26 Jul Discussion Guide: One Another – Week 1
Before We Get Started
For our discussion today we will be using the sermon series discussion guides. If you would like to follow along you can access this discussion guide on the website at mosaicchurchaustin.com and then select “community group resources” in the menu options.
Prayer
Because the main goal of our time together is to establish relationships and learn how to walk with one another in all that God has called us to be and do, we’d like to begin by praying for one another. So, does anyone have anything you’d like us to pray for, or anything to share regarding how you’ve seen God moving in your life that we can celebrate together.
This Week’s Topic
Today we begin a new series that, in light of all that is going on in our world today, couldn’t have come at a better time. We will be looking at some of the different commands in Scripture that call us to “one another” one another. Serve one another, encourage one another, sharpen one another, seek to outdo one another in showing honor, and above all, love one another, are just a few of the things Jesus and the New Testament writers command us to do in our dealings with one another. Of course those things are easier said than done, but why is that? In this series we will be asking some tough questions and seeking the Gospel-centered solutions in how we can best “one another” one another.
Today’s Topic
Love One Another
Discussion Questions
What does it mean to love someone?
Love is the willingness to put the needs and wellbeing of another ahead of your own. Our culture has taught us that love is an emotion, a feeling, an attraction, a desiring of someone. That isn’t love, that is lust. That is wanting someone for what they can do for you. That is the opposite of love. Though emotions, feelings, attraction and desire result when you love someone, it is the choice to sacrifice your wants for another person’s needs that provides the root system out of which the fruit of truly loving emotions and desires grow. At it’s core love is a choice, a sacrificial commitment.
“For God so loved the world He gave His only Son…”
Love is not determined based on how comfortable we are, how convenient it is, or how happy we are at any given moment. Love is a commitment, a choice to continually seek the wellbeing of another, regardless of what it might cost us. This is why the sentiment of “falling out of love” or “growing apart” is a farce. Those are statements used to justify the selfish pursuits of someone who no longer wants to be committed to the relationship.
And, when it comes to friendship and fellowship with other believers, love is the willingness to see God’s best accomplished in the life of another and the desire to play whatever part you can in seeing that reality come to pass. And though the romance and attraction is not evident like in a marriage, there is still the feelings and the emotions that follow that choice to love that help to continually bond us together as the Body of Christ. Love will be tested because our hearts tend to be self-centered and self-preserving at the core, so the choice to put others first is a choice that must be made again and again and recommitted to on a daily basis.
Romans 5:7-8
“For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
John 13:34-35
“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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””
According to Scripture, how has Jesus loved you?
What do you supposed Jesus really means when He tells us to, “Love one another, just as I have loved you?”
What makes loving others the way Christ has loved you so hard to do at times?
Yet, Jesus says if we love one another like that, then the world will know we belong to Him. Why do you think that is?
“We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and canceling our plans by sending us people with claims and petitions.”
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”
What does it cost you to love others well?
How is that notion at odds with our culture’s perspective on life and relationships?
Luke 23:33-34
“And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”
One Blood: Parting Words to the Church on Race
“In the midst of all the pain, oppression, and lack of meaning in life, the Church must proclaim the answer that is provided to us so clearly in Scripture. It is simple. We must be loving like Jesus in this fractured world.”
How would you describe the mindset you see in both Jesus and Dr. Perkins here?
Where do you suppose they found the strength, motivation, and love to respond to the brokenness in our world that way?
Closing Thought
In what ways can we be better at loving one another?