Love Holds Us Together
INTRODUCTION
These can be challenging times both for us an individual but also our relationships as well. We are adjusting to new realities when it comes to relating with our friends and family. Some of us are keeping it together really well while others are struggling with the new norm. No matter where we are, God can meet our needs and give us peace and guidance. One area where he is challenging us is the area of love. As 1 Peter 4:8 encourages us, we need to love each other deeply and urgently during this time. The pandemic has us all starting to not take our very own lives for granted, let alone the lives of those we love. Therefore, let us try to be as present and engaged as we can with those around us physically and as we connect with those we cannot be with virtually.
Read 1 Peter 4:7-8
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What are some of the concerns or worries you or your loved ones have during this time? How can we be sharing that with one another and praying for one another to turn our thoughts and emotions towards God and his love for us during this time?
- Pastor Yang explained that the way love is described in 1 Peter 4:7-8 is to love with a sense of urgency. What would that look like in your life? Are there ways the challenges of physical separation can be opportunities to express God’s love in unique ways?
- Romans 8 reminds us that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God during this time and in all times. What are things that would that seek to separate you from God’s love in your life? What can you do about it?
REFLECTION
Think of ways that you can love and serve your friends and family during this time. If you have children, think of ways you can love and serve them now that they cannot be with their teachers. Parents around the world have now become homeschool teachers. Let’s keep them in our prayers as well.
SPEAK OUT LOUD AND KEEP IN MIND
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 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.
Romans 8:37-39