LOVE

In Spring, we will be exploring the value of love.

 

Key Bible verses

Spring 1 Love  The most fundamental message of Jesus is that we must love and care for one another.

The Greatest Commandment   Matthew 22:34-40 New International Version

34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”


Verses from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8:
for example love is patient and kind; love is not selfish nor quick tempered; love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful and trusting; love never fails; love doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do.

 

Themes to explore

The range of meanings for the word 'love' - friendship love; romantic love; self-centred love; respectful love (for example, for parents) and sacrificial love.

Love must not be 'just words'. It means something only when it is expressed in action and practical care and not just on special days, for example, offering help; being there when times are difficult' marking special days with cards and gifts, flowers, presents.

To love means putting other people's needs before your own.

Love isn't easy (see 1 Corinthians 13). It involves not giving up; taking time; listening; sharing suffering; being thoughtful. It is said that true love is spelled T I M E.

Love is powerful - motivating good causes; making a difference; overcoming barriers of prejudice and bringing people together.

 Christians teach that only when we love like this, can we become the best sort of people we can be. Christians believe that Jesus' life and work are our best examples of love in action and they also believe that as they trust in Jesus, he by his Spirit can inspire and work love out through their lives (see Romans 5:1).

Children (and adults) who do not experience love might become damaged in some way; for example, they can no longer trust another human being; they cannot settle; they see other people as a threat; and when older they may become withdrawn and even possibly violent.

Christians believe that a loving God made people in love, for love and that when this love is missing their wholeness as human beings to unravel.