Meeting B: Living a Life of Love and Obedience

Back to series
By C.S. Lewis Institute on February 20, 2023 ,

Living a Life of Love and Obedience

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.  Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.  

 

1 John 4:7-12 (ESV)

1. Opening Prayer

2. Scripture Reading

Read aloud the Bible passage at the top of this page (1 John 4:7-12).

3. Group Discussion

(1) What struck you the most about Pastor Sicks’ teaching in the video, “Living a Life of Love and Obedience”?  If you were telling a friend or family member about it, what would you highlight?  What will you remember?

(2) What, according to David Mathis, is “the great purpose of prayer”?  (See Habits of Grace, p. 95.)

(3) What is the “ACTS” pattern of prayer?  (See Habits of Grace, pp. 105-106.) What are some of the potential benefits of incorporating this pattern as a part of one’s prayer life?

(4) What does 1 John 4:7-12 tell us about living a life of love?

(5) What prayer could you pray on a daily basis to grow in love for God and others?

(6) What light does C.S Lewis shed on the relationship between God’s free grace and the many Scriptural exhortations to self-surrender, obedience, and the vigorous pursuit of holiness?  (See Reflections, “Trust and Obey”.)

4. Prayer Requests

5. Closing Prayer

Homework

 1. Reflect

Within a day or two after the meeting, prayerfully reflect on the meeting and its content.

2. Change

As you consider the Bible studies, readings, teaching video and other activities you have completed over the last month in studying the theme—Living a Life of Love and Obedience—are there changes you would like to make in your life, or other actions you would like to take at this time?

3. Prayer

Father, help me to love you enough to eagerly obey you. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

4. Prepare for the Next Meeting

Coming Next: Theme 5:  Growing in Humility—Meeting A

(1) Read Don’t Waste Your Life, by John Piper, Chapters 1-5 (pp. 9-91 in 2018 paperback edition) (~82 pages)

(2) Read article, “Pride and Humility,” by Tom Tarrants, found on CSLI website (from Knowing & Doing, Winter 2011, ~5 pages)

(3) Complete Bible Study, Philippians 2:3-11.

a. Read. Carefully read this passage.  As you do so, consider: What does the text say?  What was the original intent?  What does the passage mean?  How does the passage apply to my life, and the lives of others, today?

b. Reflect. Whatever our relational difficulties, Christ Jesus is our standard.  What is there about Him that addresses our hesitations and reservations about valuing others above ourselves?

c. Change. Now that you have a deeper understanding of what it means to live a life of love

COPYRIGHT: This publication is published by C.S. Lewis Institute; 8001 Braddock Road, Suite 301; Springfield, VA 22151. Portions of the publication may be reproduced for noncommercial, local church or ministry use without prior permission. Electronic copies of the PDF files may be duplicated and transmitted via e-mail for personal and church use. Articles may not be modified without prior written permission of the Institute. For questions, contact the Institute: 703.914.5602 or email us.

Full details Get Directions

Print your tickets