Walk in the Light - Week 5
Walk In the Light - Week 5
We are commanded and empowered to love.
1 John 3:11 “11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”
1 John 3:24 “Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.”
1 John 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”
Love and hate can’t share the same heart.
1 John 3:12-15 “12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”
Hebrews 11:4, “By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.”
God's love is seen, shown, and shared
1 John 3:16, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”
1 John 4:9-10, “9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
How is Christ's love seen and shown?
1) Christ goes first.
1 John 4:10, “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
2) Christ love gives.
1 John 3:16a “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us..”
1 John 4:10b “ He loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins..”
How is it shared?
1 John 3:16-18, “16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
1 John 4:11-12, “11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”
What is the impact of knowing God's love?
1) Confidence of heart - 1 John 3:19-20, “19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.”
No fear in death - 1 John 4:17, “By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.”
No fear in life - 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”
1 John 4:19-21, “19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”
Small Group Discussion Questions
Understanding Love – Read 1 John 3:11 and 4:7. Why do you think John repeatedly emphasizes love as a commandment? How does this challenge or encourage you in your own life?
Love vs. Hate – 1 John 3:12-15 contrasts love and hate using Cain and Abel. What does this story teach us about the dangers of jealousy and resentment? How can we guard our hearts against these?
Seeing, Showing, and Sharing Love – According to 1 John 3:16 and 4:9-10, how did Christ model love for us? In what practical ways can we follow His example in our daily relationships?
Overcoming Fear with Love – Read 1 John 4:18. What does it mean that "perfect love casts out fear"? What fears in your life can be surrendered to God’s love?
Separating the Person from the Action – Reflecting on 1 John 4:19-21 and the sermon’s invitation analogy, how does seeing others through God's love change the way we handle hurt and forgiveness?
3-Day Devotional: "Living Out God’s Love"
Day 1: Love is Commanded and Empowered
📖 Read: 1 John 3:11, 3:24, 4:7
🔍 Reflection: Love is not optional for a believer—it’s a command. But God doesn’t just command us; He also empowers us through His Spirit (1 John 3:24). How does abiding in Christ enable you to love others better today?
🙏 Prayer: Lord, help me to remain in You so that Your love flows through me. Teach me to love as You have loved me.
Day 2: Love and Hate Cannot Coexist
📖 Read: 1 John 3:12-15, Hebrews 11:4
🔍 Reflection: Cain’s hatred of Abel was rooted in jealousy and a lack of faith. Are there any areas in your life where resentment or comparison is hindering love? Ask God to replace those feelings with His love.
🙏 Prayer: Father, cleanse my heart from bitterness, jealousy, and resentment. Fill me with Your love so that I may reflect You in all I do.
Day 3: Love That Casts Out Fear
📖 Read: 1 John 4:17-21
🔍 Reflection: God's love is perfect—it removes fear, restores confidence, and empowers us to forgive. What fears are you holding onto? How does understanding God's love change the way you approach fear and relationships?
🙏 Prayer: Jesus, I surrender my fears to You. Help me to trust in Your perfect love and walk confidently in the freedom You provide.