Storm Strong Families – Study #3
Storm Strong Families Love Well (part 1)
Ephesians 5:1 Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love
Today’s teaching offered this principle: When a Jesus-centered family – one that gladly fears the Lord – commits to humbly loving God and loving others, it is remarkably storm strong.
Did you have a highlight from MOTHER’S DAY (yesterday)? In what way did you honor a mother in your life?
Let’s get STARTED – Discuss the major hurdles in…
· Shaping a “Jesus-centered” family: How would you explain that phrase? What does a Jesus-centered family look like?
· Shaping a “we fear the Lord” family: How would you explain that phrase? What did you learn last week from the verses in Proverbs which spoke of “the fear of the Lord”?
Let’s EXPLORE in the WORD This week’s teaching was on families that together love well.
Review the different kinds of love that the early New Testament world were aware of (see Chart)
Kinds of Love
EROS – sexual or passionate love (inherent blindness in this)
PHILIA – friendship, goodwill love (significant interests shared)
STORGE – family love (parent<>child, sibling<>sibling)
AGAPE – chosen, self-sacrificing love (not feeling-dependent)
LUDUS – playful, uncommitted love (casual, undemanding)
PRAGMA – a practical, enduring love (founded on reason, duty)
PHILAUTIA – self-love (healthy or unhealthy), often excessive
Dr. Neel Burton
For Better For Worse: Should I Get Married
1) Do each of these “loves” have their place in…
· The life of a disciple of Jesus?
· The relationship of marriage?
· The shaping of a family?
2) Most often, the New Testament calls on us to “agape” love God, one another, and even those outside the family of God.
· Review these passages together:
oDeuteronomy 6:4-6
oPsalm 31:23-24
oRomans 12:9-11
oEphesians 5:1-2
Take a moment to read 1 John 3-4
Also 1 Corinthians 13…What do you hear the Holy Spirit saying to you as you read these passages?
Do you think “agape” love truly characterizes the Christ Community Church family? What evidences of this do you see and/or experience? How could our love be more consistently expressed…and toward whom?
Let’s Prioritize APPLICATION – This week’s teaching offered this:
What is AGAPE loving? It is someone who is very aware of what someone else truly needs. It is someone who chooses to give of themselves to meet that need…often at extra-mile effort and personal cost…without trumpets blowing or the camera’s rolling. Usually out of a response of spending time with God. Which leads to seeing a need and choosing, often sacrificially, to meet that need.
Is there anyone the Spirit is identifying whom you could love in a fresh, “agape” way? Will you?