by Wayne and Clay Jacobsen
“Wittingly or unwittingly, many of us protect ourselves from the kind of relationships that connect us deeply with others.”(p.16)
“Jesus’ followers were not focused on liturgy, tradition, or growth strategies, but on the power of simple God-centered friendships, both with believers and with those still trapped in the world.” (p.20)
[True] “friends find their origin in God’s heart. No one can love so freely whom God has not first loved deeply.” (p.22)
Lesson Focus: Loving others like God loves you (chapter 2)
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
(John 13:34,35 ESV)One at a time:
The kind of love Jesus modeled was relational and intimate; one on one. He didn’t tell his small band of disciples to love everyone, serve everyone, and share with everyone. That would be overwhelming.
As the old man walked the beach at dawn, he noticed a young man picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea. Catching up to the youth, he asked why he was doing this. The answer was that the stranded starfish would die if left until the morning sun. "But the beach goes on for miles and there are millions of starfish," countered the other. "How can your effort make any difference?" The young man looked at the starfish in his hand and threw it to safety in the waves. "It makes a difference to this one," he said.
(Loren C. Eiseley "The Star Thrower." Harcourt Brace. 1979)
How would it change your day to look for individuals to love in the moment rather than try to act like you love everybody?Not Getting, but Giving:
It is quite natural to think; “Where could I find a friend who knows how to “one another”.
The answer is to be one of these people.
“Perhaps the greatest freedom of one anothering is the freedom God gives us not to be focused on ourselves all the time.” (p.29)Living Loved:
“just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” – verse 34
“You cannot forgive others if you are experiencing God’s forgiveness for you. You cannot serve others unless you know that God is providing everything you need. You cannot live in kindness to others until you see God’s kindness toward you.” (p.29)
In what ways have you treated others that reflect how you thought about God?
Or - how have you been treated?. . . (if you need it)
Christ’s love frees us to live loved.
“Living in God’s love is the first step to one anothering. If you don’t discover that first, this process will wear you out with self-generated good works that will not bear the fruit of His kingdom.” (p.30)The Fruits of One Anothering:
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” - verse 35
“There is no greater tool for touching the world than simple demonstrations of love. In fact, Jesus invited the world to judge the authenticity of the gospel we proclaim by the way we show love for others.” (p.31)
“A self-centered life is its own punishment. When our relationships with others are filled with expectations and demands that they do what we want, the result is stress, disappointment, and despair.” (p.31)The Greatest is Love:
“Love on another” is the ultimate one anothering Scripture. All the others are expressions of how we let God’s love live out through us.” (p.31)
“This is the best of what the Christian life has to offer. Jump in and discover just how transforming a life lived in love can truly be.” (p.32)
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