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Rejoice in the Truth

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.” 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-6 NLT

THERE IS A SPIRITUAL BATTLE FOR TRUTH

“He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” JOHN 8:44 NLT

“Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. … I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love.” JOHN 15:4-9 MSG

THE TRUTH IS…

God is better at loving than the Enemy is at lying

“I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life.” JOHN 14:6 CSB

“Do not fear, for I AM with you; do not be afraid, for I AM your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.” ISAIAH 41:10 CSB

We can’t earn or lose God’s love

“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” TITUS 3:4-5 NLT

“I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. … But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me.” REVELATION 2:2-4 NLT

We have been entrusted with a life-changing purpose

“I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you.” JOHN 15:11-12 MSG

“Go to my brothers and tell them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, my God and your God. Mary Magdalene went telling the news to the disciples.” JOHN 20:17-18 MSG

“Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. … I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love.” JOHN 15:4-9 MSG

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Go to a quiet place that will help you to hear from God. Ask God to quiet your thoughts and emotions. If you need to, go for a walk and enjoy nature. Take a few deep breaths, and when you are ready, ask God to guide you in your reflections. Think about the truth that God loves you deeply. What feelings and thoughts surface as you reflect on this truth? What in your background makes it hard for you to rely on this truth? Next, consider the lies that the Enemy has spoken to you. What is a lie that challenges your trust that God will always love you? Ask God to help you replace the Enemy’s lie with an assurance of His love for you and a confidence to reject the lie that challenges your trust. Picture what your life would look like if you could grow in relying on this truth. Close your time by praying that God will impress upon you a person who needs to hear the truth of the gospel and His love for them. Ask Him to give you an opportunity and help you share this message with that person.

Discussion Questions

Choose a couple of the following questions from each section that best fit your group. Or, have everyone read the questions, choosing which one(s) from each section that they feel led to respond to.

  1. START HERE: What shapes people’s view of love?
  2. START HERE: What is the key to strong and healthy relationships?
  3. START HERE: How have you experienced love in a way that changed you?
  4. KEEP GOING: Read Titus 3:4-5 (NLT). We miss the heart of the gospel when we believe we’re loved because of our ‘good work’ and not our ‘good God.’ When in your life have you experienced the goodness (or mercy) of God’s love the most?
  5. MOVE FROM HIDING TO HEALING: The Enemy’s lies can lead us to hide our true selves from others. What lies have you believed about yourself that cause you to hide? *As each person shares, pause as a group, and ask God what truth He might want to say through you to one another to replace the lies of the Enemy.
  6. LIVE IT OUT: Read John 13:34 (NLT). We have a purpose to demonstrate God’s love to others. In what practical ways can you share the love of Jesus with others this week?
  7. LIVE IT OUT: The most loving thing we can ever do is lead someone into the truth of Jesus. Who is someone in your life who needs to hear the gospel and that you will commit to praying for this week?