Women of Grace Spring Semester ‘03

Tests of Eternal Life

Homework for Lesson Eighteen: I John 4:19-21

Loving God by Loving Others

Your Homework is Not Only to Sharpen Your Understanding of the Bible but a Ministry to Others in Your Small Groups! Be Faithful to Give Careful Thought to Each Answer with the Expectation of Sharing with Others What You have Discovered.

 

Memory Verse – I John 4:20

 

1) Read I John 4:19-21. Why do you think loving God leads to loving our brother?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2) (a) What does it mean to love God according to the following verses? Deuteronomy 30:20; I Kings 3:3; John 14:15; John 21:15-17.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b) What does loving God mean to you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(c) How do you see the love for God manifest in a believer's life?

 

 

 

 

 

3) John says God loved us first. How do the following verses prove this fact? John 3:16; 15:16; Ephesians 2:1-6;Titus 3:3-5; I John 4:10.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4) (a) What are some benefits for those who love God? John 14:21; Romans 8:28; I Cor. 2:9, I Cor. 8:3; Eph. 6:24; James 1:12; 2:5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b) What happens to those who do not love God? I Cor. 16:22

 

 

 

 

 

 

5) Read Genesis 37. (a) Why was Joseph hated by his brothers?

 

 

 

 

(b) What happened as a result of this hatred?

 

 

 

 

 

(c) Skim the rest of Genesis (37-50) to see what else resulted from Joseph's brother's hatred.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(d) What principles can you draw for your own life regarding this serious sin of hating others?

 

 

 

 

 

(e) Extra credit question: Do you think any of Joseph's' brothers claimed to "love God?" Prove your answer Biblically.

 

 

 

 

6) How would you instruct someone who tried to convince you of her great devotion to God, while she still held resentment and bitterness towards others?

 

 

 

 

 

7) John writes once again in 4:20 regarding those "who say", but "do not do". (a) What are some common things we hear believers say, but that are not backed up by actions?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b) Is there anything you say with your mouth, but do not back up with your life?

 

 

 

 

 

8) (a) Do you love God?

 

 

 

 

(b) Do you love your brother?

 

 

 

 

 

(c) Where are you falling short in loving God and/or loving your brother?

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you can't answer yes to both loving God and your brother then please commit this to prayer, and bring a request for your partner.

 

Come with a request so that we might pray for you.