Love is a Verb Part 1 (Easter 4B Epistle)

Download a PDF of the Word One Bible Study for Easter 4B Epistle.

Text: 1 John 3:16-24 for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Series B

OBJECTIVES

Participants will:

1. Recognize and acknowledge that true Christian love requires action.
2. Recall times of service when their actions became learning experiences.
3. Understand that all service to God is ultimately a blessing as it draws the servant into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Bibles
Pencils
Paper

GROUP GUIDELINES

Divide into groups of 2-5 people.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

1. Each group will develop a commercial for a product of their choice, the product could be a real one, or each group could make up a product to sell through the commercial. The groups will have five minutes to put together the commercials for their product.
2. After the five minute preparation time have each group present their commercial to the class. Following the presentations of the commercials discuss the commercials and what technique each group used to sell their products.

LOOKING AT GOD’S WORD

1. What is the purpose of a commercial?
2. Read 1 John 3:16-24.
3. What do you think was John’s purpose in writing verse 18?
4. What does the word “this” refer to in verse 19?
5. Rephrase verse 19 to include “with actions and in truth” in place of “this.”
6. How are our hearts put at rest when we are aware of our sin? (verses 21-24)
7. What is God’s first and foremost command in verse 23? What action is called for in the second half of verse 23?

REINFORCING WHAT HAS BEEN LEARNED

1. Share a time when you felt used by God to be a positive commercial for what God’s love is all about.
2. Has there been a time when you were a bad commercial? Is God able to use that situation for good? How?

CLOSING

Close by thanking God for sending his Son, Jesus Christ, the ultimate example of love. Write a personal goal for the coming week which includes this idea of being a positive commercial for Christ that “loves not with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” Participants may share their goals with the group or they may keep them private.

by Scott and Krista Nagy

Originally published in Discovery Bible Studies 9, 1996.

Updated for youthESource in April 2015