Message—Loving Like Jesus
Week of January 18, 2009

Thematic Focus
We learn the most in life by following the best examples. Learn how to see love through the eyes of Jesus and to follow His example.

Main Points
Following Jesus' example means:

1. Accepting others as He accepts me
2. Valuing others as He values me
3. Forgiving others as He forgives me
4. Believing in others as He believes in me

Summary Points
The faith journey is about seeking God and the goal is to walk as Jesus did. God wants us to do for others what he has done for us.

Scriptural Lenses:
· 1 Corinthians 13
· John 13:1-17, 34-35
· John 8:1-11
· Romans 15:7
· 1 Timothy 4:4
· Colossians 3:13
· Hebrews 10:24

Pursuing clarity
Use the following structure to guide your discussion:

Opening Prayer
Take a moment to recognize Christ’s presence among you.

Opening Question
What makes God's unconditional love for us so amazing? Explain

Scriptural Focus
Select a Scripture you would like to focus on.

Group Discussion
Use these questions to begin your discussion:

1. How does God's love compare with a parent's love? Similar? Different?
2. Name some practical ways to show acceptance to people.
3. How can we encourage people and help them overcome their doubts and fears?
4. Describe in your own words what it means to be "God's workmanship."
5. How does forgiveness reflect how we see ourselves? What reason could we have for not forgiving someone? What is the best way to work through forgiving someone?
6. When we think of helping people, we usually think in material ways. What are some ways we can help people spiritually! Would your help to others be expressed in words or deeds?
7. Who can you demonstrate a greater level of trust in this week?

Adjusting Focus
Take time to assess how you are doing with your love:

Who do you need to show acceptance to like Christ accepts you?

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Who do you need to value more like Christ values you?

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Who do you need to offer forgiveness to like Christ forgives you?

___________________________________________

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Who do you need to believe in and trust like Christ believes in and trusts you?

___________________________________________

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Maintaining Focus
Read Ephesians 3:14-21. How is God's Spirit prompting you to understand and view love differently? Given your time of reflection or group discussion, identify a step you would like to take to advance in your faith journey:

____________________________________________

Closing Prayer
Take time at the close of your time together to pray for God’s assistance in the journey. Depending on how comfortable group members feel, here are some ways you could pray:

· Write out a personal prayer.
· Have the group facilitator or a designated member of the group pray.
· Have members of the group get into a smaller group to pray for one another.
· Have several members of the group pray aloud and then conclude.

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