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Date: June 6, 2021
Characterized by Love
The Point: Ground everything you do in love for Christ.
Get Into the Study [Option from Adult Leader Guide]
In advance, play a video illustrating how crazy love can be sometimes. Then ask Question #1.
Study the Bible
Use the following illustration after your discussion of Revelation 3:4-6.
A month ago, we started seeing shortages of ketchup due to supply chain issues. Restaurants were scrambling to find ketchup packets as Kraft Heinz was unable to keep up with demand. Now Chick-fil-a is limiting their dipping sauces, as supply chain issues have also led to a “shortage in select items.” Many locations are only giving out one dipping sauce cup per menu item. This raises some questions: Is it even worth it to get fries if you can’t have any ketchup? What good are Chick-fil-a nuggets without some CFA sauce?
Actually, you can still enjoy an order of waffle fries and chicken nuggets, even without their traditional accompaniments. However, we will learn in this session about another pairing that must stay together. In Revelation 2:4-6, Jesus commends the church at Ephesus for their good works, but then reminds them that love for Him must accompany their acts of service.
Live It Out
Use the following as you conclude today’s session.
Target has announced the store will stop carrying Pokémon cards, citing safety concerns for guests and employees. As demand for Pokémon and other trading cards has grown, people have begun camping out in parking lots overnight and there have been reports of fights and confrontations.
The Pokémon cards were originally used by young fans of the Pokémon franchise for a strategy game. These cards originally attracted kids because of their love of the characters. However, the cards have recently seen a recent surge in value with collectors. In March, one Pokémon card, a holographic Charizard card, sold for over $300,000. Love of the game and characters is no longer fueling the Pokémon card market.
We must be careful not to lose sight of what first drew us to serving Jesus. Our service and good works should not be fueled by a desire for personal gain, praise, or even a sense of duty. Rather we must ground everything in love for Christ.
Encourage group members to choose one of the Live It Out applications.
Nikki Wilbanks write these Leader Extras. She grew up in Tennessee before heading to California to study literature at Pepperdine University. After graduation, she enjoyed a decade-long career as a commercial real estate appraiser and investor. Having returned to Tennessee with her husband, she is now thrilled to be a stay-at-home mom and writer.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- What’s the greatest compliment you’ve ever received?
- Who in your life provides the best example of genuine love?
- What’s something you’d like to be known for?
Revelation 2:1-3
- How might Jesus compliment our church?
- Why is endurance an important aspect of a Christian’s good deeds?
- What are some specific ways to “test” those who are leaders within the church?
Revelation 2:4-6
- What is the relationship between our love for Jesus and our good works?
- What’s the danger in losing our first love for Christ?
- What are some of the ways churches and Christians can show love to the world?
Revelation 2:7
- What changes do you need to make in your life to renew your love for Jesus?
- Where would you like to see the church be more active in grounding its work in love?
- How can hope of eternity with Christ impact our good works?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
Avoiding the Drudgery of Ministry
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Tips for Leading Bible Study Groups
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Blessing to you. thanks
Thank you Randy for your time to us, I appreciate what you do, Thank you
I do not know where the appropriate place to ask this is. We have two people that have such low vision that they cannot see print to read. Does this series or any Lifeway series have cds as well as books?
Wanda, let me suggest two options. We do provide an audio CD of the KJV Adult Personal Study Guide. Click here to learn more.
Some classes purchase the digital version of whichever Personal Study Guide they are using. This is a PDF which readers can use on a computer or tablet and make as large as they want. This option does not serve all with low vision, but if it is a possible option for those in your group, let me know which Personal Study Guide you use, and I’ll provide a copy to see if it helps.