No Greater Love, Part 1
To the degree that we don’t love God, we will love the things of this world.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
- What do you think of when you hear the word “love”? What is love? What is it not? What are some cultural perceptions about love? How do those differ from a biblical perspective?
- Read and discuss Deuteronomy 6:1-9, John 15:12-13. What does the text say? What does it mean? What should we do in light of this? How does it point us to Christ?
- In the context of The Bible Project video Pastor Mike showed, what is the significance of loving God “with all your heart” (Deuteronomy 6:5)?
- Why would God command us to fear, love, and obey Him?
- How does the gospel enable the impossible command to love God with all our heart?
- What is idolatry? How does not loving God lead to idolatry?
- How does the world disciple us and our children? What can we do to counteract that?
- Many followers of false religions are willing to lay down their lives for a lie. What examples can you think of? Why is it often so difficult for us as Christ-followers to live for the truth?
- Spend some time praying through Deuteronomy 6:1-9. Thank God for His great love toward us, expressed with eternal certainty in Christ Jesus.
“NO GREATER LOVE” FOCUS: TELLING YOUR STORY
An essential part of loving God is by sharing His love with those within your spheres of influence. One of the easiest and most natural ways of sharing His love is simply by telling others the story of how Jesus has impacted your life. Spend some time in your group articulating your story using the questions below as a starting point. The goal of this exercise is to be able to articulate and present a 3-5 minute version of your personal story/testimony as it relates to the gospel of Jesus. Use the following questions to begin writing out and refining your story:
- Who were you before Jesus?
- What characterized your life?
- What was happening in your relationships?
- What was going on in your heart?
- Where there behaviors that evidenced a life without Christ?
- How did you come to know and love Jesus?
- What were the circumstances that led a gospel presentation to you?
- Who were the people involved?
- What was going on your heart and mind?
- What was the moment of decision like?
- What are the relevant scriptures that were a part of this journey?
- How are you different after coming to know and love Jesus?
- How has your heart and mind changed?
- How has your behavior changed?
- What disciplines and practices
- How are your relationships different?
As time allows in your group, present your story and give/receive feedback.