Ever Been Really Loved By Someone?
Ever Really Loved Someone?
What a gift!
Scripture Focus Tuesday evening, March 15, 2022: 1 Peter 1:22-25
New International Version
22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.[a] 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”[b] And this is the word that was preached to you.
Table Talk Discussion Questions:
- Lean In: How do you recognize it when two married people seem to truly love each other? How do friends show that they love each other? How do Christian men demonstrate God’s love to Him and to others? Do you see many people living each day like it may be the last?
- Look Down: In 1 Peter 1:22-25, Peter calls us to not just love, but to love fervently. What could he mean by that? Notice he gives some reasons that we can love each other. What has happened or is happening to our souls? What part has obedience played? How has Holy Spirit been engaged in our loving each other? The sacrifice of Jesus’ own blood makes our response of loving each other even more appropriate. Jesus deserves no less than our best. What do you think God is showing us by comparing us (men) to grass that doesn’t last long then contrasting the fact that God’s word (Gospel, Jesus the living word) lasts forever? What do you think about being so “temporary” in this life when eternity lasts forever?
- Look Out: How do men want love to be shown to them in friendships? Is it ok to call friendship a type of love? Do most men see love as a masculine or feminine idea? How about how married men or those who want to be married would like for their spouse to show love? Is love high on the priority list of most men you know? How do men show the love of God in day to day life? Where does God’s love show up on the priority list of most men that you know?
- How has your view of love changed over the years? How important is loving the Lord your God, and how do you show it? Could loving God hold a higher place on your priority list? How could loving God move up to a higher spot on your list?
- Take It Outside: In what ways could we help other men and boys face their need to accepts God’s love, appreciate it Him as their loving Father, and develop a deeper love for friends, family, and (potentially) a future spouse?
- Love God well – in your own life
- Invite men to church or to Bible study where God’s love is seen
- Do one on one with men whom God places on your heart
- Have meaningful conversations with younger men / boys
- Let other men know of your struggles and breakthroughs of faith
- What else do you see as possible ways to impact other men?
I know this Builders Men’s Ministry installment is scripture-heavy, but my words alone will not convince you. The Father will draw you; Holy Spirit will guide you to truth; Jesus will deliver on the promises He made! Count on Him. We have no other legitimate place to turn. Do we? Men, let’s grow in love and watch God change us from the inside. I guarantee it will happen. I did not say say life will be easy and fun always, but in the process of occasionally going through some hard things, at least they will be worth it. Love will grow and produce eternal fruit and reward for you and others and be a blessing to the heart of God, our Father.
Focus Verses from February 15, 22; March 1 and 8 —- 1 Peter 1:1-21
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Praise to God for a Living Hope
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hopethrough the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
Be Holy
13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”[a]
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors,19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.