LOVE & WAR LOVE & WAR

---

LOVE & WAR

LOVE & WAR

GOD’S LOVE THROUGH YOU

GOD’S LOVE THROUGH YOU

MARCH 18, 2018 1 JOHN 4:7-21

MARCH 18, 2018 1 JOHN 4:7-21

BIG MOVE: God’s LOVE extends to you, so let His LOVE flow through you.

BIG MOVE: God’s LOVE extends to you, so let His LOVE flow through you.

1. FATHERS me.

1. FATHERS me.

2. Wants RELATIONSHIP.

2. Wants RELATIONSHIP.

3. Always PURSUES.

3. Always PURSUES.

4. Covers my SIN.

4. Covers my SIN.

5. Gives COUNSEL.

5. Gives COUNSEL.

6. PERSEVERES to perfect.

6. PERSEVERES to perfect.

“It’s not pretty and it’s not easy, but it’s a glorious mess. When I am faithful to love others like Christ loves me, this is where God’s love is being perfected in me.”

PULPIT CURRICULUM 1 JOHN 4:7-21

“It’s not pretty and it’s not easy, but it’s a glorious mess. When I am faithful to love others like Christ loves me, this is where God’s love is being perfected in me.”

PULPIT CURRICULUM 1 JOHN 4:7-21

d

d

How is love defined in 1 John 4:10–11? How does this definition of love change the way you love others? _________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Where do we find the source and motivation to love one another? How does the answer to this question alter the way you strive to love others? ______________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

How is love defined in 1 John 4:10–11? How does this definition of love change the way you love others? _________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Where do we find the source and motivation to love one another? How does the answer to this question alter the way you strive to love others? ______________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Have you ever doubted God’s love for you? How can 1 John 4:9 encourage you during these times of doubt? _________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ In what ways have you allowed earthly relationships to shape your definition of love instead of the love you receive from your Heavenly Father? How does knowing God is a perfect Father, who always pursues relationship with us, change everything we know about love? ___________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ This passage makes it clear we are never the initiators and always the responders when it comes to love between us and our Creator. In other words, we can’t even begin to respond to Him until we grasp that He already loves us. If we only see the life of Jesus as a great example, we’ve missed the central purpose of His time here. He came to be and do for us what couldn’t be accomplished any other way. Only God’s Son could “be the propitiation for our sins.” How should Christ’s covering our sin floor us, and allow us to “cover a multitude of sins” (1 Pt. 4:8) in others? _______________________ ______________________________________________________________ “Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.” What does Charles Spurgeon mean by this? Furthermore, does your love for others proclaim the Gospel? How? _____________________ ______________________________________________________________ Where are you missing opportunities to love like this? _____________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Have you ever doubted God’s love for you? How can 1 John 4:9 encourage you during these times of doubt? _________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ In what ways have you allowed earthly relationships to shape your definition of love instead of the love you receive from your Heavenly Father? How does knowing God is a perfect Father, who always pursues relationship with us, change everything we know about love? ___________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ This passage makes it clear we are never the initiators and always the responders when it comes to love between us and our Creator. In other words, we can’t even begin to respond to Him until we grasp that He already loves us. If we only see the life of Jesus as a great example, we’ve missed the central purpose of His time here. He came to be and do for us what couldn’t be accomplished any other way. Only God’s Son could “be the propitiation for our sins.” How should Christ’s covering our sin floor us, and allow us to “cover a multitude of sins” (1 Pt. 4:8) in others? _______________________ ______________________________________________________________ “Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.” What does Charles Spurgeon mean by this? Furthermore, does your love for others proclaim the Gospel? How? _____________________ ______________________________________________________________ Where are you missing opportunities to love like this? _____________________________ ______________________________________________________________

The perfect love we receive from God is supposed to flow through us. We receive from Him, pour it out onto others, and are filled again from the perfect source. Choose one person that is closest to you or hardest to love (maybe both). With Christ’s example, commit to pursuing relationship and covering sin this week. Share your plan with your group and hold one another accountable.

The perfect love we receive from God is supposed to flow through us. We receive from Him, pour it out onto others, and are filled again from the perfect source. Choose one person that is closest to you or hardest to love (maybe both). With Christ’s example, commit to pursuing relationship and covering sin this week. Share your plan with your group and hold one another accountable.

WEEK 12: DAY 2: 1 Samuel 20 DAY 1: 1 Samuel 19 DAY 3: 1 Samuel 28

DAY 4: 1 Samuel 31 DAY 5: 2 Samuel 5-6

DAY 6: Catch Up/Reflection DAY 7: Catch Up/Reflection

WEEK 12: DAY 2: 1 Samuel 20 DAY 1: 1 Samuel 19 DAY 3: 1 Samuel 28

DAY 4: 1 Samuel 31 DAY 5: 2 Samuel 5-6

DAY 6: Catch Up/Reflection DAY 7: Catch Up/Reflection