Galatians 5:13-25 13You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 16So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God…

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

… 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

LOVE: DEFINED. FROM GREEK TO ENGLISH

• Storge: Love of family; Parent/child, siblings, cousins, etc.

• Phileo: Love between friends, appreciation

• Eros: The sense of being in love; romantic, intimate love (not in bible)

• Agapao: Unconditional love—selfless, sacrificial, sincere love. (most often “love” used in the Bible)

o You can’t earn it, you don’t deserve it, you can’t lose it, but you can reject it.

o Love is a choice—a choice to give and a choice to receive.

LOVE IS…

• …From God. God is Love. He has shown it.

o 1 John 4:7-21, Romans 5:8

• …God’s Greatest Gift and Our Greatest Desire

o John 3:16, John 15:9-13

• …The Greatest Commandment

o 1 Timothy 1:5, John 13:34; 15:12, 1 John 3:23, 1 John 4:21, 2 John 1:5, 1 Corinthians 16:13, 1 Peter 3:8, Mark 12:28-33

• …Evidence of faith, obedience and of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

o 1 John 4:7-21; 2 Timothy 1:7, John 13:35, John 15:9-13, 1 Peter 1:22

• …Hard. Sacrificial. Selfless. A choice that is proven by action in relationship.

o 1 Corinthians 13, Luke 6:32, Matthew 5:44, Ephesians 4:2, Romans 12:9-10, Colossians 3:14, 1 John 3:18

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:

Passages to consider: Galatians 5:16-26; 1 Corinthians 13; Matthew 22:36-40; 1 John 2:3-11

Icebreaker: What are family rules or house rules you have for how you function as a household, or how to play a certain game?

1. What was important for you to hear from this week’s sermon?

2. Read Galatians 5:16-26 and Matthew 22:36-40. Try re-telling what one passage says to a partner. What do these passages tell you about who God is and His way of life?

3. Who is a model for you in expressing love for God and for others? What have you seen in them?

4. What helps you walk by the Sprit? A) When are you more likely to walk in the old nature/flesh?

5. How would you recognize the fruit of love being formed in your life?

6. What is your response to what God is showing you?