Remarkable #2: I love you – words that transform
Words that have the power to bring new life – I love you
Icebreaker: Can you recall a time that someone unexpectedly said kind words to you? How did it make you feel?
In our current sermon series, Remarkable, we are looking at the Book of Proverbs to find wise principles that have the power to bring new life. Practicing these principles can renew our relationships with God and others.
This week’s Proverbs verses discuss the principle of love.
Proverbs 3:3-4: 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
1. What is love according to God? (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 – Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
2. How important is love to God? (see 1 John 4:7-8)
1 John 4:7-8 – Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
3. How does the world’s understanding or actions differ from God’s definition of love?
4. How does our steadfastness to love and faithfulness benefit us?
5. How might it benefit others?
John 21:10-19 (After the resurrection)
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples after He was raised from the dead. 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “You know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time He said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Feed My sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow Me!”
6. Why would Jesus ask Peter if he loved him? (see John 13:34-38, John 15:3)
John 13:34-38 – 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 36 Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” 37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for Me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times!
John 15:3 – Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
7. Although Peter said he loved Jesus, how do you think he felt after he realized that he had denied Christ three times?
8. In the John 21:10-19 passage, how did God reach out to Peter? What example did Jesus provide of the kind of love He expected from His disciples (from us)?
9. How does it make you feel when you sin (which is like denying Christ)? How does it cause separation between you and God?
10. How does it make you feel knowing that Jesus loves you, forgives you, and accepts you as His own?
11. With Christ as our example, how can we show love to someone who sins against us? (1 John 4:19, Galatians 6:1-2)
1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.
Galatians 6:1–2 1Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
In Pastor Brian’s Sermon, he challenges us to try three “I Love You Challenges” to show and express your love for each other.
- Make your expression of love a regular practice
- Make your expression of love unconditional
- Make your expression of love specific
In the next few questions consider a particular person to whom you would like to apply this challenge. You may want to begin with someone with whom you have regular and normal contact.
12. What are things you can do as a regular practice in your personal relationships to demonstrate your love to that person?
13. What would unconditional love look like in this relationship? What, if anything, would you need to change on your side to show that person unconditional love?
14. What are the specific things you love about that person that you could compliment them on?