The Life of Love
The life of love is where union with Christ reaches its fullness, marked by surrender and fearlessness, a love that surpasses knowledge.
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The vision of Ozark Christian College is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying Christians worldwide. The mission of Ozark Christian College is to train men and women for Christian service as a degree-granting institution of biblical higher education.
Classroom Instructions
Lesson
Discussion: 1.) This final season on the spiritual spectrum can be a bit controversial. Some would argue that this level of spiritual achievement isn’t realistic and therefore shouldn’t be included when looking at discipleship. Others argue that it is achievable in the Christian life, and at worst is a good goal to shoot for even if you can’t reach it. What about you? What do you think about “the life of love” where union with Christ reaches its fullness? 2.) Two characteristics of a life of love are surrender and fearlessness. How have you experienced these things in your own journey with Christ? What has he helped you no longer fear and no longer need to control? What about on the other side? Where is he helping you in your fear and in your need to control? 3.) How do you hear Paul’s phrasing of a “love that surpasses knowledge” (Eph 3:19)? What resistances or joys do you experience in thinking about a love that is more than we can know or understand? 4.) ACTIVITY: Real Case Studies Over these courses, we have done case studies as a way to consider how we would play a role in helping someone know Jesus more and deeper. For the final case study, let’s make it concrete. Pick a partner in the group, and pair off together where you can tell each other your testimony - your story of what it’s been like as a follower of Jesus. Then answer the following questions: A.) What do you think are this person’s greatest discipleship needs? B.) What practical things would you do to help this person come closer to Christ? Afterward, spend some time debriefing this experience. What was it like to consider someone’s real-life situation in this manner? What were you able to share with them that seemed helpful? What would it change to think of others like this? 5.) PRAY: Pray together about helping one another reach fullness in Christ (Eph 3:19). Ask the Spirit to inspire your group with ways to encourage a deeper and fuller walk with Jesus.
The Life of Love Instructions
Lesson
Discussion: 1.) This final season on the spiritual spectrum can be a bit controversial. Some would argue that this level of spiritual achievement isn’t realistic and therefore shouldn’t be included when looking at discipleship. Others argue that it is achievable in the Christian life, and at worst is a good goal to shoot for even if you can’t reach it. What about you? What do you think about “the life of love” where union with Christ reaches its fullness? 2.) Two characteristics of a life of love are surrender and fearlessness. How have you experienced these things in your own journey with Christ? What has he helped you no longer fear and no longer need to control? What about on the other side? Where is he helping you in your fear and in your need to control? 3.) How do you hear Paul’s phrasing of a “love that surpasses knowledge” (Eph 3:19)? What resistances or joys do you experience in thinking about a love that is more than we can know or understand? 4.) ACTIVITY: Real Case Studies Over these courses, we have done case studies as a way to consider how we would play a role in helping someone know Jesus more and deeper. For the final case study, let’s make it concrete. Pick a partner in the group, and pair off together where you can tell each other your testimony - your story of what it’s been like as a follower of Jesus. Then answer the following questions: A.) What do you think are this person’s greatest discipleship needs? B.) What practical things would you do to help this person come closer to Christ? Afterward, spend some time debriefing this experience. What was it like to consider someone’s real-life situation in this manner? What were you able to share with them that seemed helpful? What would it change to think of others like this? 5.) PRAY: Pray together about helping one another reach fullness in Christ (Eph 3:19). Ask the Spirit to inspire your group with ways to encourage a deeper and fuller walk with Jesus.