Love

The Greatest Gift of All

New Testament Passage

1 Corinthians 13

1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Discussion Questions

  1. Even the greatest sacrifices are worth nothing without love. It is not what we give, or how much we give, that matters, but rather the love that compels us to give what we can. How then, does that affect the way we give and receive?
  2. Love bears all things, regardless of how burdensome or grievous they may be. How does that affect our relationships and the way we interact with others?
  3. In what ways do we “show” people love rather than just saying, “I love you?”

Old Testament Passage

1 Samuel 18: 1-4

Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 Saul took him that day and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. 3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armour, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.

Discussion Questions

  1. “… having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” (John 13:1). How can we love God and our neighbours every day?
  2. According to Gary Chapman, there are five ways we express and experience love. These five languages of love include: words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time and physical touch. Is it necessary to demonstrate all five languages of love?
  3. How important is it to understand our partners / friends preferred language(s)?