Conversation Starters:

• Share your personal understanding of love and how love operates in your life.
• What are some common misconceptions of love and how we live out love in our lives?
• Why do you think loving God and loving others are the two most important things a believer can live out faithfully?

Ask your group members to share their favorite points from the sermon, what stood out to them, a phrase or moment from the sermon they related to the most, or questions they have. If your members have a hard time remembering, share your notes and favorite points.

Reflect:

1.) Read 1^st John 3:11,14 and John 4:7-8 NIV: Pastor Jason shared four levels of relationship: 1.) Murder – 1^st John 3:12 and John 8:42-44 NIV 2.) Hatred – 1^st John 3:13-15 and Matthew 5:21-24 NIV 3.) Cold Love – 1^st John 3:16-17 NIV 4.) Real Love – 1^st John 3:18 NIV. He also provided three Doors to Deception. The Spirit of: Offense and Unforgiveness, Pride and Insecurity, and Religion and Old Wineskin.

Why do you think the Apostle John equates us failing to love equal to DEATH?

Which of the four levels of relationship best describes your relationship with God? (With others? What steps is God moving you to take? When will you take them?)

Which “Doors of Deception” do you relate with the most and why? (Share your revelation for each of the four doors and how each door speaks to you.)

What are some proactive steps we can take to battle against each Door of Deception?

2.) Pastor Jason shared three benefits of love. We: 1.) Receive God’s Assurance – 1^st John 3:19-20 NLT, Answered Prayer – 1^st John 3:21-22 NIV Psalm 66:18 NLT and Psalm 37:4 NKJV, and the Abiding Holy Spirit – 1^st John 3:23 and 1^st John 4:12-16 NIV.

What fears do you have about loving God and others the way God calls us to?

Isolation may “seem safer” than loving, but is it really? (Share your thoughts)

What’s the end result if we don’t learn to love? (Sacrifice is temporary. Love is eternal. God’s rewards await all those who love. God is love. We get to abide in His love if we “choose” to.) 

Apply It: 

Sometimes loving God’s way comes with sacrifice and a cost. Love also comes with abundant blessings, benefits, and rewards. God set the example for sacrificial love through Christ and shows us how to love authentically. Love can cost, but the benefits for loving God’s way outweigh the costs and the risks. Don’t see shallow and in the moment. Don’t become offended or hold onto offenses. See into your eternity and the destination true love will take you. Identify all areas where you’re struggling to love. Find the root as to why and speak God’s truth into the lie the enemy would have you believe. Surrender to love using God’s example in Christ Jesus. God’s love paid the sin debts for all of humanity including each of us. Give of yourself in service to intentionally love God and love others. Look for opportunities to repeat loving this way until it becomes your way of life.

Prayer Requests and Closing Prayer:

Ask your group members if they have a prayer request. Write them down and continue to pray for them during the week:

Lord, there are many kinds of love. There is erotic love, family love, brotherly love, and the greatest love of all – Agape Love. Your love never changes in spite of our failures. Your love for us is the highest level we can love at and it’s the level You call us to love at. Help us reach unconditional love for You and for others. May we not be deceived by loving in the wrong way. You have clearly demonstrated Your love for us in Christ. There is peace in Your love. There is restoration, reconciliation, and redemption in Your love. Help us surrender our fears to You Father so we can love like You do Lord. Help us see the bigger picture. Help us choose love and in so doing receive life and promote life in those You love, in Christ we pray, amen.