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GOAL : To explain the meaning of Christian love and to help people apply Christian
love in their lives.
EXPANDED OUTLINE
I. Introduction.
a. Last week we looked at the first and greatest commandment. Today we look
at the second. Mark 12:28-31.
b. Loving neighbor, together with loving God, form the core of the Christian life.
Jesus summed up the whole law in these two greatest commandments.
c. The two go together. 1 John 4:20-21. Thus it is clear: no love for others, no
Christianity.
1. To serve others or to put them first does not mean never turning down
opportunities to serve.
Sometimes you are unable. Sometimes you should not, even if able.
2. We have the wrong concept of a loving person as a nice guy who tries to
please everybody.
c. Love is not defensive.
1. Love is risky business. What if one betrays you? What if your loved one
dies? Love seems to set one up to get hurt.
1. The focus in loving is not ourselves but others. By its nature, Christian
love is ready for self-denial.
2. We recognize that putting others first can be bothersome or inconvenient
for us.
2. Jesus was specific about how we are to love one another. John 15:12.
It is not just giving our time, imparting our wisdom, praying for others,
etc., but dying for others.
b. But most are not called to actually die for others. How then do we translate
love into practical everyday terms?
1. The answer is in John 13:1-5 (the foot washing episode).
What Jesus did was most unusual, because it was the task of the
youngest slave. Thus Peter objected.
2. Thus, dying on the cross was not the only example Jesus gave. He
demonstrated Christian love as service love.
3. When he finished, Jesus told them to do likewise. John 13:14-15.
The Jews hated the Samaritans, who had inter-married among the
gentiles. Thus it was remarkable for this Samaritan to help the Jew
who was robbed and beaten.
2. The implication for us: All men in need of your help are your neighbors.
V. Conclusion.
1. Given the nature of love and also our own human limitations, mere
human effort will fail. It is impossible without God's help.
2. But He who commanded us to love also gives us the power to love. To
enable us to love, God made us temples of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 5:5.
CFC Singles for Christ
Christian Life Program
Participant's Outline
Brief Outline
I. Loving neighbor, together with loving God, form the core of the Christian life.
II. Love is not only having positive feelings, not always saying "yes", not defensive, not
self-seeking, and not manipulative.
Discussion Starter
1. Do you understand the Biblical meaning of love as contrasted with that of the world?
2. How have you failed to love in everyday life?
The Challenge
Jesus showed us the way to true Christian love by the parable of the good Samaritan, by his
washing of his disciples' feet, and most of all by his dying for us on the cross. Are you prepared
to love others in the way Jesus loved you?
Suggested Reading