7Dear friends, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has become a child of God and knows God. 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9Here is how God showed his love among us. He sent his one and only Son into the world. He sent him so we could receive life through him. 10Here is what love is. It is not that we loved God. It is that he loved us and sent his Son to give his life to pay for our sins. 11Dear friends, since God loved us this much, we should also love one another. 12No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God lives in us. His love is made complete in us.
13Here’s how we know that we are joined to him and he to us. He has given us his Holy Spirit. 14The Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. We have seen it and are witnesses to it. 15God lives in anyone who agrees that Jesus is the Son of God. This kind of person remains joined to God. 16So we know that God loves us. We depend on it.
God is love. Anyone who leads a life of love is joined to God. And God is joined to them. 17Suppose love is fulfilled among us. Then we can be without fear on the day God judges the world. Love is fulfilled among us when in this world we are like Jesus. 18There is no fear in love. Instead, perfect love drives away fear. That’s because fear has to do with being punished. The one who fears does not have perfect love.
19We love because he loved us first. 20Suppose someone claims to love God but hates a brother or sister. Then they are a liar. They don’t love their brother or sister, whom they have seen. So they can’t love God, whom they haven’t seen. 21Here is the command God has given us. Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
1. In verse 8, what does it say about a person who does not love? Why is this significant?
2. How did God demonstrate His love for us, according to verse 9?
3. Verse 10 describes the true nature of love. How does this challenge our understanding of love in today's world?
5. Verse 15 explains how someone can remain joined to God. What does this mean in practical terms for our daily lives?
6. According to verse 18, why does perfect love drive out fear? How can we apply this in situations where we feel afraid?
7. Verse 19 states, “We love because He loved us first.” How does this truth impact the way we treat others?
8. What are some practical ways you can demonstrate God’s love this week?
9. Are there any fears in your life that need to be overcome by God's perfect love? How can you surrender them to Him?
10. Is there someone in your life whom you struggle to love? How can you rely on God’s love to help you love them better?
