Christmas With Love

INTRODUCTION:
1 Corinthians 13:4-7

LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS
A. LOVE IS PATIENT and KIND
B. “Love is patient; [not short-tempered] and kind; [not mean]”

LOVE BELIEVES ALL THINGS
A. LOVE IS VIRTUOUS and RESPECTFUL
B. It does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. / “It is not rude.”

LOVE HOPES ALL THINGS
A. LOVE IS GRACIOUS and HOSPITABLE
B. “It is not resentful / It does not insist on its own way”

LOVE ENDURES ALL THINGS
A. LOVE IS HUMBLE and COMPOSED
B. “Love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant / It is not irritable”

CONCLUSION:
 
Small Group Discussion Questions

1. Both A Charlie Brown Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas highlight themes of rejecting commercialism and embracing deeper meaning during Christmas. How does this parallel the message of 1 Corinthians 13 about prioritizing love over superficial matters?

2. Find a copy of the “Wheel of Love” visual used during the sermon. Walk through each of the four major sections together and discuss the words, both positive and negative. What sticks out to you and why?

3. Now look at what “Love is...” from the notes or the visual and link each word specifically to Jesus Christ. Maybe it’s something he said, something he did, something he didn’t do that identifies Jesus Christ as “patient” or “kind,” “gracious,” etc.

4. The sermon encouraged us to “look in the mirror of Christ’s love.” (1 Cor. 13:12) As we reflect on our own shortcomings in love, how can we allow this to motivate us to pursue deeper intimacy with Jesus and become more like him?