March 26 - April 1st
Theme:
“Love is not rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable…” 1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)
“Love doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle…” 1 Corinthians 13:5 (The Message)
Purpose of your Crazy Love Group: If the greatest of all is love, we need to have a clear understanding of what God expects in the realm of love. The goal is to be challenged to a higher standard of relationships.
What’s the verse we are using? 1 Corinthians 13:4-8,13 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails."…now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Themes for each week of the Crazy Love series:
• March 26/27: Love is not selfish and is other centered
• April 2/3: Love is not easily angered and keeps no records of wrongs
• April 9/10: Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth
• April 16/17: Love always trusts, protects, hopes, perseveres
Guidelines for your Group
1. Confidentiality: Whatever we share in the group stays in the group.
2. I statements: Speak about yourself; don’t share about someone else’s story.
3. Respect: Share your opinions and respect other people’s opinions.
4. Time: Show up on time or let someone know if you are running late.
5. Participate: Be willing to participate in the Acts of Love.
6. Mindfulness: Allow other people to speak; don’t dominate the time.
7. Fixing: Don’t try to fix someone; allow people their process.
8. Sharing: Be as honest as you feel capable of being about the topic.
9. Weekend: Try to come on the weekend for the 7 weeks to better prepare you for thelove group discussion.
10. Fun: Enjoy the people in your group and enjoy the journey God has you on concerning the topic.
Look Back (Looking Back over this past week)
• Review the covenant
• If you are new, make introductions, how long been attending the church and how you found it.
• What’s a hobby, talent or ability you are grateful to have in your life?
• If you could change your job/profession for one day, what would you like to try?
Look Up (Looking Up at God’s perspective)
Tim shared that when we are being rude & demanding it = Disrespect
“Show proper respect to everyone.” 1 Peter 2:17
• Do you agree and why?
Tim shared that displaying and demonstrating respect is important because
#1 At the core of it all…God made each and every one of us
“You (God) made man inferior only to yourself; you crowned him with glory and honor.” Psalm 8:5
#2 At the core of it all…Jesus Christ died for each and every one of us
“God paid a ransom to save you...He paid for you with the precious life-blood of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:18-19
#3 At the core of it all…this attitude shows I’m a follower of Jesus
“If a person isn’t loving and kind, it shows that he doesn’t know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:8
#4 At the core of it all…what I dish out, I will get back (And more than likely I won’t like it when someone does to me what I’ve been doing to them)
“A man’s harvest in life will depend entirely on what he sows.” Galatians 6:7
• Which of the 4 statements is most important to YOU when it comes to why you demonstrate respect?
Look In (Looking Into our my life.)
There were 5 practical things that it means to follow 1 Corinthians 13:5, “no rudeness & no demanding my way…”?
#1 When speaking to anyone...be tactful not just truthful
“What a joy it is find just the right word for just the right occasion!” Proverbs 15:33
“Kind words bring life but cruel words crush your spirit.” Proverbs 15:4
#2 When someone, anyone serves you...be understanding not demanding
“Do for other people what you want them to do for you.” Luke 6:31
“A wise, mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is.” Proverbs 16:21
#3 When disagreeing with someone...be gentle not judgmental
“So each of us will have to answer to God for what he has done. So we should stop judging each other. We must make up our minds not to do anything that will make a Christian brother sin.” Romans 14:12-13
#4 When sharing your faith in Jesus with someone...respect them don’t reject them
“Be tactful with those who are not Christians...Talk to them agreeably and with a flavor of wit, and try to fit your answers to the needs of each one.” Colossians 4:5-6
“If anybody asks you why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way.” 1 Peter 3:15-16
#5 When someone is rude to you...respond politely
“If someone does wrong to you, do not pay him back by doing wrong to him...Defeat evil by doing good.” Romans 12:17, 21
• Out of the 5 suggestions on living our 1 Corinthians 13:5 which statement is easiest for you and which is the most difficult and why?
Look Out (Taking a step to Look Out and do something about what I learned)
Spend time praying for the person on your right and pray for the area they shared that is most difficult from the question above.
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