The Advent of Love
December 17 | DNA Guide
Be Real Together:
Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together. Trust and friendship take time to build. If you’re launching a new DNA, one person should tell their story — what do we need to know about you? Next week, have another person in your DNA share their story.
Read Together: 1 Corinthians 13
In this passage, the apostle Paul describes the supremacy and characteristics of Agape love, a self sacrificing love.
If we don’t love God and our neighbor, then it doesn’t matter what we say or how we present it, the words will still be empty. Paul says that even if someone possesses spiritual gifts, eloquent speech, or sacrificial actions, without love, these efforts are empty and meaningless (verses 1-3). When we understand what love looks like, we are not fooled by imitations.
Then Paul describes what love looks like in community. The Love of God is described in a collection of various virtues like patience and kindness and it’s free from things like selfishness and arrogance. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth, always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres (verses 4-7).
(Verses 8-13) tell how love transforms us and causes us to grow. Paul contrasts the enduring nature of love with the temporary nature of spiritual gifts, prophecies, and knowledge, emphasizing that love is the greatest and most lasting virtue. Love is not a gift that someone has and another doesn’t. It’s useful for everyone at all times. The most powerful kind of love that was ever displayed came as Jesus lived and died for us. It was out of love that Jesus saved you and me.
If we don’t love God and our neighbor, then it doesn’t matter what we say or how we present it, the words will still be empty. Paul says that even if someone possesses spiritual gifts, eloquent speech, or sacrificial actions, without love, these efforts are empty and meaningless (verses 1-3). When we understand what love looks like, we are not fooled by imitations.
Then Paul describes what love looks like in community. The Love of God is described in a collection of various virtues like patience and kindness and it’s free from things like selfishness and arrogance. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth, always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres (verses 4-7).
(Verses 8-13) tell how love transforms us and causes us to grow. Paul contrasts the enduring nature of love with the temporary nature of spiritual gifts, prophecies, and knowledge, emphasizing that love is the greatest and most lasting virtue. Love is not a gift that someone has and another doesn’t. It’s useful for everyone at all times. The most powerful kind of love that was ever displayed came as Jesus lived and died for us. It was out of love that Jesus saved you and me.
The One Question:
Ask this question at your family meal or DNA.
How does the passage guide us to build and maintain healthy relationships within the church community?
Grow Together:
Use these questions to go deeper with your DNA or for personal study.
1. In verse 13, why is love considered greater than faith and hope?
2. How do the qualities of love in verses 4-7 compare to our common perceptions of love?
3. How might applying the principles of love in 1 Corinthians 13 transform the way you approach a challenging relationship in your life?
4. How does humility play a role in expressing and receiving love?
5. How can we cultivate the qualities of love (verses 4-7 ) in our relationships?
2. How do the qualities of love in verses 4-7 compare to our common perceptions of love?
3. How might applying the principles of love in 1 Corinthians 13 transform the way you approach a challenging relationship in your life?
4. How does humility play a role in expressing and receiving love?
5. How can we cultivate the qualities of love (verses 4-7 ) in our relationships?
Pray Together:
Take time to pray with and for each other.
Deeper Study:
Enduring Word Commentary: 1 Corinthians 13