Opening prayer Icebreakers /fun youth group activity Lesson or speaker Discussion Life application suggestions Closing prayer/prayer

requests

A Walk in The Dark

This is a great game for use in a home or similar setting. You just need a group of three students to play. This game works best in the dark or at night. Put the three students in a line with the first one leading the way, the third one in the back, and the one in the middle, blindfolded as "it." With "It" wearing a blindfold, the other two players (one in front and one behind) walk through the whole house. During the first trip through the course, the other two students lead it through the whole house. When they get back where they started, it must do it all alone and try to remember their footsteps. If they do the whole thing correctly they win! If they don't, they must come back to the start and give another player a turn. Notes: Dont forget to switch up the routes between trips. This makes it a little harder. Also, you can do time trials. Have everyone run the same course, but put them on a stopwatch to see who can do it the quickest. The Point: This could be a discussion starter if talking about friendship or the Ecclesiastes principle of, Two is better than one. If they fall down . . .

Find the Books of the Bible Age Group: All Youth In the following story, there are sixteen books of the Bible hidden. Can you find them all? I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu, kept people looking so hard for facts and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not capitalized, but the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others it was real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea, so she can concentrate better. See how well you can compete. Relax now, for there really are sixteen names of books in the bible in this story. (One preacher found 15 books in 20 minutes but it took him three weeks to find the 16th.) (I think I found all the solutions, but I am not sure, so you might want to try this yourself.

Human Machine Age Group: All Youth Break your group up into groups of no smaller than five and no bigger than ten. Each person in each group now must become one of the following body parts -- eye(s), ear(s), mouth, brain, leg(s), arm(s), hand(s), etc. You can add or take away body parts, depending on the size of your group. Just keep the most important ones in place. Instruct each group to do their best to perform a simple task, with each body part performing only its function. Here is a sample task. Place a Bible across the room and have each human machine attempt to "walk" over to the Bible, find Romans 12:4 - 6 and read it out loud. Remind your machines that each body part can only perform its function. For example, the legs cannot go to the Bible until the eye tells the brain where they are and the brain tells the legs how many steps to take and in which direction. This works great to illustrate how each member of a church or youth group is important and that we must all work together as part of Christ's body. A suggested Scripture passage is Romans 12:4-6.

1. 2. 3.

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It is clear from even a cursory reading that the Bible stresses the importance of love. The Bible even says that God is love (1 John 4:8, 16 ESV). It would not be an overstatement to say that every action that is pleasing to God is motivated by love. In the English language today, we use the word love in a variety of applications. We say that we love broccoli and we say we love our spouses. Just as there are different meanings for the word love in the English language, so there are different meanings in the language of the Bible, especially the New Testament. To keep this article down to a manageable size, I will concentrate on the New Testament words for love. The Greek words for love It appears that, in New Testament times, there were at least four different Greek words that we translate as the English word love. This variety actually helps us in the work of translation because each of the four different Greek words carries a slightly different definition from the other three. This makes it a little clearer as to what the original means. These words were: EROS: this Greek word was not used in the New Testament. It refers to sexual love and probably derived its name from the mythical god of love. STORGE: This is the type of love signifying the natural affection between kinfolk. This word appears only occasionally in the New Testament and only in compound form. PHILEO: This Greek word for love signifies, spontaneous natural affection, with more feeling than reason (Elwell, p. 1357). Strongs Exhaustive Concordance defines phileo as, to be a friend tofond of an individual or object; having affection for (as denoting attachment); a matter of sentiment or feeling. AGAPE: This Greek word for love is by far the one that appears most frequently in the New Testament. It is, generally assumed to mean moral goodwill which proceeds from esteem, principle, or duty, rather than attraction or charm [it] means to love the undeserving, despite disappointment and rejectionThough agape has more to do with moral principle than with inclination or liking, it never means the cold religious kindness shown from duty alone, as scriptural examples abundantly prove (Elwell, p. 1357). Norman Geisler offers this description of the different nuances of these words: Erotic love is egoistic. It says, My first and last consideration is myself. Philic love is mutualistic. It says, I will give as long as I receive. Agapic love, on the other hand, is altruistic, saying, I will give, requiring nothing in return. (Geisler, p. 49). It is the agape kind of love which God has for us, and for which we are commanded to have for one another. Even our expression of agape love is but a pale example of Gods agape love for us. Let us look at how this agape love is portrayed in the New Testament. Whenever the word love appears in the following verses, unless otherwise noted, it is a translation of the Greek word agape. Christ followers are commanded to love one another Jesus said that loving one another is not an option for the believer; it is a commandment. However, His commandment came with an example of how it is to be fulfilled, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another (John 13:34 ESV, cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:9). Love is a sign that we are Christians Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments (1 John 5:1-2 ESV).

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (Jesus speaking in John 13:35 ESV). It has been, and continues to be, my experience that an almost tangible feeling of love exists wherever a group of Christians gathers. It can be no other way for a people who are filled with Gods love. Love for Jesus inspires obedience to Him Jesus said to His disciples, If you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15 ESV). This means that those who love Jesus will want to please Him. We should want to please God, not as a means of trying to earn our salvation, but out of gratitude for what He has done in forgiving our sins. Other places in the New Testament tell us that this desire to obey Jesus is a natural reaction from those who are His followers, Jesus answered him, If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him (John 14:23 ESV; see also John 14:21; 2 John 1:6). It follows therefore, that those who do not obey Jesus, do not love Him and are thus not saved. The Greatest Commandment consists of love for God and love for our neighbors

God is love. In three of the four Gospels, Jesus tells us what He expects from us, And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these (Mark 12:30-31 ESV; see also Matthew 22:37; Luke 10:27). It is obvious from this passage that love should be the motivation for everything we do; love for God first, then love for everyone else. How different would our culture look if everyone lived in this manner? We are to love (agape) our enemies The love of God transcends our anger or hatred; it allows us to forgive those whom we otherwise would be unable to forgive (cf. Romans 12:19-20). Jesus told His disciples, But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44 ESV; cf. Luke 6:2728). Sometimes love may seem harsh True love must sometimes act in forceful ways. Agape love is a thinking, rational, kind of deliberate love that is motivated by what is holy and good. There are times when this kind of love results in less than pleasant actions. When speaking to the Corinthian church concerning a man engaged in unrepentant sin, the apostle Paul wrote these sobering words,you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the

day of the Lord (1 Corinthians 5:5 ESV). Agape love says that this mans eternal soul is more important than his temporal comfort, therefore actions should be taken to help him realize the depth of his sin. Many more biblical examples could have been cited under each of the preceding headings. The love of God is apparent on almost every page of the Bible. However, His love is made clearest by His greatest gift to us. Conclusion: the greatest example of agape love In the New Testament, the Greek words that we translate love have nuances that help us understand them a bit better. However, God has not left us to wonder what He views as love. He has given us the clearest example in His Son. The greatest example of love is Jesus Christ coming to earth in human flesh to die on a cross for our sin. but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-8 ESV; cf. John 15:13). For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in h im should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16 ESV). It is this love that we, as Christians, hope to share with a sinful, lost, and hurting world.

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/different-types-of-love-from-the-biblea-christian-study/#ixzz2QDPJHT00

The Different Kinds of Love Mentioned in the Bible

The Greek language in which the New Testament was written uses several words translated "love." The first two listed below are found in the New Testament. Understanding their meanings helps us better comprehend God's expectations of us. Agapao (verb) is a special word representing the divine love of God toward His Son, human beings in general and believers. It is also used to depict the outwardly focused love God expects believers to have for one another. Agapao (including its noun form, agape ) is "the characteristic word of Christianity, and since the Spirit of revelation has used it to express ideas previously unknown, inquiry into its use, whether in Greek literature or in the Septuagint, throws but little light upon its distinctive meaning in the N[ew] T[estament] . . ." This special type of Christian love, "whether exercised toward the brethren, or toward men generally, is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered" ( Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words , "Love"). Reflecting the fact that human marriage is modeled after the divine relationship between Christ and the Church, husbands are told to love their wives with this kind of outgoing,

selfless love (Ephesians 5:25 , 31-32). This kind of love is perhaps best expressed in Jesus Christ's statement in John 15:13 , "Greater love [ agape ] has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." Jesus Himself perfectly exemplified this kind of love throughout His lifetime, continually giving of Himself and His time and energies to serve others and ultimately offering up His life as a sacrifice for all of humanity. This is the kind of love God wants each of us to exemplify in our lives and particularly in our marriages. Phileo (verb) means "'to have ardent affection and feeling'a type of impulsive love" (Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary , 1995, "Love"). This is the natural, human type of love and affection that we have for a friend and is often defined as "brotherly love." In John 21:15-16

, Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him with the agapao type of love and Peter responded that he had the normal human phileo type of love for Him. Later, after receiving the Holy Spirit, Peter would be able to genuinely demonstrate agapao -type godly love, serving others throughout his lifetime and making the ultimate sacrifice in martyrdom. Eros (noun) refers to sexual, erotic love or desire. True love, as explained in the Bible, isn't focused on oneself and one's feelings or emotions, but is instead outwardly focused on others wanting to best serve and care for them. True love is beautifully described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails" (NIV).

Bible Teaching about Christian Love

Bible teaching about Christian love brings sharp focus on what makes the world go round: love. You take music - country, pop, or whatever it talks about love. Either you have it, want it, or have just lost it. People fall in love, and fall out of love. Romance novels stuff bookshelves. Love can turn to hate, then switch to passion in a marital squabble.

What is this thing called love? What is Christian love? Have you ever wondered? I have, and so have many others. Lets explore.

In the Western world, when we say, love, we can mean many different things. Things can get confusing. I can love my cat, my wife, my music, my friend, my job, my country, or my car. But I dont love my wife in the same way I do my car. See, things can really get mixed up!

Here I lay out a short course on the Bible teaching about Christian love. When I talk about Christian love, I mean love as viewed from the New Testament (NT). I focus on three basic categories.

Eros: Sexual Love

I start with sex or the Greek, eros. Why? Because the fiery passion of sexual love is what most people call love. In American culture, eros is also romantic love, and according to research, is the main reason people get married. It gets more interesting. Over one half of both American men and women maintain that not being in love (eros) is grounds for bailing out of marriage!

Eros is a multifaceted mixture of anger, sexual urge, joy, and jealousy. It is consummated in searing ecstasy.

Strangely, in the Bible teaching about Christian love, eros is not mentioned in the NT Greek. Maybe it is because the Greeks in Corinth viewed eros as the ultimate religious expression. They thought the highest spiritual experience was the most powerful form of ecstasy. And, what could be more intense than sexual climax?

That is why there existed in Corinth the temple to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. At one time, this fertility cult employed about one thousand priestess prostitutes available to provide the ultimate religious experience. Paul referred to this problem in 1 Corinthians 6:15-20.

Bible teaching about Christian love is quite contrary to the Greek notion of the highest form of love or religion. For Christian love, the highest form is agape. Thats next.

Agape: Highest Love

Actually, this NT word (agape) stands in sharp contrast to eros, and is rarely used outside the NT. It means to highly value, and unconditionally have at heart the genuine welfare and best interests of the object loved. It includes a rational commitment and motivation to maintain a relationship even in the face of problems. It directs kindness, respect and loyalty toward the object loved.

Agape stands at the heart of what is commonly referred to in the Bible teaching about Christian love. The concept of this kind of experience was in Greek and Roman culture, but not the actual word, agape.

God expresses Christian love toward us (John 3:16; cf. Romans 5:5, 8), and Jesus explained this self-sacrificial love, This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends (John 15:12, 13).

Agape is fully described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. This kind of love can be directed (wrongly) toward the things of this world, which might include cars, clothes, cameras, money, fame, power, and manifold bling blings (1 John 2:15-17).

According to Jesus definition, agape can be expressed in patriotism, as in soldiers laying down their lives for their country. The Bible teaching about Christian love indicates it should form the foundation of believers relationships with one another (John 13:35). Agape love demonstrates our friendship with Jesus (John 15:14), and expresses our Christian love toward God (1 John 5:1-3).

But, there is more to Christian love than this.

Phileo: Friendship Love

The Bible teaching about Christian love includes phileo. This category includes emotional warmth and tender affection toward a friend or family member. It involves closeness, bonding, and mutual sharing in a relationship. It is companionship, or brotherly love.

In a marriage relationship, the dominant fire of eros gradually gives ground to the mature phileo of affection. Phileo becomes the cement that bonds and holds families together over the long haul. There is an actual shift in the balance of bodily hormones during this transition. In popular usage, we call this shift the end of the honeymoon period.

The chemicals of eros dominate the emotional areas of our brain, and overrule the critical thinking areas. After those chemicals subside, the thinking regions make a come back, and we may wonder what we ever saw in the other person!

Jesus displayed this Christian love toward Lazarus, as observed, Lord, behold, he whom You love (phileo) is sick (John 11:3). In addition, John also wrote of this relationship, Now Jesus loved (agape) Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus John 11:5).

John also reveals that God displays friendship love (phileo) toward us, and believers toward Jesus (John 16:27).

So, what practical application can we draw from the Bible teaching about Christian love? Lets look.

Practical Applications

Christian love is important. It forms the relationship foundation between us, God, and other believers and all people (cf. 1 Thessalonians 3:12). All three kinds of love are vital and important in a healthy marriage relationship. Phileo can be thought of as love from the heart, and agape from the head. Agape should be the foundation in a marriage. But, sex is important also. Successful love in a marriage incorporates all three. Marriage should not be based on eros alone, because when the eros slows down with time and age, you might get bored, and think you have fallen out of love. Dont confuse eros and phileo with true Christian love: agape. Falling out of eros is not falling out of love. We must be wary of platonic relationships with the opposite sex. The heartfelt intimacy of phileo can quickly turn to the raging passion of eros. Agape love is the sign of the Holy Spirit in a Christians life (Galatians 5:22). Both agape and phileo should characterize the relationships among Christians (Romans 12:9, 10). With this Bible teaching about Christian love, Esmie and I pray for your increased understanding and richer experience in all your relationships. Let Christian love prevail.

BIBLE STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Describe how Christian love (agape) is to work out in your life (Mark 12:29-31). 2. In what manner did God display His Christian love (agape) toward us (Romans (Romans 5:8)? 3. What is a source of hope to Christians (Romans 5:5)?

4. List and explain five ways you can express Christian love (agape). in your most important relationships (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). 5. How important is Christian love (agape) in your relationships with others (1 Corinthians 13:13)? Explain. 6. Explain the difference between eros, agape, and phileo. 7. What should be our relationship to the world (1 John 2:15-17; John 3:16; Matthew 5:24). How can you reconcile these verses? Agape is used in all three. 8. Describe two ways how husbands can relate Christian love (agape) to their wives ((Ephesians 5:25)? 9. Describe two ways wives can express love (phileo) to their husbands (Titus 2:4). 10. What stood out the most to you in this Bible study? Explain.

Album: Neerae Singer: Pastor Gersson Edinbaro

Lyrics:

Neer sonnaal pothum seiven neer kaatum valiyil nadapen um paatham ondre pidippen en anbu yesuve neer sonnaal pothum seiven neer kaatum valiyil nadapen um paatham ondre pidippen en anbu yesuve

aaraadhanai Yesuvukke aaraadhanai Yesuvukke aaraadhanai Yesuvukke aaraadhanai Yesuvukke

neer sonnaal pothum seiven neer kaatum valiyil nadapen

um paatham ondre pidippen en anbu yesuve

kadalin meethu nadanthitta um arputha paathangal enakku munne selvathaal enakilla kavala kaatraiyum kadalaiyum athattiya um arputha vaarthaigal enthan thunaiyaai nirpathaal enakethu kavala

aaraadhanai Yesuvukke aaraadhanai Yesuvukke aaraadhanai Yesuvukke aaraadhanai Yesuvukke

neer sonnaal pothum seiven neer kaatum valiyil nadapen um paatham ondre pidippen en anbu yesuve

paathai ellam anthakaaram soozhndu kondaalum paathai kaatta nesar undu

bayam illaye paarvon senai thodarnthu vanthu soozhndu kondaalum paadhukaaka karthar undu bayame illaye

aaraadhanai Yesuvukke aaraadhanai Yesuvukke aaraadhanai Yesuvukke aaraadhanai Yesuvukke aaraadhanai Yesuvukke aaraadhanai Yesuvukke aaraadhanai Yesuvukke aaraadhanai Yesuvukke

neer sonnaal pothum seiven neer kaatum valiyil nadapen um paatham ondre pidippen en anbu yesuve

neer sonnaal pothum seiven neer kaatum valiyil nadapen um paatham ondre pidippen en anbu yesuve

neer sonnaal pothum seiven neer kaatum valiyil nadapen um paatham ondre pidippen en anbu yesuve