Bgroup Lesson May 11
Big Idea: Every religion on earth has a chief goal or objective that should be realized in those who practice that religion. For those in Judaism it’s faithfulness. Hindus hope for liberation. Buddhists are to achieve awakening. Islamic followers are to become submissive. But for Christianity our supreme goal is love! If we are loveless and failing to walk in love, then Christianity hasn’t truly taken root in our hearts. Love is the tangible proof that we belong to Christ! Love is the pinnacle of our faith. As we surrender to the Holy Spirit He produces His love in us. Let’s take a look at what the Scriptures say about love and the types of love we see in action in the Unstoppable early church!
Key Scripture:
John 13:35 (NLT) Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
John 4:20 (NLT) If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?
When love is supreme in the heart of believers then everyone is welcome regardless of gender, ethnicity, economic status, religious upbringing, or educational pedigree. Everyone has a seat at the table and everyone is welcome.
Galatians 3:28-29 (NLT) There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.
The world is starving for community. Will we be the type of church that gives it to them? If we operate in love and welcome those who cross our paths, they can find a deep and meaningful community within the church. They can find where they belong with us!
Discussion Questions: Think back to your earliest memories of church. Did you feel welcomed and a part? Or did you feel like an outsider? Have you ever invited someone to come to church with you or to a Bgroup gathering? What was their feedback? Did they feel loved & welcomed? Did people speak to them? Or did they feel like they were trying to infiltrate a clique unsuccessfully? What can YOU do to help people feel welcome at Bethany?
In the Jewish culture we see the mantra “an eye for an eye.” In Roman culture we see the act of taking vengeance against someone who hurt you as a sign of strength. Anyone who didn’t repay someone for evil done to them was considered weak. Isn’t it just like Christ to do the exact opposite and choose grace and forgiveness instead of restitution or revenge?
We see the greatest example of forgiveness in Jesus! The perfect, spotless son of God willingly gave His life so that we could be forgiven of sin. As He hung on the Cross, looking out into the eyes of his murderers, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 (NLT)
Even Stephen, a disciple of Christ, walked in forgiveness. In Acts 7:59-60 (NLT) we see, as they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died. As believers, we aren’t people of vengeance but of forgiveness. We can’t be forgiven by the Father unless we forgive others! The way of the world is revenge. The way of the church is release!
Discussion Questions: What is your earliest memory of forgiving someone? What is your earliest memory of needing to be forgiven by someone? What do you remember about finding Jesus and experiencing His forgiveness for the first time? How does the grace you’ve received empower you to continue to forgive others?
We see selfless sacrifice displayed so beautifully in the early church. Acts 2:44-45 (NLT) shows us that believers began to sell their possessions and share with those in need. They believed in caring for one another. We aren’t able to meet the needs of the entire world but we should be able to meet the needs of those in our own congregation.
Throughout history we also see believers rescuing babies from garbage heaps. We see them opening their homes and caring for orphans around the world. Still today we see believers opening their homes to children in the Foster Care system and some even adopting those children into their own families permanently. What a beautiful picture of love in action!
Discussion Questions: How can you sacrifice to show love to someone else? How has someone sacrificed for you, and helped meet a need in your life? Share a time when you felt the leading of the Holy Spirit to step out of your comfort zone and bless someone else in need.
God’s love for us is welcoming, forgiving, and sacrificial. God doesn’t just show love, He is love! Take a moment to look at your life and rate your “love level.” Are you welcoming to others? Are you forgiving of others? Are you actively sacrificing for others? Let’s love deeply and genuinely! Let’s look for ways to welcome, forgive, and sacrifice so our families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors can experience the love of God through us. When we choose to love, we are truly unstoppable!