REVIEW: 1. Indulgence means to feed; when you feed your sinful tendencies and selfish desires, you feed a self-centered creature that has no awareness of other people and their feelings. 2. Sin is first the breaking of relationship with God before it breaks relationship with another person; in the same way, the best way to restore relationships with other people is to restore it with God first (Psalm 51:4) 3a. The key character quality of love is willingness; you can’t love someone out of begrudging “duty” 3b. Love that doesn’t require sacrifice is “self-love” because you benefit from it as well 3c. Love that does not benefit the other person in some capacity can’t be love 3d. If you only give love when the other person is deserving, you will spend a lot of your time not loving them
REVIEW:
1. How is indulgence destructive in marriage, and, in all areas of life?
2. Why are marriages fixed vertically before they are ever fixed horizontally?
3. Review each of the elements from the cruciform definition of love, rephrasing it, if necessary, in a way that has personal application and meaning for you. Share one element with the group: 1) Willing:
2) Self-sacrifice:
3) For the good of another:
4) Reciprocation / Deserving:
DISCUSSION: 1. If it’s true that “love best grows out of the soil of gratitude,” how can you find practical ways to “water the soil” of gratitude and celebrate the love of God in your life?
7. What Is Love? 31
DISCUSSION: 1. Some potential answers could be: corporate worship services, where we’re reminded of the goodness and mercy of God; small groups, where we spend time with other believers sharing His faithfulness; spending time in Scripture and in prayer, personally communing with God; journaling, so we can read back and find where God has answer prayer and showed His love. Instead of listing potential “activities”, get participants to share their personal experience with each of those activities and how they personally benefited. These stories can inspire and encourage others to follow their lead and pursue helpful resources that water the soil of gratitude.
7. What is Love? 32
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