Key Text: And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” (1 John 4: 21)
The Student Will:
Know: Understand that God’s love compels us to love our brothers and sisters.
Feel: Experience freedom from doubt and guilt, which can damage our relationships.
Do: Put God’s love into practice in relationships within our spiritual family.
Lesson Outline:
Know: A Loveless Life Is Not an Option
1. The saying goes, “Love makes the world go round,” but a glance at the news headlines shows a distinct lack of love. How does this stack up with the transforming love of God?
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him? In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. [1]
When we respond to God with love, we also love our brothers and sisters. We can have assurance of God’s mercy in judgment if we know we genuinely love our brothers and sisters. In loving God and loving our brothers and sisters, we are fulfilling God’s commandments. This love results in confidence in our relationship with God and no fear of judgment. [2]
2. The Cross is a filter that helps put things in the right perspective. How does it help us understand the nature of God’s love and help us to return that love?
Jesus is the Son of God and the Christ and became the atoning sacrifice for our sins and the Savior of the world. Only through Him and what He did for us can the love of God be understood in a deeper sense. That is, only as we understand what happened at the cross and how Christ bore in Himself the punishment for our sins can we come to love God as we should.[3]
3. Define “love” by using biblical examples to show what it is and what it is not.
Jesus laid down His life for us. The Father sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice. He sent Him to be the Savior of the world. This is the deepest meaning of love. Love means to do whatever is necessary to help others, even if it includes self-sacrifice. Hence, what a contrast to what Cain did to his brother. Love also means to forgive and to forget the past. In Jesus’ case, it meant complete self-denial for the good of others. But love is not a mere spectacle to be observed. It must have an impact on others’ lives. The best definition of love is the character and work of the Godhead as revealed in the plan of salvation, with Jesus giving Himself for us. Christian love has its source in the love of God. To abide in love means to enjoy an intimate relationship with God. There is no love in the biblical sense that ultimately does not come from God. [4]
Therefore, love is not hatred, it is not selfishness, it is not indifference, and it is not insensitivity to the need of others.
Feel: Freedom to Love
4. If we experience and are filled with God’s love, how will this be demonstrated in our relationships?
John is not content to theorize about love. He lets us know that God wants us to put love into practice. Therefore he states that hate is incompatible with a loving attitude, and it is even a form of murder. He says, too, that we should not love with words alone but with actions. A church member is in need. Others have the means to help him or her but do not do anything other than say some nice things to that person. That’s not enough. God not only informed us that He loves us, He sent His Son to die in our place. People who love much do much, because real love is active.[5]
5. Hate and negative feelings can limit our capacity to love. How can we deal with them?
How important to remember that God is greater than we are, greater than our guilt, greater than our hearts. How crucial that we realize, day by day, that our hope of salvation must rest on Jesus and His work in our behalf. Only by leaning on Him, on His merits and not on our own, can we have confidence and assurance. Confidence is emphasized several times in 1 John. John wants believers to be confident when they approach God in prayer, confident before the reality of Christ’s coming, and confident about the divine judgment. God means well for us, His children. Being grounded in His love drives away all fear.[6]
By genuinely loving our brother we may know that we are children of the truth, or of God. This knowledge will enable us to stand confidently in the presence of God, for even though our heart condemns us, since we are still sinners, we know that God is greater than our heart, His knowledge and understanding far surpass our own, and He is able to perceive our sincerity and to allow for the mistakes into which we fall.[7]
Do: Practical Love
6. What difference would it make to our church if every member showed true love in the home and in the church? What can you do to contribute to making this a reality?
You should get rid of your cold, frozen formality as soon as possible. You need to cultivate feelings of tenderness and friendliness in your everyday life. You should exhibit true courtesy and Christian politeness. The heart that really loves Jesus loves those for whom He died. Just as truly as the needle points to the pole, so will the true follower of Christ, with a spirit of earnest labor, seek to save souls for whom Christ has given His life. Working for the salvation of sinners will keep the love of Christ warm in the heart and will give that love a proper growth and development. [8]
Summary: The plan of salvation demonstrates God’s love for sinners. We have a responsibility to show that love to others.
The Student Will:
Know: Understand that God’s love compels us to love our brothers and sisters.
Feel: Experience freedom from doubt and guilt, which can damage our relationships.
Do: Put God’s love into practice in relationships within our spiritual family.
Lesson Outline:
Know: A Loveless Life Is Not an Option
1. The saying goes, “Love makes the world go round,” but a glance at the news headlines shows a distinct lack of love. How does this stack up with the transforming love of God?
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him? In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. [1]
When we respond to God with love, we also love our brothers and sisters. We can have assurance of God’s mercy in judgment if we know we genuinely love our brothers and sisters. In loving God and loving our brothers and sisters, we are fulfilling God’s commandments. This love results in confidence in our relationship with God and no fear of judgment. [2]
2. The Cross is a filter that helps put things in the right perspective. How does it help us understand the nature of God’s love and help us to return that love?
Jesus is the Son of God and the Christ and became the atoning sacrifice for our sins and the Savior of the world. Only through Him and what He did for us can the love of God be understood in a deeper sense. That is, only as we understand what happened at the cross and how Christ bore in Himself the punishment for our sins can we come to love God as we should.[3]
3. Define “love” by using biblical examples to show what it is and what it is not.
Jesus laid down His life for us. The Father sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice. He sent Him to be the Savior of the world. This is the deepest meaning of love. Love means to do whatever is necessary to help others, even if it includes self-sacrifice. Hence, what a contrast to what Cain did to his brother. Love also means to forgive and to forget the past. In Jesus’ case, it meant complete self-denial for the good of others. But love is not a mere spectacle to be observed. It must have an impact on others’ lives. The best definition of love is the character and work of the Godhead as revealed in the plan of salvation, with Jesus giving Himself for us. Christian love has its source in the love of God. To abide in love means to enjoy an intimate relationship with God. There is no love in the biblical sense that ultimately does not come from God. [4]
Therefore, love is not hatred, it is not selfishness, it is not indifference, and it is not insensitivity to the need of others.
Feel: Freedom to Love
4. If we experience and are filled with God’s love, how will this be demonstrated in our relationships?
John is not content to theorize about love. He lets us know that God wants us to put love into practice. Therefore he states that hate is incompatible with a loving attitude, and it is even a form of murder. He says, too, that we should not love with words alone but with actions. A church member is in need. Others have the means to help him or her but do not do anything other than say some nice things to that person. That’s not enough. God not only informed us that He loves us, He sent His Son to die in our place. People who love much do much, because real love is active.[5]
5. Hate and negative feelings can limit our capacity to love. How can we deal with them?
How important to remember that God is greater than we are, greater than our guilt, greater than our hearts. How crucial that we realize, day by day, that our hope of salvation must rest on Jesus and His work in our behalf. Only by leaning on Him, on His merits and not on our own, can we have confidence and assurance. Confidence is emphasized several times in 1 John. John wants believers to be confident when they approach God in prayer, confident before the reality of Christ’s coming, and confident about the divine judgment. God means well for us, His children. Being grounded in His love drives away all fear.[6]
By genuinely loving our brother we may know that we are children of the truth, or of God. This knowledge will enable us to stand confidently in the presence of God, for even though our heart condemns us, since we are still sinners, we know that God is greater than our heart, His knowledge and understanding far surpass our own, and He is able to perceive our sincerity and to allow for the mistakes into which we fall.[7]
Do: Practical Love
6. What difference would it make to our church if every member showed true love in the home and in the church? What can you do to contribute to making this a reality?
You should get rid of your cold, frozen formality as soon as possible. You need to cultivate feelings of tenderness and friendliness in your everyday life. You should exhibit true courtesy and Christian politeness. The heart that really loves Jesus loves those for whom He died. Just as truly as the needle points to the pole, so will the true follower of Christ, with a spirit of earnest labor, seek to save souls for whom Christ has given His life. Working for the salvation of sinners will keep the love of Christ warm in the heart and will give that love a proper growth and development. [8]
Summary: The plan of salvation demonstrates God’s love for sinners. We have a responsibility to show that love to others.
___________________________________________________
1 1 John 4: 16, 17
2. Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. pp. 97
3. Ibid.; pp 90
4. Ibid.; pp 92
5. Ibid; pp 96
6. Ibid.; pp 94
7. The SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, pp 656
8. Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, pp. 46
1 1 John 4: 16, 17
2. Adult Bible Study Guide 2009: 3rd Quarter, Teachers Edition. pp. 97
3. Ibid.; pp 90
4. Ibid.; pp 92
5. Ibid; pp 96
6. Ibid.; pp 94
7. The SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, pp 656
8. Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, pp. 46
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