one_anothering___love_one_another.mp4PRAY:
Have someone read 1 Peter 4:8 aloud. After you read it, spend a minute or two silently reflecting on the passage. Then spend some time praying as a group for anything that 1 Peter 4:8 draws to your mind or stirs up in your heart.
ASK:
- What comes to mind when you think of the word love?
- How have you experienced love within the church? Do you feel that the church is excelling in love or lacking in love? Give some examples.
- How is the love you experience in the church different from the love you experience with family or close friends? Do you think these differences are positive or negative?
READ:
“The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists in listening to them. Just as love of God begins with listening to his word, so the beginning of love for others is learning to listen to them. It is God’s love for us that he not only gives us his word but also lends us his ear.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
ASK:
- What stands out to you from this quote?
- Why is listening to one another so important?
- How are you affected when you feel truly listened to by another person? How are you affected when you feel unheard or ignored?
READ:
SHARE:
- What are some examples of love that we see in Jesus?
- Do you think it is possible for us to love in the same way as Jesus? What are some steps we can take to grow in Christlike love for one another?
- Why do you think Jesus sees loving one another as the primary identifier of his disciples? What things, aside from love, do we tend to elevate as the primary mark of a follower of Jesus?
- How does a consumer posture (coming only to receive, not to give) weaken love within the church? In what ways do you see a consumer posture in your own life? What are some steps we can take to correct this posture in our own lives?
- How does a critical posture (constantly judging mistakes in the church or individuals) weaken love within the church? In what ways do you see a critical posture in your own life? What are some steps we can take to correct this posture in our own lives?
- How does a warrior posture (needing to convince others that you are right) weaken love within the church? In what ways do you see a warrior posture in your own life? What are some steps we can take to correct this posture in our own lives?
- How does a servant posture (the posture of Jesus) strengthen love within the church? Can you recall a time that someone loved you by serving you? Was it easy or challenging to accept that act of love?
ONE ANOTHERING:
Try to think of some practical needs you can share to give others the opportunity to step up and love you. It's okay if it takes some time to get comfortable with this. It takes time and practice to be vulnerable with one another... but amazing things happen when we are.
● How can we love or serve one another this week?
PRAY:
End your time by having someone read Philippians 2:1-11 aloud. Spend some time silently reflecting on this passage before you close in prayer.