Mid Week Message 10-30-18

Message Title: Omnibenevolence: The God Who Is Love

Series Title: Knowing God

Key verses:

Jeremiah 31:3, Hosea 11:4, 1 John 4:7-11, Jeremiah 9:23-24, John 17:3

Sermon Notes:

1. God is love. (1 John 4:8)

God had 4 choices in creation:

2. God could have created nothing at all.
3. God could have created a world where there was no such thing as good or evil.
4. God could have created a world where beings could only choose good.
5. God could have created a world like this one where beings would have the freedom to choose between good or evil. (Genesis 2)
6. The supreme ethic that God has given to us on earth is (Deuteronomy 6:4, John 15:12,1 John 4:7-8)
7. Freedom is indispensable to love. (Mark 12:28-31, John 21:15-17)
8. God’s ultimate proof of His love to you is centered in His Son Jesus. (John 3:16, 1 John 4:9-10, Romans 8:38-39)

Follow-up Questions from Sunday:

Getting to Know You:

What was one of your favorite love songs growing up?

Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?

Digging Deeper:

1. Read 1 John 4:7-8. What does this verse reveal to you about the nature and the heart of God?  When do you think you first discovered your capacity to receive and give love?  Where do you think love comes from and how important is it in your life?
2. How would you define love?
3. Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-7. How does love as described in this chapter compare to love as typically defined in our culture?
4. Who would you say is the top two or three persons that has loved you the most on this earth? How do you think their love for you has affected your life?
5. Who are the people that you have loved the most and how do you think your love has had an impact on their lives?
6. Have you ever loved someone that rejected you? Do you think that God knows how this feels?  Read Luke 22:47-48.  Can you think of any other examples in the bible?
7. How has God’s love for you changed your life? How do you think his love for you is continuing to change your life?
8. Why do you think God loves you? Why do you love God?

Taking it Home:

What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message and how can this group remember you in prayer this week?