go of that idol?
Finish your time praying today. Then, ask God to help you as you take these steps to let go of the idols in your life.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:2
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Ephesians 5:2
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