August 18, 2019

1 John 4:7-11

1. We started by going through 1 John 4:7 & one of the questions based off the first part of the verse was, “How do we love one another with an unconditional, selfless, sacrificial love?” Pastor Nate mentioned that we love by interceding for one another in prayer & being present with one another. So talk through how you can do these 2 things as a community group regularly & intentionally.

2. This same verse says, “for love is from God.” Why is it important to understand that God is the source & definer of love? How has knowing God & being known by God impacted the way in which you love? (See Romans 5:1-5)

3. Looking at the end of 1 John 4:7 & then 1 John 4:8, we see direct statements connecting knowing God with loving one another. Pastor Nate said, “One can’t claim to love God & fail to strive to love like God loves.” So what are ways you want to be more intentional in the way you seek to love other believers?

4. At the end of 1 John 4:8 it says, “because God is love.” Pastor Nate concluded that God’s love flows from his being & said, “God loves us not because of who we are, but because of who He is.” Why is that such good news?

5. Then in 1 John 4:9-10, we see 5 demonstrations of God’s love: Instigation, Incarnation, Salvation, Initiation, & Propitiation. How does each of these demonstrations highlight the love of God towards us?

6. We landed at 1 John 4:11 with application & saw that our love for one another is compelled by the gospel, by the news that “God so loved us.” As we wrap up the summer & prepare for the fall, how do you want to purpose yourself, your family, your community group to be saturated in gospel truth?