Stick with Love April 26

Think about it … What are the marks of a true friendship? True friendship will be marked by an attitude of Christ like love – Today we study Jesus’ words about love from John 15.

Grounded in God’s Love What kind of skill have you learned by watching someone else repeatedly perform the skill? How was this method of learning more effective than just reading a book about the skill? Listen for How Christ teaches us by His example.

John 15:9-10 (NIV) "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.

Grounded in God’s Love How does Christ teach us by example? What appeal did Jesus make in these verses? What evidence does Jesus mention about abiding in Christ’s love?

Grounded in God’s Love How would you describe the connection between “remaining in love” and “obeying commandments”? What does this passage tell us about God’s design for our class, our church?

Listen for how to have joy. John 15:11-12 (NIV) I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Mirror Jesus’ Love According to verse 11, what blessing will we receive if we truly love and obey? In what ways does this happen? How is God’s joy manifested in you? How is it made complete? How does our joy or lack of joy impact our relationships with others?

Mirror Jesus’ Love When do you struggle with loving others the way Jesus has loved you? Who have been major influences in your life because they have loved you with a love like the love of Christ? How has their love made a difference for you?

Listen for the greatest demonstration of love. John 15:13 – 16 (NIV) [13] Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command. [15] I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends,

Listen for the greatest demonstration of love. for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. [16] You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Love Demands Sacrifice According to Jesus what was the greatest expression of love? What does it mean for a person to “lay down his life”? What does it mean to be “friends” with Jesus? When have you experienced the power of sacrificial love?

Love Demands Sacrifice What opportunities do you have to “lay down your life” for others? Note the contrasts Jesus makes between servants and friends (He calls us friends). ServantsFriends

Love Demands Sacrifice Do you remember as a child when they would choose up sides for a game … were you ever the last one chosen? You weren’t even chosen, the person with last choice had to take you. How did you feel? It says here that God chose us … to be His friends! For what other purpose did God choose us?

Application Ask God to show you where you are holding back your love in any of your relationships – Read our Scripture passage again, John 15:9-16 and identify a verse that speaks to you about your attitude – Confess to God any lack of love on your part – Surrender to God’s Spirit who will produce the Spiritual Fruit of love

Application Think of someone in your life who may feel unloved – Offer a gift to show your love for him or her – Attach a note expressing God’s love and your love for that person

Application Sacrifice something – Give up something this week that hinders a relationship from being strong – Use that time or energy instead to build up that relationship

Stick with Love April 26