NUMA Covenant Groups Summer 2011 | week 1

love is patient

scripture. The Scripture we will be focusing on throughout summer comes from 1 Corinthians 13:4‐7. This is the most famous passage on love in the Scripture, other than John 3:16. In fact, you may have heard it so much that you have memorized parts (or all!) of it unintentionally! Here’s the passage:

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not , it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self‐seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

What an amazing passage on what love is. But there is a world of difference between awareness and action, between noticing and knowing and, then, experiencing it.

So what is love according to Scripture? Starting today and for the next nine weeks (through the end of August) we will pick apart 1 Corinthians 13:4‐7 discuss what it is saying to us and how we can live out love.

Here’s the schedule: Week 1: 7/11 Love is patient (13:4) Week 2: 7/18 Love is kind (13:4) Week 3: 7/25 Love does not envy (13:4) Week 4: 8/1 Love does not boast, it is not proud (13:4) Week 5: 8/8 Love does not dishonor others (13:5) Week 6: 8/15 Love is not self‐seeking (13:5) Week 7: 8/22 Love is not easily angered (13:5) Week 8: 8/29 Love keeps no record of wrongs (13:5) Week 9: 9/5 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth (13:6) Week 10: 9/12 Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (13:7)

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE. As we go through this “Summer of Love,” you’re encouraged to read this Scripture each week, even each day. You may think about writing and putting it up on your wall, or in your . Or in your office. The Bible says in Psalm 1 that those who are growing in Christ are “meditating on the Word day and night.”

Learning to live. As we discuss, teach and encourage one another, the is that you will live‐out love in ways that will interest you and inspire others. The reason we learn is not to acquire knowledge or just agree with “it” but to live “it.”

Love equals Let’s start with the word love. In Greek, “love” is the word . When the Bible says “God is love” it uses the word agape.

What does agape mean? 1. Unconditional. More than any other definition, agape is known as “unconditional love.” God is love because He loves us without condition. Here’s the “trippy” thing: God wants us to love others with the same love. Unconditionally. Crazy? Yes. That’s why they call it “crazy love.” 2. Divine. Unconditional love is impossible. Try to love someone when they hurt you. Or abuse you. Sometimes, even a small gesture that rubs us the wrong way causes us to fall out of love with someone. That’s why it’s divine love. Agape can only come from God. Want to learn about love? Spend time with God. There is no other way. 3. Thoughtful. God’s love, agape love, is meant to be thoughtful. It is intentional. It requires knowledge: knowing someone well enough to show love in a way that is meaningful to them: that is premise of the book “The Five Love Languages.” Love is thoughtful – it aims to share meaningful time, words, touch, gifts and service with someone in a way that connects uniquely and truly with someone. God’s love for us is thoughtful. It is not just emotional love. It is love that cares for us so much that God finds way to share love with us where we understand, “yes, this is love.” And God desires we would be thoughtful in love for others. 4. Affectionate. Finally, the word agape is a deeply affectionate word. It is full of thoughtfulness, but it is also full of great meaning and emotional depth. God feels love for us. And God’s desire is that we would feel His love for us.

Like most words in Greek, though, the definition is not enough. Agape is better seen as a picture, a scene. Imagine a feast. That’s what agape is. It is a banqueting table set up in your honor, full of things you delight in, that will bring life to you, there for you to enjoy. Endless amounts of great delight. It is a place where others can dine with you. The music is festive. The lighting is perfect. The atmosphere is pure and divine. That’s agape.

God’s desire is that we would know love and share love with others: agape love.

(Break off into small groups.)

Group question: What is the most difficult circumstance, place or person that you have found yourself (or continually find yourself in) that is the hardest to be patient with? (Share).

Love IS patient. The passage in 1 Corinthians 13:4 says “Love is patient.” God’s love for us and the love He desires we have for others is to be patient. What does it mean to be patient?

equalS.

In the of Scripture “Love is patient” reads, “ suffereth long.” The word “patient” is the word “long‐suffering” in Old English. Patience literally means:

1. Patience is about trusting in the Lord and not losing heart. The word patience literally means: to not lose heart but to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles. We all go through troubles and trials. In fact, said in John 16:33, “"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Patience is not just endurance, it’s to live with heart! It’s not just barely hanging on or huffing and puffing and just hoping not to explode, it’s about moving and maneuvering through troubles and trials with great heart! It’s not a mind trick or self‐manipulation. It’s about knowing this and believing this: Jesus has overcome the world! He has overcome your situation and circumstances. Those things are not meant to weight you down or, even worry you. But know that God is with you and He will be with you in all circumstances.

2. Patience is about extending mercy and forgiveness to other. To be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others and to be mild and slow in avenging to be longsuffering, slow to , slow to punish others. Patience is extending God’s unconditional love for us to those around us, fully and completely. Even when we don’t feel like it. Even when they deserve punishment. Even if they deserve our anger.

Discussion. Choose two questions to discuss in your small groups.

Are you a patient person? What would others say about you? [Discussion question]

How can you be more patient? [Discussion question]

In what circumstances do you need patience? [Discussion question]

To whom do you need patience with? [Discussion question]

A Simple and sacred conclusion. Love is patient. God is so patient with us. His desire is that we would learn and live out patience with others and with our circumstances at all times because we have experienced His unconditional love for us.

God is love. As we spend time with the God of love, we learn how to love like God does: with patience, with long suffering. To God, you are worth it.

As you begin this week, may the Holy Spirit inspire you and encourage you to spend time with the God of Love and learn to be more patient with your life, people around you and, the circumstances around you.