Holiness in Love

Warm Up:

What was your favorite band or singer when you were in high school?

Do you remember having a favorite “love” song?

Exploring 1 Corinthians 13:1–13

How do you define love?

Why is love such an important companion to spiritual gifts?

List the characteristics of what love is in verses 4-7. What do these have in common?

How can recognizing these characteristics of what love is and isn’t foster healthy relationships inside and outside the church?

How would focusing on love help the struggling Corinthian church address their issues?

There has been much debate among scholars about the intended meaning of the word “completeness,” or “perfection” in verse 10 (i.e., the end of the apostolic age, completion of the biblical canon, second coming of Christ...). Regardless of the view one holds, what do verses 8-13 tell us about which gift endures forever? Why is that important for us?

Read the following verses and consider the preeminence of love.

• John 3:16
• 1 John 3:16
• 1 John 4:7-12

Application:

How might you express the love as described in 1 Corinthians to someone this week? Go ahead, step outside your comfort zone.

Think:

“Life is short, and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who are on this dark journey with us. Therefore, be swift to love, make haste to be kind—and may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”  - Huguenot Blessing

Prayer:

List one or two prayer concerns to share with your group.