Sunday School Lesson on Love Topic Discussion

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Sunday School Lesson on Love Topic Discussion
1.What are some of the reasons the worldregards the church with suspicion? How shouldwe respond?

Generally speaking, the world does not knowus because it does not know Jesus. It is naturalfor people to question, or evens hate and fear,what they do not understand. When churchesmeet in secret in some countries, they are sus-pected of plotting against the government. Whenthey attempt to win converts from another reli-gion, religious leaders feel threatened; they mayput pressure on the state to declare proselytizinga crime. Even in America, when Christians op-pose legislation they consider unethical, they areoften accused of "shoving the Bible down thethroats" of those who disagree.

Our response is (at least) twofold. First, we en-sure that our own conduct is always above re-proach. Second, we view non-Christians aspotential converts to Christ.

2.Many of us would disavow any connectionwith Cain and dismiss him as "an extremecase." Why is this a mistake? What can youlearn from the story of Cain that can help you inyour daily life?

Remember that, "All Scripture ... is profitablefor doctrine, for reproof', for correction, for in-struction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). Theaccount of Cain is no exception. This account re-minds us that all sin has a history. Cain had arecord of evil actions before he murdered hisbrother. This suggests the need to work continu-ally to keep our thoughts and deeds acceptable toGod. Cain was warned by God before Ise becamea murderer, and the Lord provides warnings forall of us. Sometimes the warning comes throughScripture, sometimes through a faithful friend,sometimes from a caring parent.

3. You see a shabbily dressed man on a streetcorner asking for money. His cardboard signsays, "Homeless veteran. Hungry. What wouldJesus do?" How do you respond in a way thatdemonstrates Christ's love?

When a person is born again, he or she passesfrom death into life. Such a persons receives anew nature in which loving is natural. So impressed was the apostle John with this fact thathe was shocked at the idea of a Christians whodid not love a brother or sister. Even though Johnwas referring to help for fellow Christians, thechance to help non-Christians with practical as-sistance is a great blessing! Some have called thiskind of benevolence pre-evangelism since it canopen a person's heart to the gospel.

For the homeless persons in this case, droppingmoney into his cup is probably not the best ap-proach. Such a gift may be used for alcohol, etc.You could instead keep some small boxes ofraisins on hand for on-the-spot assistance withfood. If your church has a benevolence programin place, you can give the person a card tellinghim where to go In got this help.

4.How do you counsel a fellow Christianwho feels condemned by his or her own heart?How will your counsel be flexible from personto person?

First, listen and don't talk too much! As youdo, you can help the person examine himself orherself to uncover any personal sin. You maydiscover that there is no specific sin causing theguilt, but that the persons is feeling guilty becauseof unrealistic personal expectations (perfection-ism). Help the healing by affirming the person'sdecision to come to you. The devil loves it whenpeople keep personal anguish a secret.

5.Love is probably written and sung aboutmore than any other emotion or action! In whatways will your actions this week demonstratehow the Christian concept of love differs fromwhat the world calls love?

If we listen carefully to those shallow pop songsabout love, we discover a pattern: love is a -feel-ing" that finds its roots in "what you do for me."Worldly love is often little more than a reciprocalagreement of "you satisfy my needs and I'll satisfyyours." When this self-centered system breaksdown, people end up in divorce courts or worse.Christian love, on the other hand, is sacrifi-cial. It puts aside its own preferences and conve-niences in order to focus on Christ's desires. It isfrom this foundation that Christian love servesothers (see 1 Corinthians 13).

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