Today’s Devotion
Topic: His Love Inspiring Ours – Part 1
Background: The word of God teaches best in LOVE than any other book that is, or is to be written. It seeks to draw attention to the simple fact that love is more of a responsibility than the sheer response to an emotional feeling towards a person or thing. It is more of a conscious effort to demonstrate support for another, just as God does, than the way we have made it. Sadly, most of us have reduced the practice of love to the conditional care we give to those we have good emotions and thoughts towards.
In this two-part self-assessment series, we seek to identify the true meaning of love: its source, demonstrations and benefits thereof. Kindly gather the family around as we discuss how the Love that God is ought to inspire ours towards Him and creation as a whole.
Text: 1 John 4: 7- 12
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. Amen
Questions:
1. What does it mean practically to say “let us love one another”?
2. Explain what the writer means by “love comes from God” in verse 7.
3. Do you agree with the statement; “Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love”? Explain your answer with practical illustrations please.
4. As far as the writer is concerned, how has God showed His love among us? (read vrs 9). Do you agree with his answer? Kindly explain why.
5. What is love? (vrs 10)
6. How should this basic truth regarding the demonstration of love in verse 10, influence our love for one another as mentioned in verse 11?
7. Read verse 12 again carefully. Explain to detail, with references from other scriptures, your full understanding of this verse.
viii. What have you learnt from today’s Bible study?
Next week, we will bring you Part 2 of our study. (You may read 1 John 4: 16b – 21 ahead of the discussion)
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