LOVE- Champions by the Fruit of the SpiritSýnishorn

Love vs. Spiritual Vanity

Bible story: David chosen as king 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Theme Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

On this last week to study the fruit of the Spirit LOVE, we will look at various talents or abilities that can steal our focus and cause us to have spiritual vanity. We know that love is important in our spiritual walk, but often we may think that faith is more important. Maybe prayer or worship, attending church or preaching eloquently are more important than love.

What do you think about giving? Is it more important than love? The truth is, all these spiritual things are good, but they are not as important as LOVE. 1 Corinthians chapter 13 mentions these spiritual things: speaking eloquently, prophesy, faith, giving, and sacrifice, but says they do not compare to love. LOVE is more important!

We are often impressed with talents and abilities. However, the truth is, if someone has a voice like an angel, but does not show love in their daily lives, to God their voice is like a clanging symbol. There is no beauty in abilities or other spiritual practices when they are without love.

In today's Bible story, God sent the prophet Samuel to Bethlehem to choose a new king. When he arrived, the whole town trembled in fear of this great man of God. He prayed for the people, and chose the family of Jesse. When Jesse's family arrived, he saw the first-born son Eliab and thought, "This must be God's new king!" However, God said NO! "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'" 1 Samuel 16:7

Vanity is a pride in one's outward appearance, even looking spiritual on the outside, rather than giving attention to your heart. Samuel continued looking at all the sons until they finally brought in the youngest son who had been attending the sheep in the field. David was the youngest and the least expected among men to be the next king. However, that is who God chose.

Our love of talents and abilities can distract us from what God really wants. We can spend time praying and singing, worshiping and giving, but if all the while we are not showing love, God will not be pleased. We can end up with spiritual vanity.

This is a difficult lesson, because worshipping God is NOT a sin. Sacrificing to give to the poor is NOT a sin. Preaching in a way to change people's hearts is NOT a sin. However, God says those things are actually worthless if we do not have love. So what should we be focusing on instead of praying, preaching and singing? Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Let us focus on LOVE.

Questions:

1. What is wrong with being the best?

2. What can spiritual vanity look like?

3. Does God like to use strong people or weak people?

Life Application:

Ask God if there is a spiritual practice you should stop, as you move your focus onto LOVE. Do more actions this week to show love: do not boast, do what is best for others and not yourself, and do not hold people accountable for the wrongs they do.

Want more?

This reading plan is taken from Equip & Grow's children's curriculum, looking at being a champion by putting into practice the fruits of the spirit. Enjoy this plan at home, and then do the full curriculum at church with student books, games, crafts, songs, decorations, and more!

https://www.childrenareimportant.com/champions/