welcome
When was the last time you sinned/did something wrong? What have you done about it? This is obviously quite a hard hitting question (and not very welcoming!) so only use this if you don’t have new people.
worship
Some people think that the literal translation of the Greek “to worship” (proskuneo) involves the idea of kissing! Spend a bit of time talking about kissing; what it means and the kind of feelings it evokes; how it might apply to worship (e.g. tenderness, vulnerability, passion) and then use this as a basis for worshipping God.
word
Love is a word used very loosely today. We apply it to our favourite restaurant, brand or leisure activity. We speak of someone ‘falling in love’ as if love were something that just happens to you – something which you can’t help. Many people also believe that it is just as easy to fall out of love if something else or someone else now tickles your fancy.
But the word ‘love’ in the Bible is a much richer and nobler word. ‘Agape’ love is the love God has for all his creation. It is strong and constant and active. It is not merely a warm, glowing feeling: God’s love always expresses itself in activity: reaching out, helping, blessing, sacrificing himself on behalf of those he loves. As someone once said, "love is an active verb."
Love is to be the distinguishing mark of Christians.
read
John 13:34-35 and John 15:12-13
question
What kind of love demonstrates that we are truly God’s disciples?
group work
Paul also emphasises the preeminence of love in 1 Corinthians 13.
Look at verses 1-3 and 8-10. Think about each thing that Paul says love is greater than. What difference should this make to your attitudes?
Look at verses 4-7. Before the group meets, the leader should pick out the descriptive words from this passage (patient, kind, not envious, etc) and write them on a large sheet of paper and then cut between them, making a big jig-saw. At the meeting, give one or two pieces of the jigsaw to each member and ask them to think of practical illustrations for each one from your life at university. Then share together, gradually forming the jigsaw.
application
1 Corinthians 13:13 says that the greatest goal is that we be filled with love.
Who do you find it difficult to love and in what situations is it difficult to love? Pray for each other about these specific things, that God’s love may fill your hearts. You may want to hold some of the words from the group work that symbolise the characteristics of love.
witness
Discuss what effect it would have on your friends if they knew the love of God. What aspects can you demonstrate to them this week? Pray for them now.
