HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE:

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2 Thank you so much for picking up a sermon study guide! In this booklet you will find scriptures related to the Sunday talks here at Northpark Community Church and questions that will help you grow in your personal spiritual journey. HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE: For each week of the series, there is a reading and reflection questions for Monday - Friday. These daily questions are designed for personal reflection and would also lend themselves toward family discussions. Weekly questions, designed for further reflection with your family or in small groups can be found at the end of each week s readings. When discussing as a family or group, do not feel that all questions need to be answered. Choose the questions that you feel will generate the best discussion. Let others answer the questions without interruption or criticism. This should be a safe time to speak honestly. We hope this resource is useful to you. We would like to thank the individuals who took the time to put this together. If you have any feedback or questions, please contact Pastor Dave Raufman in the church office at or David@NorthparkCC.org.

3 THE PROMINENCE OF LOVE Week 1 FEBRUARY 5, 2017 MONDAY The word love as used in our culture today is confusing. We love chocolate, the New York Yankees, our spouse and children. Love may even be used as a synonym for sex. We understand that the word love has multiple meanings, but what does God mean by love? These studies will follow the pastor s talks about love as discussed in 1 Corinthians 13. First, we will look at the prominence of love, next, the nature, and permanence of love, and lastly the promise of love. We are beginning a journey of understanding God s love and the heart of God. Lord, You are our source of truth, justice, mercy and love. Help me to better understand You, Your nature, and what You expect of me as I read and ponder this study of love. READ 1 Corinthians 13 (NIV) 13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

4 THINGS TO PONDER (focus on verses 1-3) 1. How important is it to be motivated by love? 2. Which seems more important, faith that can move mountains or love? Why? 3. What do these three verses (1-3) have to do with motive?

5 TUESDAY Today, we will read the passage from Deuteronomy known as the Shema. It is Jewish practice to recite this passage twice each day. Notice that the passage begins with a command to listen, and is followed by actions for the family. We can see that loving God has prominence in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. Loving God, You are to have prominence in my heart, soul, and mind. Show me my heart and let me see anything competing for first place. Thank You for loving me first. Open my ears and heart to whatever You have for me now. Amen. READ Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NIV) 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. THINGS TO PONDER 1. Why after thousands of years is this passage still important to Jews and Christians? 2. How are parents to help their children remember God s commandments? 3. When are we most likely to not remember God s instructions?

6 WEDNESDAY In today s reading, Jesus is responding to a scribe s question about the most important commandment. The scribe is testing Jesus, because he already knows that the Shema (Deut. 6:4-9) states the most important command. Jesus adds to the Shema the command to love your neighbor. Lord, Thank You for Your Word. You make it clear what is important to You. Help me to put love into action. Amen. READ Mark 12:29-33 (NIV) 29 The most important one, answered Jesus, is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 31 The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. 32 Well said, teacher, the man replied. You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV) 37 Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. THINGS TO PONDER 1. What does Jesus add to the Shema? Why does He add this? (Speculate) 2. List all the commandment that you can. Put a LG by the ones that are about loving God, and put an LN by the ones that involve loving your neighbor. Do all the commandment hang on these two? 3. Why does God include heart, soul, and mind in loving Him?

7 THURSDAY Our overt actions are the result of unseen motivations. One can give out of guilt, out of wanting to impress, or give out of God s prompting. In the following reading God encourages us to certain actions. Note the motivation. Lord, I am naturally selfish, self-centered, and think everything is about me. Continue to transform me into Your likeness: forgiving, loving, merciful, and just. Thank You. Amen. READ Deuteronomy 5:8-10 (NIV) 8 You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 9 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 10 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 2 Chronicles 5:13 (NIV) 13 The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: He is good; his love endures forever. Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, THINGS TO PONDER 1. It is uncommon today to carve an image to worship. But, it is not uncommon for us to obsess on money, sports, music, and entertainment, clothes, cars, electronics and social media. What in your life tempts you to give your time and devotion? 2. How does your life (your actions and activities) express that you love God? 3. What is your favorite or most usual way of expressing love and thanksgiving to God?

8 FRIDAY In today s reading Jesus amplifies the Shema. We are coming to the conclusion that love is to be the prominent motivation in life---and not the selfish, selfcentered kind. We are also seeing how many other scriptures connect with 1 Corinthians 13. We are learning that without love as the motivating force all is empty and nothing. Lord, Your love endures forever. Thank You for helping me to understand Your heart and for catching glimpses of things as You see them. Amen. READ John 15:9-17 (NIV) 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one s life for one s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit fruit that will last and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other. THINGS TO PONDER 1. In light of our study of love, why is gossip a problem? 2. What are the costs of loving God with everything, and loving your neighbor as yourself? 3. How is it loving God to keep His commandments?

9 WEEKLY QUESTIONS For Small Group or Family Discussion 1. How do you explain or define love? 2. How are loving ice cream and a friend or relative different? 4. How do you express your love to God; how do you demonstrate love to people near you (neighbors)? 3. What aspect of love would you like to be more developed in your life? 4. How can you show love to those who are difficult for you to love?

10 THE NATURE OF LOVE Week 2 FEBRUARY 12, 2017 MONDAY As we continue our study of 1 Corinthians 13, we find the gap between what our culture says about love and what God says growing. Simplistically, our culture seems to say that love in marriage continues as long as spouses meet each other s needs. More exactly, as long as you meet my needs I love you. That principle extends to friendships. Relationship depends on my needs being met. The focal point of love is me. In contrast, God s kind of love is steadfast and unconditional. We will focus today on the nature of God s love. Lord, You are good, and Your love endures forever. Open my mind and heart wider to see the profound depth and character of Your love that I may love like You a selfless, enduring, and unconditional love. Amen. READ 1 Corinthians 13 (NIV) 13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

11 THINGS TO PONDER (read again verses 4-7) 1. List the attributes of love in verses 4-7. Circle those that are not very clear to you. 2. Now, look at the list and from 1 to 10 (low to highly developed). Rate yourself on your development of these attributes at this point. 3. What is your conclusion about yourself?

12 TUESDAY In the gospel and in the letters from John, we see that love was often discussed. In one place John describes himself as the one Jesus loved. We will look at several of John s passages on love with the aim of understanding the nature of love from God s point of view. Heavenly Father, You fill me with good things, the things I need. Your love endures forever and I ask that You transform me into Your likeness that I may love like You. I cannot do this on my own. Amen. READ 1 John 4:8-16(NIV) 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. THINGS TO PONDER 1. What does John say about an unloving person? 2. According to John, where does love begin? 3. If you want to be a more loving person, where do you begin?

13 WEDNESDAY An important principle in understanding God and the Bible is that you must consider the whole Bible when studying a particular verse. As you study today s passage from John remember that in Psalms and Proverbs it is repeated that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (See Psalm 111: 5, 10 as an example) We are to fear disrespecting God, but we are not to fear that Jesus sacrifice for sins excludes us, or that His love, mercy and forgiveness is insufficient for us. God s nature, His love, His character is understandable for us, but at the same time we are finite beings incapable of profound, complete understanding. O Lord, I sing praises to You. Your faithfulness fills the universe. Your love endures forever. Form Your mind in me and direct the direction of my feet. Amen. READ 1 John 4:18-21 (NIV) 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV) 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. THINGS TO PONDER 1. What are your biggest fears; what do you think is at the root of each fear? 2. Who initiated the love relationship between God and man? How does that work? 3. According to these passages, how can we be more loving? (No, it s not by gritting your teeth, holding your nose, and trying harder.)

14 THURSDAY With the rise of drug use in the 70 s, the concept of tough love was popularized. Instead of enabling and facilitating addictive behavior, parents were encouraged to withdraw support that enabled. Parents were encouraged to allow the natural consequences with the associated pain caused by the addictive behavior to be experienced. Enabling was not love. Read the following passage to see if God condones tough love. Lord, thank You for love that seeks the best for us. Thank You for love that does not condone nor facilitate sin. Thank You for loving me with discipline, patience and forgiveness. Thanks for not giving up on me. Amen. READ Hebrews 12:5-7 (NIV) 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, My son, do not make light of the Lord s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? THINGS TO PONDER 1. Do you think that God looks at our behavior and with a shrug and says, Boys will be boys? Explain. 2. How are discipline and love connected? 3. How has God disciplined you?

15 FRIDAY We are so good at breaking the rules. Our hearts are prone to deceit and we even lie to ourselves forgiving our infractions as small and inconsequential. How can we ever live in obedience? Consume the following scriptures seeking the help needed and proper motivation to live a life that pleases God. Lord, there is no way of deceiving You. You know my flimsy attempts at living a righteous life. Thank You for Jesus sacrifice that pays the forever penalty for my sins, and the Holy Spirit dwelling within to empower godly living. Amen. READ John 14:15-23 (NIV) 15 If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. 22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world? 23 Jesus replied, Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. THINGS TO PONDER 1. How does God help us in keeping His commands? 2. What is the reward for those who love God and seek to obey Him? 3. What is the good news contained within this passage?

16 WEEKLY QUESTIONS For Small Group or Family Discussion 1. How is God s love different than the kind of love that we see and hear talked about in society? 2. The Greeks had three words for love. Eros was romantic and/or sexual love. Phileo was brotherly love such as friendship. Agape was unconditional love that is unchanged by circumstances-- like a mother for her child. Which of these is closest to God s love? Discuss. 3. Excluding unselfish, love as described in 1 Corinthians 13, what do you think motivates people interacting with others? 4. Read aloud 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. All of us are in process. We are being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit to be more like Jesus. We have not arrived. Where do you see, in the area of love, room for more construction? Where do you see progress from what you were? 5. What amazes you about God s love?

17 THE PERMANENCE OF LOVE Week 3 FEBRUARY 19, 2017 MONDAY For many good or valuable items, someone will attempt to make a copy or counterfeit. 1 Corinthians 13 is God s description of the real thing, love. Counterfeit love abounds and those who don t know the truth are duped. Counterfeit love is whimsical, selfish, and impermanent. One falls into and out of counterfeit love which occurs almost by accident. Counterfeit love does not endure forever. Our focus this week is on the permanence of God s love. O Lord, You lover endures forever. Holy Spirit, guide me and teach me as I study and attempt to understand and internalize God s enduring love. READ 1 Corinthians 13 (NIV) 13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

18 THINGS TO PONDER (read again verse 7-10) 1. List all the descriptive words in verse 7-10 that point to the permanence of God s love. 2. Why do you think that the popular concept of love seems so unstable or circumstantial? 3. Why is eros or romantic love so influential in driving songs, literature, and film in our society?

19 TUESDAY Today s reading is one of the favorite scripture portions in the Bible. What does this reading from Romans say to you? Lord, I praise You, for You are good. You are the Eternal. Thank You for continuing to form Your character likeness in me. READ Romans 8:35-39 (NIV) 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. THINGS TO PONDER 1. What can separate you from the world s kind of love? 2. What can separate you from God s love? What is your reaction to this news? 3. What does God s kind of love tell you about Him?

20 WEDNESDAY God is not hiding from us. His character and the character of His love are revealed throughout the Bible. God is unchanging, not whimsical. He does not fall in and out of love with us. Today, we will look at two scriptures about God s love separated widely by time. Father, thank You for constant love, mercy, grace and forgiveness. Thank You for Your unbreakable grasp on me. Continue my education in knowing truth. Amen. READ Ephesians 6:24 (NIV) Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. THINGS TO PONDER 1. Grace means undeserved favor. What does Ephesians 6:24 mean? 2. What have you learned about God s love, so far? 3. Often when we blow it (sin) the enemy whispers, You are a failure, you are a loser, and God has just run out of patience with you, so just give it up! What is your answer to the Accuser (Satan)?

21 THURSDAY According to the Encyclopedia Judaica, Psalm 136 is known as Hallel ha-gadol or the Great Hallel. It is the daily Psalm read on the last day of Passover. This Psalm celebrates God s hand of love on His people throughout Jewish history. The repeated refrain is not vain repetition. Lord, how can I respond to Your love which I have no way of deserving, earning, nor manipulating, except by being overwhelmingly thankful, and loving You in return. Amen. READ Psalm Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. 4 to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. 5 who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. 6 who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. 7 who made the great lights His love endures forever. 8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. 9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever. 10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt His love endures forever. 11 and brought Israel out from among them His love endures forever. 12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever. 13 to him who divided the Red Sea asunder His love endures forever. 14 and brought Israel through the midst of it, His love endures forever. 15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea; His love endures forever. 16 to him who led his people through the wilderness; His love endures forever. 17 to him who struck down great kings, His love endures forever. 18 and killed mighty kings His love endures forever. 19 Sihon king of the Amorites His love endures forever. 20 and Og king of Bashan His love endures forever. 21 and gave their land as an inheritance, His love endures forever. 22 an inheritance to his servant Israel. His love endures forever. 23 He remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever. 24 and freed us from our enemies. His love endures forever. 25 He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever. 26 Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.

22 THINGS TO PONDER 1. What historical events are mentioned in this Psalm? 2. What is God s motive in each of these events? 3. This is not always clearly apparent in our own lives, but what does our study seem to be saying about the circumstances, trouble as well as blessings in our lives?

23 FRIDAY Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus and complete forgiveness. Thank You that because of Jesus I am seen in Your eyes righteous and unstained. Thank You that we are inseparable. Thank You for unfailing love and hope! Amen. READ 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 33:18-22 (NIV) 18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. THINGS TO PONDER 1. What is our reason for hope? 2. What does God s love promise that the world cannot promise? 3. Why would anyone reject God s love?

24 WEEKLY QUESTIONS For Small Group or Family Discussion 1. For you, what is the hope and promise of God s love? 2. Who besides God loves you unconditionally, at least so far? 3. How did Jesus demonstrate love? 4. What effect does it have on you knowing that God s love is permanent? 5. Why is it important to forgive well?

25 THE PROMISE OF LOVE Week 4 FEBRUARY 26, 2017 MONDAY Human development goes through stages. Piaget and others have studied how children progress from concrete thinking to abstract reasoning. Toddlers enjoy peek-a-boo until they are able to reason that the other remains even when fingers cover the eyes. We go through similar stages in spiritual development. We see now as a child, but we begin to recognize that the universe that we see is not the ultimate reality. There is a promise of a new heaven and earth, new bodies, and days without end in the presence of God. Father, somehow I know that ultimate reality is now clouded and that I will someday see things as they are. Meanwhile, help me to live this life in a way that pleases and honors You. Amen. READ 1 Corinthians 13 (NIV) 13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

26 THINGS TO PONDER (read verses 1 Corinthians 13:11-13) 1. From these verses, what is God s expectation about growth? 2. Is there anything advantageous about remaining a child? 3. What does this passage seem to indicate about the accuracy of our perceptions?

27 TUESDAY The Kingdom of God is both now and yet to come. Now, we demonstrate to the world the blessings and benefits of following and loving God in this life. God has chosen us to bless others and love Him in this life and forever. We are bonded to Him in love. God, Your love is forever. Thank You for choosing me to love and serve You. Continue growing me up. Amen. READ James 2:5 (NIV) 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? THINGS TO PONDER 1. What are the true riches in this life? 2. What gift is greater than even the wisdom of Solomon? 3. What does it look like to love God?

28 WEDNESDAY As Christ-followers we have within ourselves little to brag about. Even the faith to believe is a gift from God. We can t save our self. All our abilities and talents are gifts from God. Even in our self we have no power, no self-discipline or love. What we have is total reliance on God, dependent, humble and thankful. Note in today s scriptures God s provisions. God, I am reminded that You are the potter, and I am the clay. I am an empty vessel, You fill me with all good things. Even now as I make time to study Your word, it is You who enables me to understand and work out Your truth in my life and in my actions. Thanks. READ 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. Romans 5:5-8 (NIV) 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. THINGS TO PONDER 1. What do you see God doing in these verses? 2. List those things in you, that you have received from God---no credit to yourself: 3. What do you think God wants you to do with all that He has given?

29 THURSDAY I really don t remember what I am about to recount, but I have observed others and I assume I was no different. I came into the world with the idea that it is all about me. I clamored for food and drink, I cried for comfort and complained when I was wet, sleepy, irritable, and even bored. I demanded attention, and the comfort and needs of all other beings was incomprehensible. It was all about me. As the result of a miracle, I was born again. I began to see through born-again eyes that revealed that it is really all about Jesus. I am learning to follow Him, He is my source. He is the way. In fact, He is what life is all about. At this point, I don t see it all it s mainly just glimpses. Lord, help me to see with my new eyes, and understand with my new mind, and to follow with my new obedient feet. Lord, forgive me when I blink, forgive me when I respond with my old mind, and when my feet stubbornly falter. Amen. READ Ephesians 3:16-18 (NIV) 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, THINGS TO PONDER 1. How are you doing at growing up? What lets you know that you haven t arrived? 2. This is Paul s prayer for the church at Ephesus. How does it apply to you, today? 3. What do you pray for Northpark Community Church?

30 FRIDAY This may be a bit repetitious, but human nature is selfish in essence. We are not naturally good nor naturally loving. Our human efforts to conjure up love falls short of God s love. Only God can create a new and selflessly loving heart. We must draw on His resources. Note the scriptures in today s readings. (Your own prayer) READ Galatians 5:16-26 (NIV) 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. 1 John 4:16 (NIV) And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV) The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

31 THINGS TO PONDER 1. Make two columns. List the fruits of the flesh in one and fruits of the Spirit in the other. FLESH SPIRIT 2. Which do we produce naturally? Which are the result of God in us? 3. What are the outcomes of each kind of life?

32 WEEKLY QUESTIONS For Small Group or Family Discussion 1. Why is love not for wimps? 2. How can a person be more loving in loving like God loves? 3. When is it hard to do the loving thing? (Tough love) 4. List all the attributes you can of God s kind of love? 5. What have you learned about love?