Michelle Bauer ~ Learning to Love
And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 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. ~ I Corinthians 13: 1-8a
What is your definition of love? How has this definition changed through the different seasons of your life? I John 4:8 tells us that, “God is love.” How does this truth fit with your definition of love?
What is the most annoying noise you can imagine? That’s how verse one describes people who have amazing spiritual gifts but haven’t learned how to love. Do you know anyone like this?
Verse two of this passage says that being loving ranks higher than some other pretty important things. What are they? What damage can be done if people exercise their spiritual gifts without love? Have you ever been the victim of this kind of person?
What, besides love, can motivate someone to give to the poor or sacrifice themselves? Take a moment to examine your motives and ask God to make them pure.
In what situations is it easy for you to love? In what situations do you struggle to love? What makes a person hard or easy to love?
Who loves you well? How do you know this person loves you? Take a few minutes to write this person a note, email or text thanking them for their love.
Who in your life would you like to love better? What keeps you from loving them well? What would need to change in you in order to love them well? Ask God to give you his love for this person.
Leave this quiet time in peace knowing that you are loved by God.