In The Great Commission, Jesus tells us to, “go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”. If I were to ask you, what is the most important thing that Jesus’ commanded, I wonder what you’d say? If you said ‘to love’ you’d be right.
Readings and reflections
1. Our memory verse this week is well worth the effort of memorising and ongoing meditation.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
George Orwell wrote, ‘Sometimes the first duty of intelligent men is the restatement of the obvious.’ So, I know it’s obvious, but what does Jesus command us to do?
What does love reveal us to be?
How is love powerful in evangelism?
2. Let’s be under no illusion, one cannot say I love God if we fail to obey His command to love God and others.
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever” (John 14:15-16)
“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” (John 14:21)
Who, according to Jesus, are the ones who love Him?
What will Jesus give to those who are seeking to love as He has commanded?
How does the Spirit help us in our goal to love God and others?
Let’s pray today for our love
It’s vital that we learn and then do what Jesus’ teaches. Therefore, let’s Pray, asking the Holy Spirit, “How do you want me to love you and show your love today?”
To memorise this week
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
To consider this week
Who are you praying for each day? Who, both inside and outside the church family, are you loving through faithful prayer each day?
COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - DISCIPLES ARE LEARNING TO LOVE LIKE JESUS
Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Suggested opener/Ice-breaker
When have you felt most loved in the last month and why?
Introduction - please share in your group
On Sunday we saw that a vital aspect of being a disciple of Jesus is that we learn to love like Jesus.
The main text for our message on Sunday, which is also our memory verse, was,
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
Love is a command, it's not optional for Christians. Love, a word often distorted, is to be defined by how Jesus has loved us. Jesus has loved us by leaving heaven and going to the cross for sinners - Love, therefore, is giving our lives for the good of others, particularly those who don't deserve it.
Love toward our church family (and this community group) is to be marked by sacrifice. Our love for the lost is to be marked by a willingness to serve and share our faith.
Discussion questions
1. Would you like to share anything that struck you or something that God spoke to you about from Sunday's message or the devotionals this week?
2. Please read John 13:34-35 and discuss:
i) In what ways can we practically express the love of Jesus to our church family? (Let's try and list as many as we can).
3) Please read Matthew 9:35-38 and discuss:
i) What did Jesus feel about lost people and why?
ii) What is plentiful and what does this mean?
iii) What is lacking and why do you think this is?
iv) How can we demonstrate Jesus' love to our neighbours and friends outside the church?
v) Finally, Who are you planning to invite to our carol service on the 20th?