2. Overview to resist temptations Empowers Empowers in right relationships Expressed Expressed as peace and joy Experienced Experienced as agape actions Explained Explained of Christian character Essence Essence LOVE

3. Lesson Overview How to express love: Model 1. Model Meaning 2. Meaning Method 3. Method

4. 1. Model 1. Love experienced 2. Love expressed 1

5. 2. Meaning revenge restraint It describes a person who has the power to exercise revenge but instead exercises restraint The quality of one who can endure difficult people or ill-treatment without losing his temper or lashing out in anger Patience

6. 2. MeaningCourageousCourteous SternSweet ToughTender ActionAttitudeGoodnessKindness

7. commitmentspeople,promises projects convenience The quality of one who follows through on his commitments to people, to promises and to projects even at the cost of personal comfort and convenience Faithfulness

8. 2. Meaning Love Expressed PatientTestedSufferingCalmKindTenderSweetCaringGoodToughSternCourageFaithfulTrueSteadfastCautious

9. 3. Method: Patience God models restraint without relationship or revenge weak 1. Bear with the weak wicked break with the wicked 2. With an abusive person, revenge … neither revenge relationship … nor relationshipPrinciples What practical steps would you suggest? What does it mean to be long- suffering with a(n) … -Abusive husband -Critical friend -Disappointing student -Irritating believer -Outspoken critic Case Studies

10. 3. Method: Kindness The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words pro-mote instruction (Prov 16:21). In your experience, is it true? Does it work?Instruction Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones (Prov 16: 24). In your experience, is it true? Does it work?Encouragement

11. 3. Method: Goodness He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favour than he who has a flattering tongue (Prov 28:13). In your experience, is it true? Does it work?Confrontation One man gives freely, yet gains even more. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed (Prov 11:24-25). In your experience, is it true? Does it work?Generosity

12. 3. Method: Faithfulness Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? … He who keeps his oath even when it hurts (Psa 15:1, 4). To Promises The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed (1 Sam 26:23). To People

13. Application Which of these issues has the Lord challenged you with today? Do you need to... Break with a wicked person? Bear with a weak person? Comfort a downcast person? Confront a wandering person? Keep a costly commitment?