CENTRAL THOUGHT
Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
HYMN: GRACIOUS SPRIT, HOLY GHOST.
TEXT: 1 Tim 4:12, 1 Cor 13:1-13
INTRODUCTION
Love is the attribute and nature of God. He demonstrated this love by giving His only begotten Son as a sacrificial lamb to reconcile us to Himself. God-kind of love is unconditional, sacrificial, and directed towards others. It involves selfless service to others. It goes against our natural inclinations.
In line with this, Apostle Paul admonished Timothy not to allow anyone to despise his youth, but that he should be an example in Love. In the same vein, the Corinthian believers were to earnestly desire the best gift which is the way of love (1 Cor. 12:31). Only with the help of the Holy Spirit can believers set their own desires and instincts aside to love, while expecting nothing in return. The believer’s love of God is seen in his/her obedience to God’s word and commitment to his/her brethren, for “he that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8). This study focuses on being an example of the believer in charity.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
- To understand the meaning of the word “Love”
- To identify the characteristics of true love
- To appreciate the various ways, we can demonstrate love to one another and the impact on our neighbors
- To understand the challenges people might face in showing love to others and how to overcome them
- To highlight the benefits of showing love.
BIBLE TRUTH
Q1. WHAT IS LOVE? (MARK 12:29-31 ; ACTS 4:32; 1 JOHN 4:16)
Some translations of the Bible render love as charity. Love is that attribute of God that expresses His concern for mankind and by extension requires that men show relate to one another with the same concern. Love is the utter commitment and devotion to God and to one another.
Believers are therefore expected to love God with the totality of their being (i.e. the heart, soul, mind, and strength), and to love others as themselves ( Mark 12: 29-31).
Q2. WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISITICS OF LOVE/ CHARITY?
( 1 COR. 13:4-8)
The characteristics of love as spelt out in the above scripture are as follows: “ Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth do not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth, but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail, whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. “God on His own part has amply demonstrated His love for mankind by offering His only begotten on as a supreme sacrifice for the redemption of mankind. This HE did while we were yet sinners ( Read John 8:16; Rom. 5:8)
Q3a.) USING THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES, IDENTIFY THE VARIOUS WAYS WE CAN DEMONSTRATE LOVE TO ONE ANOTHER
- Bearing one another’s burden Gal 6:1-10
… Bear ye one another’s burden, and so fulfill the law of Christ (v2). One of the areas we can demonstrate love to one another is by bearing other people’s burden. This can be in terms of prayers, encouragement, financial/ material assistance, visitation, etc.
- Showing concern for the well-being of others. Matt.
25:34-40; James 1:27; 2:14-17
We should be willing and ready to render help to others, as unto God, no matter the inconveniences.
- Restoring an erring brother. (Gal. 6:1)
- Being merciful to the needy. ( Prov 3:28; 14:31)
Q3b.) WHAT ARE THE LIKELY IMPACTS OF SHOWING LOVE TO OUR NEIGHBORS?
Showing love to our neighbors, despite some challenges faced in an attempt to do so, has a great impact in the life of the person, the receiver, and the society in general. It reveals the nature of the God that the believer serves, for God is love. It creates an atmosphere to preach Christ to the unbelievers and restoration to those who have fallen from the faith. It helps to relief them of their burdens and could go so far as to saving their lives.
Showing love to our neighbors also creates harmonious relationship, friendliness, and peace in the society. It helps to cover some areas of lack in people’s lives.
Q4. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REWARDS FOR SHOWING LOVE?
Heb. 6:10; Gal. 6:8-10; 1 Cor. 15:58; Matt. 25:34-36
The reward one receives for showing love cannot be quantified in terms of earthly blessings. It also has eternal blessings attached to it. God will not forget our labor of love.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
Love is indeed everything about God, for God is love. Practical love demonstrated attracts others to seek God in righteousness. Such love is selfless and sacrificial in nature. God commands us to love HIM with our entire being and to love others as ourselves.
MEMORY VERSE
1 John 4:7
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday: Charity suffers long. 1 Cor. 13:4-8
Tuesday: When you show love, you act as God. 1 John 4:1-8
Wednesday: Bear one another’s burdens. Gal. 6:1-10
Thursday: Be an example in loving others. 1 Tim. 4:12-15
Friday: Giving is an act of love. John 3:16-18
Saturday: There is reward for any love shown to others. Heb. 6:10; 1 Cor. 15:58