LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:24 PM Page 2
LOVE MOVEMENT TAKE ACTION VIDEO SERIES WHAT IS LOVE? CURRICULUM
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:24 PM Page 3
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS On behalf of the Love Movement community from around the world we would like to express our deepest gratitude to those who have supported us through prayer, words of encouragement, time, organizational support, and financial gifts. This experience has shown us that those who make up the global church, individual believers, churches, and organizations, can be united together on the Great Commandment; love God and love your neighbour as yourself. We need to thank our wives, Christina Joy Porter and Erin Gordon as well as our children and extended families for their support of the vision God has put on our hearts. Without their prayers, grace, and encouragement this movement would not have the opportunity to grow. There have been individuals and families who have been praying for us from the very beginning. These people have helped feed the growth of the Love Movement from its conception. A huge thank you to Willowdale Baptist Church for housing the Love Movement and being a body of believers that has prayed and supported the work that God is doing through Love Movement. Many thanks to the young people around the world who are championing God’s love in both word and deed. A list of supporters can be viewed at: www.lovemovement.org/supporters It is from the bottom of our hearts that we express love back to you through lifting you up in thanksgiving. Praise God for He is moving. We look forward with excitement and much anticipation in uniting with you all to bring glory to God. Amen. +<3 Benjamin Porter and Joel Gordon; Co-Founders of the Love Movement Copyright © 2012 by Love Movement All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever including graphically, electronically, mechanically or through recording or data storage systems without the prior written permission of the publisher or, in the case of photocopying or other reprography techniques, without the permission of Love Movement. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:24 PM Page 1
LOVE MOVEMENT
TAKE ACTION VIDEO SERIES WHAT IS LOVE? CURRICULUM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Love Movement is designed to revive a biblical understanding and expression of love. This resource tool empowers small groups to grow in their love for God and their love for others with a focus on building relationships and committing to reflecting God’s love in everyday life.
SESSION 1 What is love? SESSION 2 Best example of love? SESSION 3 TAKE ACTION JOURNAL Reflection with daily prayer, Bible engagement and sharing God’s love. TAKE ACTION daily to love others. Preparation time: 10 minutes Session time: Each of the three sessions can be completed in 20 minutes Getting Started: Please remember to register your curriculum and instantly receive great incentives from our partners: www.lovemovement.org/register Review the leader’s Guide at: www.lovemovement.org/leaders Materials required: Bibles and pencils or pens for everyone, Love Movement DVD and Love Movement Take Action Video series workbook with journal.
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:24 PM Page 2
SESSION 1
What is love?
LOVE MOVEMENT
Introduction Write down a few words that you might use to describe love.
(Read the paragraphs below out loud in a group setting) Many people spend their lives in search of it. From the dawn of the written word until now, there is one topic that has captivated the hearts and minds of poets, teachers, preachers, songwriters, playwrights, and filmmakers alike. That topic is love. Pop Culture & Love Today, we hear a great deal about love from friends, parents, and media but the messages from popular culture are often misleading. Not only are the messages about love often distorted in our society, but the word love is also used in many different ways. A great deal of the confusion about love stems from the fact that in the English language, four letters are used to describe a complex concept with varied meaning.
Watch Love Movement | Take Action Video Series | Video 1
1. What ideas do your favourite movies and songs associate with love?
2
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:24 PM Page 3
2. What are the major influences that shape your understanding of love?
LOVE MOVEMENT
Popular media influences often lead us to believe that love is a self-serving, sexual,
pleasure-driven feeling. Psychologists and other experts in human behaviour and health have researched and found that this understanding of love is unhealthy.
Watch Love Movement | Take Action Video Series | Video 2
3. What are some of the unhealthy results from following popular beliefs about love?
4. Why should we be aware of how popular media and commercials are influencing us?
Many media influences encourage an understanding of love that is self-focused. A selfish
understanding of love is unhealthy. Not only do psychologists believe that selfishness
is unhealthy, but Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word also teaches that love is not self-seeking in 1 Corinthians
13:5. The Bible describes love as being others focused and it is through knowing and loving God that we learn to love others.
LoveMovement.org
3
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:24 PM Page 4
True Love
LOVE MOVEMENT
As we dig deeper in God’s Word to get a better understanding of love, one of the first points we need to understand is that, “we love because God first loved us”. 1 John 4:8 Since God loved us first, Love originates with God. Love is also an important part of God’s character. God is holy, God is all knowing, God is all powerful, God is triune, God is sovereign, God is just, and God is love. “God is love” is a truth is shared in 1 John 4:8 & 16. Let’s gain some more clarity about this truth, “God is love” by exploring what the word “love” really means in that statement. There is a great deal of confusion about love in our world. Since we know that “God is Love” (1 John 4:8,16) and “Love is of God” (1 John 4:7), Satan tries to deceive us about the essence and nature of love. We might say, “Mom, I love
you”, ”I really love chocolate”, or “I know my dog loves me”, but each phrase uses the word “love” in a different way. The use of the word “love” in the English language can
be confusing. The Ancient Greek language separates “love” into four different words (agápe, éros, philía, and storgē), each with a specific meaning. The Greek work, “eros” describes the idea of sexual attraction or sensual longing. “Eros” is the type of love
that is most often referred to in music, movies and romantic novels. Our culture
promotes this type of love (eros) as a selfish, pleasure-driven type of love. Storgē is 4
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:24 PM Page 5
understood in English as affection for someone. The other two Greek words, Agape and philia are used in the Greek texts of the New Testament. Philia refers to friendship or brotherly love. Agape describes a type of sacrificial, unconditional, never-ending, perfect love that God exemplifies.
LOVE MOVEMENT
5. Read 1 John 4:16. Is this love the Agape or Philia type of love?
Love Movement is inspired by God’s love, the “Agape” type of love. By understanding
what love means, we can be more effective in exemplifying it in our lives. The Bible offers great truth and insights about what love means, how it can be found, and how it can be applied in our lives.
In the next session, we’ll look at the best model for understanding love.
LoveMovement.org
5
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 6
SESSION 2
Best example of love?
Watch Love Movement | Take Action Video Series | Video 3
LOVE MOVEMENT
Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; humble life, sacrificial death, and bold resurrection is the best example of love. 1. Read 1 John 3:16. How do we know what love is?
It took God Himself, coming down to earth in the form of a man and laying down His life to save us from spiritual death and separation from God. Because of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sacrificial love, a free gift that we can choose to accept, we can experience His forgiveness, faithfulness, grace, and hope. In both difficult and joy filled times, we should stand firm in His love for us. On the one hand God loves us and wants the best for us, on the other hand, he is just and must punish sin. As it did in the Garden of Eden, sin separates us from being in relationship with God. Because of the sacrificial love of God who sent his perfect son, Jesus to lay down his life for us, we can be back in relationship with God. It is through relationship that love is expressed. Love is unconditional, it never fails, it is found in relationships, and it is expressed through action. Read Romans 5:8 (additional reading: John 3:16) 2. Is love described as action or emotion?
Love is most often described in the bible as action and is expressed in relationship to God, others, and self. 6
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 7
The Great Commandment 3. Read: Deuteronomy 6:5 and Matthew 22:37-40. Who are we commanded to love?
When we understand what love is, we’ll better understand why we should care about others. Love Movement hopes that you will be inspired to take action with your friends
Watch Love Movement | Take Action Video Series | Video 4
LOVE MOVEMENT
partnering with Churches and Christian organizations that are committed to loving others.
Studying the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ provides the perfect model of understanding of what love is, how we are loved, and who we are commanded to love.
In loving God and others, let’s first take action in building our relationship with God through reading the Bible, worship, praying and fellowship.
Visit lovemovement.org/resources for a list of great resources to help you grow in your relationship with God. If you have not have not accepted the free gift of God’s love, visit: http://lovemovement.org/god-loves-me
To take action in fulfilling the second part of the great commandment, loving others, our
hearts need to be moved by the things that move the heart of Jesus. While he was living
on the earth as a man, Jesus cared for and had friendships with people who were hated by many. LoveMovement.org
7
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 8
4. How can we love others at home, school, work, while playing sports, and even church?
Since we are born into sin, we have to fight against our selfish nature to put others first. Read: Philippians 2:3-4
LOVE MOVEMENT
Session Review Love, as described in the Bible, is sacrificial, selfless, others focused, within relationship,
humble, trusting, truthful, obedient, patient, caring, and kind. Love Movement’s first
curriculum, “What is love?” from the Take Action Video series can be reviewed and repeated with the same group. Our hope is that by doing the Love Movement Take Action Video series you will grow deeper in your understanding of Love through the learning, the action components, the ongoing reflection, sharing and journaling. The next time you hear the word love, remember that God is Love. God loves us and commands us to love Him and to love others as we love ourselves. What are some words that you now associate with love? Compare these words with what you wrote at the top of this page. What is important to remember about Love? Love is an attribute of God’s character. (1John 4:8) God loved us first. (1 John 4:19) Love exists in relationship with God, others and self. (Matthew 22) We are commanded to love God and others. (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:36-40) Having love is the foundation for serving God. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) We know what love is by knowing that Jesus laid down his life for us. (1John 3:16) Love is shown through sacrifice, giving, putting others first, relationship building and taking action. Your voice and actions can be used to show God’s love to the world, so TAKE ACTION today! Commit to showing love to the people you meet everyday. 8
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 9
SESSION 3 What is love? TAKE ACTION
LOVE MOVEMENT
Take a few moments on your own to brainstorm and write down three ways that you and
your group can show love in your church, school, or in your local community. Who can
you show kindness to in your church? Who is in great need around the world? Who are the people with needs in your local community?
(Break into small groups of 3-5 people) Share your ideas with your group and take some time to pray about the ways that God can use you and your friends to show His love to your community.
Engage in a full group discussion and choose one idea for your group. Nominate
two people to follow through with coordinating and setting a date to show love to others in your community.
With your group, you can commit to giving, fundraising, or serving alongside Christian organizations that care about the poor, forgotten and the oppressed. To see what other groups are doing and to get more ideas from Love Movement’s curriculum partners, visit:
www.lovemovement.org/takeaction
Watch Love Movement | Take Action Video Series | Video 5
United with hundreds of other Love Movement members and Take Action with our curriculum partners: www.lovemovement.org/takeaction Keep in touch with us and let us know how your group is planning to take action! We might ask to feature you and your friends on the TV show, “Love is Moving”. info@lovemovement.org 32 Day Reflection Journal LoveMovement.org
9
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 10
LOVE MOVEMENT 10
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 11
Love Movement’s Take Action Curriculum The Love Movement exists so that you can learn more about God’s love and in response, develop a greater love for God and a deeper love for your neighbour as yourself. This transformation is a process. As you are learning and going into the the following 32 day journal, you can reflect on a scripture verse everyday and think through how you can express love in your daily life. Each day, there is a suggested
LOVE MOVEMENT
community with your friends, take time to learn and express love in your own life. In
way to Take Action in living out love, but this is only a suggestion. Be in prayer for how God wants you to respond to His love. His desire for you is to share His Good News with others and to love your neighbour as yourself. He may show you immediately how you can demonstrate love and kindness or He may show you something as you go about your day. As you journey through this journal, be in prayer for what God
wants to reveal to you. Through prayer and being in His Word, God will show you how to live out your faith. Take courage to live it out. After you do this, praise Him for using you and make a commitment to reading the Bible, being in prayer and showing love everyday. All scripture passages are from the New Living Translation. James 1:22
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
32 day themes/outline: Sections 1
Recognize God and His love for you
2
Repent
3
Forgive
4
Love God
5
Love Others
LoveMovement.org
11
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 12
Section 1: Recognize God In this section, spend time reflecting on God. Thank God for how awesome He is. For He is the God who created you in His image and He is the God who cares so much for you.
Day 1
LOVE MOVEMENT
1 John 4:19 We love each other because he loved us first.
Take Action: Spend time in prayer and singing songs thanking God for His love and what He has done for you. Write some thoughts, a poem or a song of thanks below, acknowledging Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s abundant love for you. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
12
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 13
Day 2 Deuteronomy 6:5
Take Action:
LOVE MOVEMENT
And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.
Spend some time praying, thanking God for loving you, and ask God to forgive you for not showing love to specific person in your life. Also, ask God to give you opportunities to do something kind to that person. After praying, write some thoughts about what you could do. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
LoveMovement.org
13
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 14
Day 3 Romans 8:38-39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. 38
LOVE MOVEMENT
Take Action: Know, that no matter what you have done, God loves you. He wants you to have a heart that surrenders to Him and has love for others as He loves you. Share this thought with someone today. Write about what it means to you to be eternally connected to God’s love as a Christian. You may also choose to write about how it felt to share this verse with someone today. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
14
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 15
Day 4 Romans 5:8
Take Action: Spend time in prayer thanking God for his love for you, for sending His son Jesus to teach, die, and defeat death. Write a reflection below. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
LoveMovement.org
15
LOVE MOVEMENT
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 16
Section 2: Repent After the fall, when sin entered the world, people have been born into brokenness. We are born into sin. God created us for relationship but because of our sin we are separated from Him. Jesus made a way for us to be in relationship with God, through his death and resurrection. We must repent of our sin to be in right relationship with God. This needs to happen in order to truly love others.
LOVE MOVEMENT
Day 5 Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24Â leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. 23Â
Take Action: It will be hard, but when someone comes against you do not let it bother you for God loves you. If your friends are making fun of another person, take a stand for that person and encourage them. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
16
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 17
Day 6 1 Corinthians 13:4
Take Action:
LOVE MOVEMENT
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud.
Do you find yourself wishing you could have more? More money, more friends, more stuff? Do you find yourself looking at other people thinking they are better than you or wishing you could be them? Spend some time thanking God for what He has done for you and submit your concerns at His feet. And if you have a lot, spend time thanking God for what you have and do not act as though you are better than those who have less. Rather, find ways to help others without taking credit for it. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
LoveMovement.org
17
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 18
Section 3: Forgive Just as Jesus has forgiven us when we repent and turn away from sin, we are to forgive others. To truly love God and love others we must forgive those who have said and done things to hurt us. We can do this for God loves us and accepts us. Pray for Him to give you the strength to truly see past words and actions to the heart of the person. People who attack you are broken people, just as you were broken before God forgave you and accepted you into His life here and now.
LOVE MOVEMENT
Day 7 Leviticus 19:18 Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbour as yourself. I am the LORD.
Take Action: Think of a person who you may have said or done something wrong to and do or say something nice to them. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
18
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 19
Day 8 Matthew 18:21-25 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
22
“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”
LOVE MOVEMENT
21
“Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. 24 In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. 25 He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt.” 23
Take Action: Is there anyone you need to apologise to? If so, pray for an opportunity to make up with this person. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
LoveMovement.org
19
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 20
Day 9 John 8:1-11
LOVE MOVEMENT
Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”
4
They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
6
When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 9
11
“No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
Take Action: No matter what you have done, confess it to God in prayer and turn from it. God will forgive you so you then can forgive others. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
20
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 21
Day 10 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Take Action:
LOVE MOVEMENT
4
If someone has done something mean to you, remember God loves you and accepts you. Pray to God asking him to help you forgive them. Often times when someone says or does something mean to another it is because they are feeling unloved and not accepted. Ask God to help you to be caring for them. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
LoveMovement.org
21
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 22
Day 11 Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.
LOVE MOVEMENT
Take Action: If someone has offended you, forgive them. Pray for them. Ask God for patience and wisdom in these situations. Remember, the God of creation loves you and accepts you. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
22
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 23
Section 4: Love God
Day 12 1 John 4:10 This is real love窶馬ot that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
Take Action: Spend some time thanking God through prayer and singing for what He has done for you. Realise that Jesus, God, created you, came to earth to make a way for you, to forgive you, so you can be in relationship with Him. Through praising Him for this, you are building your relationship with Jesus our Lord and Saviour. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
LoveMovement.org
23
LOVE MOVEMENT
We are called to love God. To be in right relationship with God, we must submit to God and love Him. We can express love to God through prayer, Bible reading, and singing, thanking Him for what Jesus has done for us in expressing love. Love is knowing. This knowing goes deeper when you spend time developing relationship with the other. God knows everything about you. He is the one who created you. Spend time listening to God, your Heavenly father, and getting to know Him more through conversing with Him, learning more about Him through Bible reading, and praising Him through song.
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 24
Day 13 John 17:23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.
LOVE MOVEMENT
Take Action: Unity is an important part of love. Find ways that you and your friends can come together and show love to another group of people. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
24
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 25
Day 14 1 Corinthians 13:13
Take Action: Remember, God’s love never fades away. Do not give up on those around you, because God did not give up on you. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
LoveMovement.org
25
LOVE MOVEMENT
Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 26
Day 15 1 John 3:1-3
LOVE MOVEMENT
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. 2 Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. 3 And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
Take Action: It is amazing how God views us as His children. He will provide for us, He has a plan and purpose for us. He knows and wants what is best for us. Make a commitment to God to strive for purity in all you think, do and say. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
26
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 27
Day 16 1 John 4:12
Take Action: As you spend time praying to God, submit yourself to Him. Allow Him to rise up within you and live out love through you. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
LoveMovement.org
27
LOVE MOVEMENT
No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 28
Day 17 1 John 4:9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.
LOVE MOVEMENT
Take Action: Share this verse with someone you know who needs to know about God's gift of love through Jesus Christ. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
28
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 29
Day 18 Matthew 22:34-40 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Take Action:
LOVE MOVEMENT
34
Think of ways you can love and serve God by loving others. We are to love, so how will you put love into action? Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
LoveMovement.org
29
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 30
Section 5: Love Others
LOVE MOVEMENT
Just as you have been building your relationship with God through spending time talking and listening to Him through prayer and singing, we are also commanded to love each other. We do this through building relationships with other people in our daily lives. We are all made in the image of God. Love exists in relationship, so spend time listening and getting to know those around you more and more. As they open up to you and as you open up to them, you can find ways to care for them, how you can support them, how you can live out love through helping them. Love is willing. Be willing to get to know people deeper, to care for people, as you serve others, as you live out love in your life.
Day 19 John 13:34-35
34 “ So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
Take Action: What can you do to be known for love? Make a list of practical things that you can do your daily life to be more caring to others. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
30
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 31
Day 20 Galatians 5:6 For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.
Take Action:
LOVE MOVEMENT
6Â
We recognize that God is love and that he loves us. As followers of Jesus, we are to care for each other. Ask God to bring to mind someone in your school or university that you could get to know and be supportive of. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
LoveMovement.org
31
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 32
Day 21 1 John 4:7-8 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
7
LOVE MOVEMENT
Take Action: Living out love is living out God’s character. For God is love. When you are living selflessly in obedience to God’s Word you are bringing Glory to God. What ways this week can you seek to live out your faith through loving others? Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
32
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 33
Day 22 Philippians 2:1-4
Take Action: Brainstorm some ways that you can put others above yourself. You could attempt to get to know someone that is often alone. Be an encouragement to someone today. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
LoveMovement.org
33
LOVE MOVEMENT
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 34
Day 23 Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbour’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” 43
LOVE MOVEMENT
Take Action: Take note of those who most disregarded, those who are made fun of or avoided, and when you have an opportunity be a blessing to that person. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
34
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 35
Day 24 John 15:5
Take Action: When you go and express love, pray for God’s strength. It is going against our sinful nature to love. If we try to love on our own strength we will get burnt out. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
LoveMovement.org
35
LOVE MOVEMENT
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 36
Day 25 John 15:12-15 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.” 12 “
LOVE MOVEMENT
Take Action: What a privilege to be a friend of God. What are some ways you can do something caring for your friends? Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
36
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 37
Day 26 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Take Action:
LOVE MOVEMENT
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
Think of a way that you can care for someone without gaining anything in return. Once you have an idea of what you could do, be intentional in carrying this out. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
LoveMovement.org
37
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 38
Day 27 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind.Â
LOVE MOVEMENT
Take Action: Have you ever been impatient with someone? Maybe a sibling or a parent/guardian? Next time you feel like you want to argue with them or ignore them, take a moment and hear them out. Practice being patient and taking the time to care for what they are trying to share with you. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
38
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 39
Day 28 Romans 15:1-2
Take Action:
LOVE MOVEMENT
We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. 2 We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.
To live love is to live being mindful of others. As you build deeper relationships with your family, friends, and people you recently have met, be intentional in finding specific and meaningful ways that will encourage them. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
LoveMovement.org
39
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 40
Day 29 Acts 20:35 “And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
LOVE MOVEMENT
Take Action: Spend time getting to know your friends a bit more. As you get to know them more, see if there is a way that you can give a gift to them that may help them in this time. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
40
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 41
Day 30 Hebrews 12:1-2
Take Action: Have a vertical vision. As you care for others, keep your eyes on God. Give yourself over to Him, so that He may be able to live out love through you. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
LoveMovement.org
41
LOVE MOVEMENT
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 42
Day 31 Proverbs 31:8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;Â ensure justice for those being crushed.
LOVE MOVEMENT
Take Action: Think of someone who may need support. This could be someone in your school who is being bullied, or someone you know who is having a hard time at home. Pray for God to reveal this person to you. Pray for this person whenever you think about them or see them next. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
42
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 43
Day 32 Galatians 2:20
Take Action:
LOVE MOVEMENT
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
We are born into sin. Our nature, how we think and act, is naturally against God. God is love. God is perfect. When we submit ourselves to God and allow Him to live through us we are living the life we are meant to live and at the same time we are dying to our former selves. Once we are saved we are a new creation, we are in fact born again, this time through the Holy Spirit. As you live out love in your community, be encouraged that you are living out your new life. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
LoveMovement.org
43
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 44
Day 33 Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
LOVE MOVEMENT
Take Action: Do not think that you can go out and care for everyone on your own strength. Remember, God is love. Love is huge. Our strength needs to come from God as we strive to truly care for others. Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
44
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 45
Day 34 Matthew 5:40-42
Take Action:
LOVE MOVEMENT
If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.
We are called not to ignore those who need help. Living out love means being willing to truly help and care for others. Who can you show a caring gesture or a kind thought with today? Journal entry: (write a reflection, a poem or a prayer below)
LoveMovement.org
45
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 46
LOVE MOVEMENT 46
LoveMovement.org
LoveMovement.org
LOVE MOVEMENT
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 47
47
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 48
LOVE MOVEMENT 48
LoveMovement.org
LoveMovement.org
LOVE MOVEMENT
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 49
49
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 50
LOVE MOVEMENT 50
LoveMovement.org
LoveMovement.org
LOVE MOVEMENT
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 51
51
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 52
LOVE MOVEMENT 52
LoveMovement.org
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:25 PM Page 53
Remember to register your curriculum and instantly receive a free gift from Love Movement: www.lovemovement.org/register
With Christ, we are the Movement! Continue to live love! We want to hear from you. Has this curriculum brought you closer to God? Has this curriculum changed your thinking about love? Take some time and write out how you have been changed and transformed through this experience and send it to: submit@lovemovement.org
rn
lea
Congratulations on starting this journey with Love Movement. We encourage you to continue reading Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word daily and praying as often as you can. Feel free to share any of your reflections, poems or prayers with us at: www.facebook.com/joinlovemovement For more journal and bible study resources visit: www.lovemovement.org/resources Thank you for joining the Love Movement.
.
ve lo
live
TV the out e ab g.tv r o m ovin arn To le .loveism w w w
.
love
it:
s vis
serie
You can also write or share your personal testimony through video and submit a link to: submit@lovemovement.org or post it on our facebook page at: www.facebook.com/joinlovemovement We look forward to hearing from you!
LM_Curriculum_11-12_- 12-11-26 1:24 PM Page 1
LOVE MOVEMENT
WHY is this needed now more than ever?
Have you tried asking someone this question recently, “What is love?”. In a culture filled with selfish, pleasure-seeking and overly romanticized ideas of love, there is a great need for teens and young adults to learn about the misconceptions surrounding “true” love. Knowing what love is, having love and showing love to others are essential building blocks for effective ministry. We also need to show love in order to have a growing relationship with God. The first three verses of 1 Corinthians 13 teach us that we need to launch into ministry activities with love. Understanding how to do that is best learned from the Bible. Love Movement is an experiential learning tool and community of believers committed to reviving a biblical outflow of love. Love Movement also introduces participants to Christian organizations who are proclaiming the Gospel message and demonstrating God’s love to the world. Whether you are preparing for a discipleship class, gearing up for a missions trip, doing evangelism, or planning an outreach event in your community, Love Movement’s Take Action Video series will help to empower you and your group to learn more about God and His love. To be effective in ministry we need to launch into social justice, service, outreach and evangelism opportunities with love. Help us lead the next generation out of confusion about love and into a Christ-centered infusion of love.
Learn love, live love, join the Love Movement. Contact us and let us know how you are showing God’s love to the world. We may ask to feature you or your story on Love Movement’s TV series, Love is Moving.
info@lovemovement.org www.lovemovement.org