Happy Tuesday to you & yours. I hope your week is going great and this message finds you well.
This study guide is based on my recent article, Loving Each Other. Please click here if you have not read it or feel you need a review. The article is based on John 13:31-35. I also recommend you have a Bible, paper, and pen with you as you work through this study guide. Take notes and reflect as God leads you.
This study dives deep into the subject of loving God and how the gospel is a critical component in growing our love for God.
Have a great week!
Our Love for Each Other is the Unmistakable Sign of Christ's Work in Us.
Key Takeaways:
1. A New Command:
Jesus calls us to a higher standard of love – to love one another as He has loved us.
2. The Ultimate Witness
Our love for one another is a powerful sign of Christ's work in us, visible to the world.
3. Christ as Our Example
Jesus' love is selfless, impartial, lasting, and sacrificial, especially demonstrated on the cross.
4. Inclusive Love
The church should be known for its radical, inclusive, and selfless love, reflecting Christ's own.
Reflection Questions:
1. A New Commandment
What does Jesus mean by calling this a “new commandment”? How does this command to love differ from earlier commandments in the Old Testament?
Jesus redefines the object and measure of love – from loving neighbors to loving each other as He loved us in a self-sacrificial way. It’s not just love for those we like, but for all.
2. Qualities of Jesus’ Love
The article outlines Jesus’ love as selfless, impartial, lasting, and sacrificial. Can you recall specific instances in Jesus’ life that demonstrate these aspects of His love for the people He encountered?
Despite knowing his betrayal, Jesus washing Judas’ feet demonstrates His impartial, sacrificial love. His healing of outsiders and consistent compassion for the marginalized also exemplify this.
3. Glory of the Cross
How does understanding the glory of the cross – where Jesus laid down His life for us – impact our ability to love others?
The cross is the ultimate example of sacrificial love. When we grasp this, we are empowered to love even when it’s difficult, knowing that Christ did the same for us.
4. The Unmistakable Sign of Christ’s Work
“Our love for each other is the unmistakable sign of Christ's work in us.” What practical ways can we make this love more visible in our church community?
Explore opportunities to care for the marginalized, show hospitality to newcomers, or reconcile broken relationships within the church.
5. Experiencing Christ-like Love
Think of a time when you experienced or witnessed Christ-like love within the church. How did it impact you or others around you?
6. Challenges in Loving Like Christ
What are some challenges we face in loving others as Christ loved us? How can we overcome these challenges with God’s help?
Barriers like pride, past hurts, or societal divisions can make love difficult. But through prayer and focusing on Christ’s example, we can grow in this love.
7. Witnessing Through Love in a Hostile World
As the world becomes increasingly less tolerant of our faith, how can our love for one another serve as a powerful witness to non-believers?
The church’s radical love should stand out in a world full of division. The early Christians’ love for each other astonished pagans. Today, this same love can draw people to Christ.
Practical Applications:
1. Intentional Acts of Love
This week, choose one person in your life (perhaps someone difficult to love) and intentionally show them Christ-like love through a specific action. Reflect on how it impacts your heart toward them.
2. Reflecting on Partiality
Reflect on areas where you might show partiality in your love for others. Ask God to help you love more impartially, modeling Jesus’ love for all people regardless of status, race, or background.
3. Church Community Action
Brainstorm ways your church can become more known for its love in the community. This could be through outreach, service, or creating spaces of belonging. Choose one idea and make a plan to implement it.
4. Meditate on the Cross
Meditate daily on John 13:31-35 and the glory of the cross. Ask God to deepen your understanding of Christ’s sacrificial love and let it transform how you love others.
Closing Prayer:
Thank God for His sacrificial love, demonstrated on the cross. Ask for His help in loving others as Christ loved us and for that love to shine as a powerful witness to the world. Surrender any obstacles to fully loving and pray for your church to be marked by this radical, Christ-like love.