DNI-Faith Great Love Discussion Guide

DISSCUSION GUIDE

W e l co m e to yo u r Fa i t h D i s c u s s i o n G u i d e !

The love of Christ changes everything! It

It is God’s promise that as you continue

deeply loved by God. The struggle we have

to love each other and seek His wisdom in

in loving each other comes from an inability

your relationship, He will reveal Himself to

to know how greatly we are loved by God. We

you in beautiful ways. Cozy up and dive into

have to know we are loved to really live

what God has in store for you through some

with love.

changes what we do and who we are. We are to love just as Jesus loved because we are

honest discussion, reflection and prayer. Be sure to have your Bible handy. If you don’t

In the same manner, we can’t accept

have access to one, check out the Bible

someone unless we know we are

Gateway app available on your Apple or

fully accepted by God. We can’t love

Android device.

unconditionally unless we have received God’s unconditional love. We can’t give to

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others if we have not fully received the

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overwhelming gift of God’s love.

VISIT DATENIGHTINBOX.COM/GREAT-LOVE The love of Christ is what pushes us to actually love. Love is not what we intend to do. It is not feeling some emotional If you have accepted Christ into your life,

pull to help each other. Love is an action.

you have experienced the greatest love. It

It’s practical, not merely theoretical or

is the deepest, truest, purest love, directly

emotional. Love flows out of a heart that has

from its Creator. As you enjoy your date this

encountered the marvelous, abundant love of

evening, let’s pause and reflect on the true

Christ; “WALK IN LOVE, AS CHRIST LOVED US

source of love.

AND GAVE HIMSELF UP FOR US, A FRAGRANT

Simply put, all love comes from God because

(Ephesians 5:2).

OFFERING AND SACRIFICE TO GOD” God IS love. We can only give love if we’ve first received love. “ANYONE WHO DOES NOT

The love of Christ is what empowers us

LOVE DOES NOT KNOW GOD, BECAUSE GOD IS

to live like Christ! The more our lives are

LOVE” (1 John 4:8). John reveals that when we

centered and deeply rooted in Christ’s love

really know and experience God’s love in our

for us, the more we live to love others as

lives, it allows us to truly love each other.

Christ loved us. As this simple truth begins to reveal itself in our lives, the weight of

The love of Christ has the power to transform every aspect of our lives; it gives us both the power to love each other and a perfect example of how we are to love. This is why Jesus shares that it’s our love for others that will verify that we are followers of Christ. Only those who have experienced the love of Christ can live out the fullness of love.

trying to love with our own power is lifted.

If you ever wonder what it looks like to love, just look at how Jesus loved us. Jesus loved through applying His power, influence and resources to help meet every need we have.

He sacrificed what He deserved for the sake of serving us. He loved us when we did not deserve it and even when we ran from Him.

P r ay e r a n d R e f l e c t i o n TAKE A MOMENT TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS TOGETHER:

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Jesus influence how you love others?

He had all the power, all the authority; but He used all that He had to serve us. He gave His all to love us through it all. Love isn’t a

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one another’s burdens. Love means giving to one another without the guarantee of getting anything back. Love means giving others what they need, not what they deserve. Love involves our sacrificial actions, choices, behavior and commitments.

Too often we sit around waiting for a feeling of love to motivate us to serve our partners.

When that doesn’t happen, we conclude that God must not be calling us to love them because we don’t feel anything. As a result, we do nothing.

What would happen if we change that and just start loving? Loving regardless of how we might feel about each other; loving regardless of how unlovable they might seem. Actively and consistently just loving each other, no matter how difficult it might be. Not because they deserve our love, but because the love of Jesus is our motivation and example. Our decision to love is an act of loving obedience to what Jesus has called us to do. This is living a life of faith, not a life based on feelings.

Are you loving your partner as Jesus has loved you?

feeling. It’s a decision to place the needs of others before our own. Love means sharing

How does experiencing the love of

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If not, what is stopping you?

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How might you be able to love your partner with the love of Jesus?

This Great Love that Jesus has freely given us was meant to totally radicalize the way we interact with those around us. The beautiful part is that we don’t have to love others with our own power. The power to love comes from the same source that lets us experience the power of love.

Spend time praying that God will open your eyes to love others as Jesus has loved you.

If you aren’t sure where to start, pray these words.

“HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK YOU FOR OFFERING US THE GIFT OF LOVE THROUGH YOUR SON, JESUS. YOU HAVE MADE A WAY FOR US TO FREELY RECEIVE AND REFLECT YOUR LOVE IN THE LIVES OF EVERYONE THAT WE ENCOUNTER. WE PRAY THAT YOU WOULD HELP US TO BE OBEDIENT TO YOUR CALLING TO LOVE WHEN OUR FEELINGS ARE HOLDING US BACK. IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN.”

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