August 14, 2017
The Text: Read John 15:9-17
Jesus commands his disciples to love, to love well, and to love as he does. He tells his disciples that He learned to love from His Father and that they have now been shown how to love by Him. The way the disciples are to show love to one another is though obeying the commands of God and laying down their lives. This costly kind of love comes with a great three fold reward.
Discuss:
How does Jesus define love?
Can you think of any other commands from God that come with promised rewards?
What do you think the disciples would have been thinking when Jesus called them friends and not servants?
Respond:
What does laying down ones life look like in your opinion?
Why is the command to love as Jesus loved so important to follow? How are you doing at obeying this command?
One reward for loving like Jesus is complete joy. Do you currently experience this reward in your life? Explain.
One reward for loving like Jesus is friendship with your savior. Do you currently experience this reward in your life? Explain.
5. One reward for loving like Jesus is answered prayer. Do you currently experience this reward in your life? Explain.
Prayer
God thank you for showing us true love in the form of your Son Jesus. Give us grace and strength to love as you love. Help us love in such a way as to change the world around us.