Love, What is It?

(*Note – we will be studying the Fruit of the Spirit, spending a long time.  We will be looking at different aspects of it through out the Bible.  My plan is to spend 5 days on each of the fruit and then rotate thru them again.)

But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE Galatian 5:22

What is LOVE? (I have selected a few of the definitions)

love = 1. a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend; 2. in consideration of; for the sake of;

Synonyms:
Love, affection, devotion all mean a deep and enduring emotional regard, usually for another person. Love may apply to various kinds of regard: the charity of the Creator, reverent adoration toward God or toward a person, the relation of parent and child, the regard of friends for each other, romantic feelings for another person, etc. Affection is a fondness for others that is enduring and tender, but calm. Devotion is an intense love and steadfast, enduring loyalty to a person; it may also imply consecration to a cause. 2. liking, inclination, regard, friendliness. 15. like. 16. adore, adulate, worship.

Antonyms:
1, 2. hatred, dislike. 15, 16. detest, hate.

Discuss how we use the word “love” in our language.  “Love” food, toys, people, etc  Do we take the word for granted?  Using it in ways that cheapen it?

So how should we love???
John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

How did Jesus love us? Or should the question be, “How much did Jesus love us?”  He loved us so much that He died on the cross for our sins.  If we are living a cross-centered life, are we loving in a cross-remembering way?  Do we love other like Jesus loved us?  Do we give up our desires / wants for the wants of others?

How does this love look?
How do you treat your siblings?  How do you treat your friends?  Do you show them Jesus’ love by what you do?  Do you show them love or hatred???

Song – Jesus Loves Me, O How I Love Jesus,  Jesus Loves the Little Children

Memory Verse
John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

Activity
Let’s practice our loving acts at home – 1st.  Make a heart – write “Love one Another” on it.  Give it to the person whom you choose to show love to in the following manner…  Do something loving for a brother / sister or parent.  Take care of one of their chores without being asked.  Offer to get them a drink or something to eat.  Look for an opportunity to show love toward a family member.  Be sure to do it with a smile and a loving word!!!  Remember – Jesus died on the cross for you, what are you going to do to show love?

Handwriting

Download here

Remember – we are saved by the grace of God, it is nothing that we have done or can do to earn our way to heaven.  We only have forgiveness because of what Jesus did for us!  None of the things that we DO earn us a better place in heaven.  It is because GOD LOVES us so much!!!

Prayer – Pray for God’s help in showing love to each other.