Table Talk | Feb 3-4

This past weekend, we were blessed with a deeply moving sermon, “Love One Another Deeply” Our hearts were stirred as we delved into the essence of selfless love and its impact on our lives and community. Here are some key takeaways from the sermon:

– The Power of God’s Love: We reflected on the boundless strength of selfless, agape love as presented in 1 Peter chapter one. Our discussion emphasized hope, holiness, and harmony as we considered loving one another deeply, following God’s example.

– Understanding Love’s Facets: The sermon navigated through the various types of love from ancient Greek philosophy, highlighting the transition from philia (brotherly love) to agape (divine love), and how we can embody this love in our daily actions.

– Living Out Scripture: We were encouraged to plant the seeds of life by being truth-seekers and truth-keepers, starting from our children’s education to our own adult spiritual journeys. This involves a commitment to Scripture and recognizing the Lord’s goodness in our lives.

– Committing to Actionable Love: A call to action was made for us to plan and commit to specific acts of kindness, making love a lived experience, not just a concept. This reflects the very nature of God’s love for us, which is active and intentional. As we continue our week, let us carry these messages in our hearts and hands, letting them guide us in our interactions and decisions. May we be a living testament to the transformative power of divine love in all that we do.

1. Reflect on the concept of divine love (agape) as presented in 1 Peter 1:22. How can we practically demonstrate this selfless love in our own communities and relationships?

2. Pastor Todd highlighted the transition from hope and holiness to harmony in 1 Peter. Discuss what this transition means for us as believers and how it might look in practice within the church body. (1 Peter 1:22)

3. Considering the sermon’s exploration of the different types of love (philia, eros, and agape), how does understanding these distinctions deepen our comprehension of God’s commandment to love one another? (John 13:34-35)

4. Discuss the role of God’s Word in guiding us toward purity and obedience. How does obedience to the truth lead us to sincere love for each other? (1 Peter 1:22)

5. We learned about the imperishable seed of God’s Word that gives new life. Share a time when the Word of God took root in your heart and transformed you. How does this compare to the perishable things of the world? (1 Peter 1:23)

6. Truthfulness was emphasized as a core value in the sermon. How does living in truthfulness impact our spiritual growth and our ability to love others deeply from the heart? (Ephesians 4:15)

7. Pastor Todd encouraged us to be lovers, learners, and livers of truth. In what ways can we incorporate these aspects into our daily walk with Christ?

8. Consider the importance of accessing and experiencing God’s Word. How can we actively engage with Scripture to find sanctuary and recognize the Lord’s goodness in our lives? (Psalm 119:105)

9. Reflecting on the call to rid ourselves of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander, how can we instead cultivate behaviors that reflect the selfless love described in Scripture? (1 Peter 2:1)

10. Pastor Todd mentioned the importance of being born again through the living and enduring Word of God. How does this spiritual rebirth affect our perspective on life and eternity? (John 3:3-5)