Whether you’re single, dating, engaged, or married we are all diving deeper into what it means to have God at the center of who we are and how we love.

Over the past two weeks, we have been diving into relationships and exploring the relatable desire to find “the one”. We have learned that no matter who we are, there are no perfect people, only a perfect God.

Key Takeaway

God’s love is: demonstrated, initiated, and sacrificial.

In fact, human relationships can often be disappointing when we look to them to supply what only God can. Underneath our search for the perfect woman or the perfect man is actually a deeper longing for a perfect God. In the Bible, the apostle John helps us to understand what God’s perfect love actually looks like.

Through his words, we can learn more about how we can experience that love and share it by loving others well. John explains that God loved us first, even when we didn’t deserve it. He didn’t just tell us he loved us; he demonstrated it to us through the life and sacrifice of his son Jesus.

If we want to know what real love looks like, we should look to Jesus.

We are called to love others, but God does not ask us to manufacture that kind of love on our own. He supplies it by his Holy Spirit within us. When we receive his love ourselves then it can flow through us to others.

As we intentionally love others, God is made visible to a world who doesn’t know him yet. There may not be any perfect people, but when we live with the spirit of a perfect God in us, we become more like him and our love grows more perfect every day.

Pray

Prayer is our time to talk to God. Let this prayer inspire your conversations with God this week.

Father, we come to you with a grateful heart, fully recognizing that, not only are you the perfect God, you are in fact the only true and living God. In a world that is constantly seeking true love, you provided us with the blueprint when you sent your only son to pay the sacrifice for our sins.

We attempt to follow your son’s example, but we fall short. We ask you to teach us to love like you, and we thank you for not leaving us where you found us.

We pray for patience today, tomorrow, and in the coming months as we share your love with our surrounding community. Thank you for sending your son to show us what true love looks like. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Worship

Bring the worship set from this weekend into your Slot and Spot and take a moment to intentionally receive God’s love.

• I Thank God by Maverick City Music
• Believe for It by Cece Winans
• The One You Love by Elevation Worship

Learn

This week, read through the scripture shared in the message and dive deeper into God’s word.

• Read – 1 John 4:9-19
• Read – John 13:35
• Read – The Love of God
• Watch – Bible Project’s Agape/Love
• Listen – 1 John from Through the Word

Reflect

Reflect on these questions during your Slot and Spot/discussions with others.

Beneath our search for “the one” is actually a deeper longing for a perfect God. What would it look like for you to begin exploring that longing instead of ignoring it?

• What has influenced your understanding of love up until this point – family, culture, relationships?
• If love isn’t something you earn but something you receive, how does that reshape the way you view faith?

Read 1 John 4:9-10. John says God showed how much he loved us by sending us his son, Jesus.

• What does it reveal about God’s character that his love is demonstrated, not just declared? How does that shape the way you understand love?
• John writes, “Not that we loved God, but that he loved us.” What stands out to you about that order? How does knowing that God loved you first impact your personal faith journey or the way you approach God now?

Love makes the invisible God visible. God’s love is brought to full expression through us loving others.

• Does the way you currently love others reflect and reveal God’s love to the world around you? Why or why not?
• What’s the difference between loving someone intentionally vs loving them conveniently? What would intentional love require of you?
• Who’s one person this week you can choose to love deliberately – not out of obligation, but as an overflow of the love you have received from God?

Next Steps

Before we can love others we need to be filled up with God’s love. This week, intentionally receive God’s love each day. Spend some time in his Word and remind yourself that you are loved unconditionally. Then, choose someone in your life on whom you can reflect that love.

Take a step to love others well by using the gifts that God has given you. Join us at Plugged In this month and find your place and part on our J-Team.