Growth group week eight:
A Disciple loves god's people
Week 8
Day 1: Luke 3-4
Day 2: Luke 5-6
Day 3: Luke 7-8
Day 4: Luke 9-10
Day 5: Luke 11-12
Memory Verse:
John 13:35
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, IF you have love for one another.”
Focal Passage: 1 John 4:7-11, 20-21 (Read together)
The world looks into the church and watches us. We claim to be followers of God so they are looking to see if we in fact are different than the world around them. When we love each other with Agape love (unselfish, sacrificial love), the world looks in and sees the difference. When we care, when we are compassionate, when we are kind and forgiving, we then validate the word of God and people begin to really pay attention to our message. God is love, therefore the church ought to be flowing with love for each other. Notice that this verse is specifically talking about our love for one another within the church. Galatians 6:10 says we should do good to all, ESPECIALLY to those of the household of faith. We are to be connected to the body of Christ in a way that we share true fellowship through loving one another fervently with a pure heart (1 Peter 1:22). This truth annihilates the idea that you can be a follower of Jesus yet live a life separated from the local body of Christ. You cannot be declaring to the world that the church is God’s redeemed if you as His child aren’t deeply connected to it. In order to effectively love other brothers and sisters, you must be intimately involved in His church. The world will KNOW we are His by the obvious display of our love for the people of God.
Questions:
1. It’s clearly stated in our memory passage that to be a follower of Jesus, we must live a life of loving the people of God. We are to love in a way that those from the outside could look in and see actions that demonstrate that kind of love. What are some ways we show love to the body of Christ? Please include actions and words.
2. 1 Corinthians 13 defines Agape love for us. Read through verses 4-8 and insert your name in the place of love. Discuss how that made you feel? Where do you see that you need to grow in this area?
3. Jesus is Love. We can put Jesus’ name into this passage easily and He is all these things. In order to follow Him, we must do as He did. What did Jesus do to demonstrate His love for us? How can we follow in His footsteps?
Action steps: Write out the definition of love from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and make a column for each word. Write out how in each one of those categories you could grow. For example “Love is Patient”-I could be more patient with my spouse, my kids, with my aging parents and when I’m driving Etc.
Day 1: Luke 3-4
Day 2: Luke 5-6
Day 3: Luke 7-8
Day 4: Luke 9-10
Day 5: Luke 11-12
Memory Verse:
John 13:35
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, IF you have love for one another.”
Focal Passage: 1 John 4:7-11, 20-21 (Read together)
The world looks into the church and watches us. We claim to be followers of God so they are looking to see if we in fact are different than the world around them. When we love each other with Agape love (unselfish, sacrificial love), the world looks in and sees the difference. When we care, when we are compassionate, when we are kind and forgiving, we then validate the word of God and people begin to really pay attention to our message. God is love, therefore the church ought to be flowing with love for each other. Notice that this verse is specifically talking about our love for one another within the church. Galatians 6:10 says we should do good to all, ESPECIALLY to those of the household of faith. We are to be connected to the body of Christ in a way that we share true fellowship through loving one another fervently with a pure heart (1 Peter 1:22). This truth annihilates the idea that you can be a follower of Jesus yet live a life separated from the local body of Christ. You cannot be declaring to the world that the church is God’s redeemed if you as His child aren’t deeply connected to it. In order to effectively love other brothers and sisters, you must be intimately involved in His church. The world will KNOW we are His by the obvious display of our love for the people of God.
Questions:
1. It’s clearly stated in our memory passage that to be a follower of Jesus, we must live a life of loving the people of God. We are to love in a way that those from the outside could look in and see actions that demonstrate that kind of love. What are some ways we show love to the body of Christ? Please include actions and words.
2. 1 Corinthians 13 defines Agape love for us. Read through verses 4-8 and insert your name in the place of love. Discuss how that made you feel? Where do you see that you need to grow in this area?
3. Jesus is Love. We can put Jesus’ name into this passage easily and He is all these things. In order to follow Him, we must do as He did. What did Jesus do to demonstrate His love for us? How can we follow in His footsteps?
Action steps: Write out the definition of love from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and make a column for each word. Write out how in each one of those categories you could grow. For example “Love is Patient”-I could be more patient with my spouse, my kids, with my aging parents and when I’m driving Etc.