Key Thought : Christ’s loving service to us should awaken a loving response as the basis for our witness as reflected in our loving ministry to others.

[Teaching plan for A Love Response  June 4, 2012]

1. Have a volunteer read I John 4:18,19.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Does this mean that we aren’t supposed to fear God? Why do other texts tell us to fear God and keep His commandments? Share.
C. Personal Application: Hoe much motivation do you have to do God’s work? How much motivation do you see in fellow church members to do God’s work? What does it say about our relationship with God?
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “How can anyone love a God that you can’t see, haven’t met, and lived over 2,000 years ago? Love takes time spent with the one you love. It’s not possible to spend time with God.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read John 14:21.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What does it mean to “have” Christ’s commandments? How does Jesus manifest Himself to us?
C. Personal Application: What is your motivation for obedience to God? Are you afraid of consequences of not keeping the commandments? Are you afraid of being lost if you don’t? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “We are saved by grace, not by law. Christ freed us from the law. So to try to keep God’s commandments is legalism. Are you a legalist?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read John 8:34-36.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why are guilt and duty as slaves not a good motivation to eitness?
C. Personal Application: Do you consider yourself free from sin and a servant of Christ? How do you perform your duties as a servant? Share..
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Everybody sins – so everybody is a servant of sin. When people come to Christ, they still sin – so they are still slaves to sin. Unless people stop sinning, they aren’t free from sin. So does Christ give us the power to stop sinning?” How do you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Romans 10:1-4.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What does it mean that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness?
C. Personal Application: In what ways can we get caught up in trying to
Establish our own righteousness instead of trusting in Christ alone? Share.
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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