Bible Passage
1 John 3:11-3:20
“A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so must you love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34,35
Read 1 John 3:11-20
- From verses 11-15, what does Cain teach us about the nature of hatred?
- Where should we look to understand the nature of love?
What does the cross teach us about what love is?
- How does the cross challenge the way we love one another?
- How should we apply verse 17?
- Think of other practical ways might we love “in action and in truth” (v.18) – within the fellowship group, within the wider church family, and with brothers and sisters around the world.
- As well as being a blessing to others, what effect should such love have on us?
How would you explain vv.19, 20a?
Why do you think he says v.20b?
Read 1 Peter 1:22-2:3
- What reason does Peter give for why we should love one another?
How does that help you love those in the church you might find hard to love, or to be bothered to make the effort to love?
- In 2:1 Peter tells us to rid ourselves of things that hinder and undermine love for one another. How do the things he mentions hinder and undermine love?
How do these show themselves in us?
[Other passages you could look at if you wanted are John 13:1-17 or 1 John 4:7-21]
