Session Three:

1
Session Three LOVE
2
LOVE

• Respond to the following statement from pages
  42-43 in SPLASH.
• Genuine love breaks down walls of resistance and
  prepares people to hear the good news that God
  loves them even in their sin and rebellion.
• Christs love compels us to share His love with
  others. God has given each of us the ministry
  of reconciliation and He has committed to us
  the ministry of reconciliation. That means we are
  to carry on the work of Christ, reconciling
  sinful man to a loving God.
• In order for us to carry on the ministry of
  reconciliation we need to understand more about
  love Gods love.

3
LOVE

• God is love. 1 John 47-9, 16
• All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two
  commandments. Matthew 2237-40
• In His farewell address Jesus indicates that love
  will characterize His disciples. John 1334-35

4
LOVE

• Love is not just a feeling. 1 Cor.134-7 Love is
  the character of God produced in our lives by the
  Holy Spirit.
• Romans 129-10 Love must be without hypocrisy.
• Paul lists meeting needs, practicing hospitality,
  blessing when persecuted, celebrating
  accomplishments of others, associating with the
  humble, doing good to your enemy.

5
LOVE

• Luke 1027-29 An expert of the law attempts to
  avoid the obvious implication of love by asking.
  Who is my neighbor? Jesus responds with story
  of Good Samaritan love in action.
• Who is your neighbor?
• In your small groups, make a list of people you
  should consider to be your neighbor.

6
Love the least lovely

• Luke 627-28 But I say to you who listen Love
  your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
  bless those who curse you, pray for those who
  mistreat you.
• Jesus leaves nothing to speculation. He speaks
  of turning the other cheek and giving the shirt
  when someone takes your coat.

7
Love the least lovely

• The penetrating question If you love those who
  love you, what credit is that to you? Luke 632

8
Learn from the Master

• Jesus treated an outcast woman at the well with
  respect and tenderness. He touched a leper. He
  wept over the death of His friend Lazarus and the
  unbelief of his friends. He went home with a tax
  collector and allowed a fallen woman to wash His
  feet with tears.

9
Learn from the Master

• When the woman taken in adultery was brought to
  Him, He turned all attention away from her
  nakedness, restoring her dignity. He then
  requires that she abandon sin.

10
Expression of love

• What is unique about the love of God?
• Which story in the Gospels most demonstrates
  Gods love to you?
• Look at Romans 129-21. List the concrete
  expressions of love enumerated by Paul.

11
Expression of love

• How do they provide an opportunity for
  evangelism?
• In the last session you identified persons who
  need Gods love. What concrete action will you
  take this week to show love?
• In your small group list ideas that your church
  and you individually can do to express love.