The Whole Love Thing

Monday, September 10                                                          1 John 4:7-12
What do you think it means that "God is love?" How does this verse say God showed His love for us? How does this help define love as an action instead of a feeling?

What does this verse say is the right response to God's love? How do you suppose God's love is "made complete" when we truly love one another? What does that say about God? About us? Another translation says that God's love is "brought to full expression" when we love one another. What does that add?

Tuesday, September 11                                                                John 3:16-21
This passage has been seen in so many end zones that we've almost become anesthetized to it. But take a moment to really ponder verse 16. What more could God have done to show how much He loves us? What was the purpose of God coming to live among us, according to this passage?

Why do you think some people run from God? Why do you? Read verses 19-21. Where have you observed the truth in these passages? What does verse 21 say about how we come into the light? Who is the driver of living in the light?

Wednesday, September 12                                                                 Psalm 136, 139
What is the refrain in psalm 136? What does that refrain say to you? What is the context of the psalm, and why do you think the author felt compelled to repeat that phrase over and over again?

Read psalm 139, taking note of the imagery used to describe the way in which God interacts with us. What jumps out at you about the language and descriptions used? When you read it, is God a gentle, loving father-figure, or an overlord? Why? From the first perspective, is the picture/language changed?

Thursday, September 13                                                                1 Corinthians 13:1-13
This is a great passage on love-perhaps the greatest description every given. If God is love, then how is this passage descriptive of Him? How does that inform the way you think God thinks about you? What does it say about God that His love is perfectly like this?

How is this love appealing to you? How are you doing at living this kind of love out in your relationships? Pick one area that you think God might be challenging you to be more loving toward others.

Friday, September 14                                Matthew 22:36-37; 1 John 3:18; John 15:9-12
What is the primary job that we have as Christians, according to these passages? How would you finish this sentence: God has poured out His love on us so that _______?

Spend some time today asking God if there is anyone in particular that you should spend some time praying for and investing in in a way that demonstrates this kind of lo