Lesson 10: God's Immeasurable Love
Day 1: Matthew 26:36-Matthew 28:20
Day 2: Mark 14:32 - Mark 16:20
Day 3: Luke 22:39 - Luke 24:53
Day 4: John 17
Day 5: John 18:1 - John 20:18
Day 6: John 20:19 - John 21:25
Day 7: I John 4
WORD STUDY: LOVE
1). Use a dictionary to define the word love.
2). Using a concordance look up the word love in the Hebrew language. Write at
least two Hebrew words for love and their meanings.
3). Using a concordance look up the word love in the Greek language. Use this
information to define the following terms:
Agape/agapao:
Phileo:
It is very important that we study the true meaning of each word. Agape
signifies an unconditional choice to love someone. It is with benevolence and
affection for another. Phileo represents more of a heart or personal attachment
to someone. This is the love that is easy to bestow because we already enjoy or
like that person. Below is a passage taken from John 21:15-19. Peter has
denied Christ and is now given a second chance to confess his love for our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ. In each blank, I would like you to replace the word
love with agape or phileo. Use your concordance to choose the appropriate term.
4) So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son
of Jonah, do you _______________ Me more than these?"
5). He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I _______________ You."
6). He said to him, "Feed My lambs." He said to him again a second time,
"Simon, son of Jonah, do you _______________ Me?"
7). He said to him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I _______________You."
8). He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time,
"Simon, son of Jonah, do you _______________ Me?" Peter was grieved because
He said to him the third time, "Do you _______________ Me:"
9). And He said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I
_______________ You."
MY STORY:
When I was adopted, I was given the blessings of a Father who loved me
unconditionally. As an infant I was incapable of doing anything which would
earn my parents love or affection. (Except for being extremely cute! LOL) Yet,
my parents chose to care for me, provide for me, and give me the love and
affection I needed to thrive. As I became a teenager, I KNOW I did not do
anything to earn their love, tolerance and affection for me; yet they never
failed me in those difficult times. Nothing I did could separate me from their
love!
When I held Anderson and Emma in my arms and looked into their precious little
faces, I felt a deep, abiding love I had never felt before. It was different
than the love I felt for Glen as my husband. (Side Note: Look at Titus 2:4.
The Greeks actually used two different words for their love of husband and love
of children!) I know that our Heavenly Father has an even deeper love for me as
His child!
GOD'S STORY:
We must first understand that God is love. It is a part of who He is. Remember
back in lessons 2 and 3 we learned about God's attributes. We said that God
could not tell a lie. In like manner it is against God's character to choose
not to love someone. He can't do it!!
10). For God is _______________. I John 4:8b
11). And we have known and believed the _______________ that God has for
_______________. God is _______________ and he who _______________ in
_______________ abides in _______________, and God in him.
I John 4:16
It is His natural attribute to love His creation.
12). Yet in all these things we are more than _______________ through Him who
_______________ us. For I am persuaded that neither _______________nor
_______________ nor _______________ nor _______________ nor _______________, nor
things _______________ nor things to _______________, nor _______________
nor _______________ nor any other _______________ thing, shall be able to
_______________ us from the _______________ of ________________which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39
13) We _______________ Him because He first _______________ us. I John 4:19
14) that Christ may dwell in your _______________ through faith; that you, being
_______________ and _______________ in _______________, may be able to
comprehend with all the saints what is the _______________ and _______________
and _______________ and _______________- to know the _______________of Christ
which passes _______________; that you may be filled with all the fullness of
_______________ Ephesians 3:17-19
God demonstrated this love for us by giving his only begotten son.
15). For God so _______________ the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever _______________ in Him should not _______________ but have
everlasting life. John 3:16
16). Now hope does not disappoint, because the _______________ of God has been
_______________ out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For
when we were still without _______________in due time Christ _______________for
the ungodly. For scarcely for a ________________ man will one die; yet perhaps
for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God _______________ His own
_______________ toward us, in that while we were still _______________, Christ
died for us. Romans 5:5-8
Throughout scripture, God has declared His will for His children. If we truly
love Him we will keep His commandments (John 14:15) and desire to please Him.
17) In the Nelson's Illustrate Dictionary of the Bible, I found this quote:
"Love is like the oil to the wheel of obedience. It enables us to run the way
of God's commandments." Respond to this quote. Do you agree or disagree.
Use scripture to support your answer. I would also love other examples or
comparisons you may think of with regards to love.
18) Read the following scriptures and tell who we should love. (Bonus: tell
whether this verse is using agape or phileo love as its description)
Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30
Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31;
Ephesians 5:28; 5:33; Col. 3:19 (husbands responsibility) Titus 2:4
Titus 2:4
John 13:34; I Thessalonians 4:9; I John 3:23 Matthew 5:43-46; Luke 6:27-35
19). We are also given instructions as to things we should NOT love. Read the
following passages and tell what each of these may be:
I John 2:15-17
John 3:19-20 Matthew 6:24
God did not just tell us to love. He also gave us a guide in HOW we are to love.
20). My little children, let us not _______________in _______________ or in
_______________ , but in _______________ and in _______________. I John 3:18
21). Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any _______________ of
love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any _________________ and
_______________, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same
_______________, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through
_______________ _______________ or conceit, but in _______________ of mind let
each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for
his own _______________, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4
22). Therefore be _______________ of God as dear ________________. And
_______________ in _______________, as Christ also has loved us and given
Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Ephesians 5:1-2
Guess what happens to those who LOVE Him!!!!
23). But as it is written: _______________ has not seen, nor _______________
heard, Nor have entered into the _______________(mind) of man the things which
_______________ has prepared for those who _______________ Him. I Corinthians
2:9
24). Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved,
he will receive the _______________ of _______________ which the Lord has
_______________ to those who _______________ Him. James 1:12
LESSON IN ACTION:
Please read I Corinthians 13 this week. The first time replace the word love
for God. (Remember God is love!) Really meditate on what these verses tell you
about our Father.
Then, read through each verse and identify areas that you could work on
personally this week. Pray for help from our Father and strive to show more
love in your own life this week.