Building Blocks for Life:

Being Loving

Defined•A loving person is someone who seeks the highest good of another.

Memory Verses•Memory verses come from the letters of Paul and John (Rom. 13:9-10; 1 John 4:7-8).

Romans 13:9-10• For this, “You shall not commit adultery,

You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” • Love does no wrong to a neighbor;

therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

1 John 4:7-8•Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.•The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

Positive Examples•Ruth •God the Father and Jesus Christ

Ruth•Ruth demonstrated love by leaving her home in Moab and travelling to Judah with her bereaved mother-in-law, Naomi (Ruth 1, esp. vs. 16-17).

The Father and the Son

• Jesus Christ demonstrated love for lost mankind by leaving His home in heaven, coming to this land of sin and sorrow, and dying on the cross that we might be saved (Rom. 5:6-11; Phil. 2:1-8).

Negative Examples•Cain and Abel•Rachel and Leah

Cain and Abel•Cain was angry that God accepted Abel’s sacrifice but not his own (Gen. 4:1-8; 1 John 3:11-12).

Rachel and Leah•Rachel and Leah jealously competed for the affection of Jacob (Gen. 29-30:24; Prov. 27:4).

Application

•Do I really love myself?

•Do I really love others?

•Do I really love God?

Conclusion & Challenge•Do you realize the demands of God’s love (Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 5:14-15)? •Do you appreciate the promises of God’s love (Rom. 8:35-39)?