Leaders, welcome your group- check in with them, especially if it's been a while since you've met. (if appropriate-and you need an icebreaker, launch your meeting with a fun question- How many pop songs can you name that has the word "love" in the title?)
Whether you're a Christ-follower or a skeptic, or anywhere in between, we all seem to be fascinated about love. Pastor Greg opens up with a story from Mark 12 where a jewish religious leader asks Jesus a question. Out of the 613 laws identified in the Torah, what's most important? [Have someone read Mark 12:28-31 aloud].
- Discuss what jumps out at you in these verses.
- Note that Jesus refers the leader back to the "Shema" the great Jewish confession of faith found in Deuteronomy, and combines with a Scripture in Leviticus.
- How can the group sum up these verses today?
Pastor Greg referred to this series as the "Deep & Wide" series. This is the life God calls us to- Have someone read aloud Ephesians 3:14-19. We want to grow in our relationship with Christ, grow in His love- and for us, that revolves around our 3 E's: Explore-the truth of who God is; Experience-His grace and loving presence in a personal way; and then Express that love to others around us.
- Discuss how folks in your group are discovering ways to live this out. (not perfectly! just intentionally)
- Focus on the last E-Expressing God's love to others around us. Discuss things that can make it difficult, challenging.
- Read the Scriptures from 1 John and John 13.
- We have an awesome church body that already expresses love within the walls and outside of the walls of our church. Give an opportunity to share what folks are already doing and what blessings they get out of it. Consider how to encourage any others in the group who have not yet dipped their toes into the Serving waters. Brainstorm what we all can do to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves.
Take time for any prayer requests and close in prayer asking God to lead us all (our whole church) in how we can Love God and Love People this week.
"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will certainly be wronged and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one--not even an animal. Wrap it carefully around hobbies and little luxuries...avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness, but in that casket--safe, dar, motionless, airless--it will change, your heart. It will not be broken...it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable."
C. S. Lewis
Read
Mark 12:28-31
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Leviticus 19:18
Ephesians 3:14-19
1 John 4:11
John 13:34-35
Reflect
Why do we sometimes pull back from expressing love to others?
How do I express the love of God to: family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, those "sandpaper people?"
Do
This weekend was our "Starting Point" weekend. One of the best ways to Express Love within the Body of Christ is to serve on a ministry team. If you are not serving anywhere at church, consider checking out one of the serving opportunities at your campus. There are even ways to serve together as a group or with your kids. Head to the app or the website thecrossing.church/serve for more information.
And if you are already serving- talk about what it feels like. How are you blessed by blessing others?
Sign up as a group to attend our all-campus
Dinner at The Crossing on September 21 at 6:30pm.