2023 May 10  | World Changers: Love Me, Love Others

SMALL GROUP MATERIAL

Inward Prayer

Small Group Questions:

    1. What do you love most in the world?
    2. How would you describe love?
    3. Why is love central to God and essential for our lives?
    4. The gospel is this: GOD LOVES YOU AND WANTS TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU! But if you accept that good news, there’s hard news. In the same way Jesus died for you, you have to die for him. If you accept him as Lord and not just as Saviour, you have to die to your will, die to your way, die to your desires, and die to your agenda. How do you respond to this understanding of the gospel?
    5. What does real love look like in your circles?

Outward Prayer

MESSAGE NOTES

THE MAIN POINT

Disciples of Jesus are known by their love for God and for others.

THE BIBLE

John 13:35, Luke 9:23-27, 1 John 4:7-21

THE CONTEXT

The definition of love cannot be found outside of God (1 John 4). God is love, and all good things come from God. God’s identity as a community of love represented in the Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) is mirrored when humans choose to live in a community of love as well.

The perfect example of love is found in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. THE GOSPEL.

The gospel is this: GOD LOVES YOU AND WANTS TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU!

But if you accept that good news, there’s hard news. In the same way Jesus died for you, you have to die for him. If you accept him as Lord and not just as Saviour, you have to die to your will, die to your way, die to your desires, and die to your agenda.

To be a world changer means loving like Jesus, which is impossible without Jesus. To be a follower of Jesus means loving God and loving others. Building a reputation of spending time with those who are far from God and ignored by society. Disciples of Jesus are known for their love for God and for others.

THE CORE

As you prepare the core of the message using personal story and questions keep in mind these points:

  • We can’t give what we don’t have. Do your listeners know the love of God?
  • Following Jesus means literally obeying him, and giving your next yes to Jesus.
  • Love transforms our lives, our circles, and our world.

THE APPLICATION

As you prepare the application, challenge and/or encouragement, keep in mind these points:

  • How can we love like Jesus?
  • How can we love when we don’t want to?
  • What does real love look like on the daily?