Love II: Part 1 of 2

Preview: The role of love in our salvation. This is the first of a two-part lesson on this subject. 


Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 13:1-13. 

Memory Verse: I Corinthians 14:1. 

1. How can we conclude from the foregoing Scriptures that spiritual gifts are essential to the Church but without charity they are not functional? 
Note: Charity means giving or sharing. This is the kind of love that Christ has for mankind. He gave His life. 
2. What did Jesus say is the greatest declaration of love? John 15:13. 
3. How do we know that God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ exercised this kind of love? John 3:16-17 & Romans 5:6 & Romans 5:8. 
4. How did Paul describe the workings of spiritual gifts when they are activated by love? Romans 12:6-14 & Romans 12:20-21. 
5. What two laws are necessary to make all of the rest of the Commandments work? Matthew 22:35-40. 
6. How new were these Commands? John 13:34, I John 2:7-8 & II John 1:5-6. 
7. What did God command us to do toward our fellowman long before Christ came? Leviticus 19:18, Leviticus 19:34, Deuteronomy 6:5 & Deuteronomy 10:12-13. 
Note: These love Commandments were from the beginning. Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden because they loved themselves more than God. Jesus made the meaning new. He made love a living experience. He is love, and He has promised to dwell in us through the Holy Spirit. All of the rest of the Commandments hinge on these two. Without love nothing else works. 
8. How do we know that He will live in us? John 14:15-18, John 14:23, I John 4:16 & Revelation 3:20. 
9. What will He do for us when we abide in Him? John 15:7-8. 
10. How is it possible to abide in the love of God without being obedient to His Commandments? Discuss. John 15:10-12. 
Note: Charity is unselfish, kind, considerate of others, obedient to authority, etc. but we cannot experience this kind of love apart from God, for God is love. I John 4:8. 

To Be Continued… 

Other Lessons* in this series: 

Love II: Part 1 of 2 
Love II: Part 2 of 2 

*Lessons in a series may not necessarily be in the same category.