StoneBridge Community Church
Family Matters: Love
Pastor Neal Nybo
Locations & Times
StoneBridge Community Church
4832 Cochran St, Simi Valley, CA 93063, USA
Saturday 5:00 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:00 AM
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http://bit.ly/2glYW8EIn our day, it would seem naive or maybe old fashioned to say, “The most important thing about me is that I love.” But that is what Paul, the author of 1 Corinthians essentially writes in Chapter 13:1-3. Then, he goes on to give a description of love that has been recognized throughout history as exemplary. This week, we look at how to apply the language of Corinthians 13 to lives.
1. Love gives everything else meaning.
We can reflect on Paul’s pattern as it applies to ourselves-
I know I am good at this, but even if I was incredible at it, none of it is meaningful if I don’t love.
So, what are we good at? How high a level of success have we achieved in life? What are we known for? What do we want to be known for? What is our reputation? What is our legacy? What do we strive for? What do any of these things mean, without love?
I know I am good at this, but even if I was incredible at it, none of it is meaningful if I don’t love.
So, what are we good at? How high a level of success have we achieved in life? What are we known for? What do we want to be known for? What is our reputation? What is our legacy? What do we strive for? What do any of these things mean, without love?
The Text In Context
There are many interpretations of 1 Corinthians 13. Here is a detailed overview that goes into great depth about the context of the early church.
https://bit.ly/36LTTYi16 character traits of love
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. Can you describe an experience that demonstrates this point?
2. Paul reflected that he was good at speaking, writing, and giving to the poor. If you were going to rewrite 1 Cor 13:1-3 using your abilities rather than Paul’s, what would you write?
3. Go through the sixteen character traits of love in verses 4-8. What are some you feel you embody much of the time. Are there any that are second nature to you? Which do you need work on?
1. Can you describe an experience that demonstrates this point?
2. Paul reflected that he was good at speaking, writing, and giving to the poor. If you were going to rewrite 1 Cor 13:1-3 using your abilities rather than Paul’s, what would you write?
3. Go through the sixteen character traits of love in verses 4-8. What are some you feel you embody much of the time. Are there any that are second nature to you? Which do you need work on?
2. If you win, we both lose.
When it comes to disagreements, winning shouldn't be the goal.
Try this great exercise...
Why is this bible verse so important? It is not the words of the bible verse itself that are so important; it is what the words can mean that is so important. If you alter the bible verse by......the message is absolutely outstanding.
https://bit.ly/2XIYsyoGROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. Neal said his wife told him, “If you win this argument, I will still feel the way I do.” What do you think about this statement?
2. What do you think about the point, “If you win, we both lose?”
3. How would your challenging conversations change if you sought to apply the sixteen characteristics of love?
4. Over the past three weeks, Pastor Neal has talked about apologizing, forgiving, and loving. What are you applying from these three things, in relationship to your family and beyond?
5. Given how important Paul says love is, if you don’t really have an answer to the prior question, why don’t you? Given a second chance, what could be some personal, next steps?
1. Neal said his wife told him, “If you win this argument, I will still feel the way I do.” What do you think about this statement?
2. What do you think about the point, “If you win, we both lose?”
3. How would your challenging conversations change if you sought to apply the sixteen characteristics of love?
4. Over the past three weeks, Pastor Neal has talked about apologizing, forgiving, and loving. What are you applying from these three things, in relationship to your family and beyond?
5. Given how important Paul says love is, if you don’t really have an answer to the prior question, why don’t you? Given a second chance, what could be some personal, next steps?
3. Remember what you really want.
Someone has said that a person's actions are perfectly designed to exactly the opposite of what they want. In challenging conversations and situations, we need to remember what we really want so we don't end up acting in a way that gets us something else.
GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. What was your reaction to Pastor Neal’s story about his daughter’s college application process? Why?
2. Do you have a personal example of a time when your actions were perfectly designed to get you the opposite of what you really wanted?
3. Brainstorm ways you could pause challenging situations or conversations to have a chance to remind yourself of what you really want.
1. What was your reaction to Pastor Neal’s story about his daughter’s college application process? Why?
2. Do you have a personal example of a time when your actions were perfectly designed to get you the opposite of what you really wanted?
3. Brainstorm ways you could pause challenging situations or conversations to have a chance to remind yourself of what you really want.
Remember what you really want - start with heart.
This concept comes from the book Crucial Conversations and is the focus of chapter three, Start With Heart. Here is an introduction to that material.
https://bit.ly/3ch1j6XNext step:
Rewrite 1 Cor 13: 1-3 in your own words with your own abilities using this pattern: If I am good at _________ or even amazing at __________, my work is like ____________ if I don’t have love.
Rewrite 1 Cor 13: 1-3 in your own words with your own abilities using this pattern: If I am good at _________ or even amazing at __________, my work is like ____________ if I don’t have love.
Update from Pastor Cynthia and Pastor Neal
Over the last few weeks, Pastor Neal has given updates for StoneBridge regarding finances and most recently, reopening the church. Pastor Cynthia has her own update as well. Click the link to read the latest news.
https://stonebridgesimi.com/events-news/updates-from-pastor-neal
Every week on Thursday nights @ 7pm you can join Pastor Neal live on Facebook. This is a great time to connect with Pastor Neal and others as he takes the opportunity to share what’s on his heart, as it relates to our faith and church.
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