Friends,
Below are the scriptures that Ron preached on yesterday as well as some discussion questions. Again, I would only suggest using a sermon based Life Group model if a topic comes up on a Sunday that has been a good topic of discussion within your group either in your discussion or prayer times (or has been a topic that has been stumping people in your group). Otherwise, you can use this blog as a resource for yourself and your group on various topics as they arise in the reading.
-Kevin
RADICAL LOVE...
In John 13 Jesus says:
John 13:34 – I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. – NLT
- This is not a new commandment, in fact (as Ron mentioned) it was one of the most important commandments in the entire Old Testament. What is new about this commandment is that through the Holy Spirit, we have the capacity to be able to keep this commandment.
- In your group discuss the role of the Holy Spirit in keeping the commandments of God.
4 COMMITMENTS OF RADICAL LOVE:
1. Radical love chooses to respond peacefully.
Matthew 5:38-41 – You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. – NLT
- What are some ways that you can respond peacefully to others as you follow Jesus example of radical love?
2. Radical love chooses to forgive freely.
Matthew 6:14-15 – If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. – NLT
- This seems incredibly harsh and a bit unnerving if we have any sort of forgiveness in our lives.
- Why does Jesus make such a big deal about forgiveness?
- How does experiencing forgiveness from God help us to forgive others?
Matthew 5:43-45 – You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. – NLT
- What does enemy love look like in your life?
3. Radial love chooses to view others graciously.
Matthew 7:1-5 – Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye. – NLT
- How does the way that we judge others come back to play into our own judgement?
- Is there a difference between judging others and standing up for what is right and true? How does that difference play out?
- Should Christians hold other Christians to a certain level of commitment, or is that being judgmental?
4. Radical love chooses to serve sacrificially.
Matthew 7:12 – Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. – NLT
- The key in point for is the word "sacrificially."
- What does sacrificial service look like?
- What is the cost of sacrificial service?
- What is the reward of sacrificial service?
- Is the cost worth the reward?
- Which of these four key's of radical love to you feel most competent at?
- Which of them do you struggle with the most?
- What is one thing that you can do this week to grow in your capacity to experience and share the radical love that Jesus calls us to?
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