Small Group Notes - 1 Corinthians 13

A Crazy Little Thing Called Love

The Characteristics of Christian Love
Text: 1 Corinthians 13

Accountability: Let’s hold ourselves accountable!

1. Last time we learned that all of the members of the body are valuable, important, and needed. How have you done this week with having this attitude towards others in the body of Christ?

2. It takes every part doing its share to make for a healthy church. Last week we were challenged to identify one specific way that we could serve someone in the body…perhaps even in our small group. Did you hit your target or miss this week? Did anyone else serve you with their gifts?

3. Paul taught us to seek the best gifts, and we learned that the best gifts are those which will help us to most effectively fulfil our specific ministry callings. Did anyone get an answer to prayer with a new/expanded gift this week?

Refresh: Let’s take a fresh look at our focal scripture again!

1 Corinthians 13 [One great study tip is to read the passage in different translations]

Exploration: Four questions to guide our group discussion.

1. We learned this week that when a Christian lacks love, all of their words and actions are like noise…the clanking of battle, the sound of mourners wailing, or the sound of metal cups clinking together. A lock of love speaks louder than our words! Has there ever been a time in your life when someone’s loveless attitude spoke even louder than their spiritual gifts, blessings, and attempts to minister to you? Has there been a time when your lack of love hindered your ability to bless someone else?

2. We noted that nothing disqualifies you to bless others with your spiritual gifts quite like a lack of love in your heart. If we are unloving and unkind towards others, how does that impact our ability to minister with our gifts? True or false…a loving spirit towards others opens doors for ministry opportunities!

3. We took the time to look closely at the fourteen qualities of Christian love that Paul related to the Corinthians. Which qualities stood out to you the most? What did you learn about Christian love that you didn’t know beforehand?

4. Paul speaks of the day when we are face to face with Jesus, noting that now we see dimly as through a dark glass (mirror). What are some reasons why we would still benefit from the spiritual gifts now…like prophecy, word of knowledge, etc, but that these same gifts, especially the revelatory gifts, wouldn’t be useful in Heaven.

Study: Additional scriptures for deeper Bible study.

• 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 We walk by faith now, but later by sight.
• John 13:33-35 The new commandment.
• Luke 6:27-36 Love others…even the mean ones.
• Isaiah 60:19-22 Heaven is like…
• Revelation 22:1-5 Heaven is like…
• John 5:42 The love of God is not in you.

Application: How can I apply this to my life this week?

1. In what ways do we need to elevate love to the greatest of all spiritual gifts in our own hearts? Is there a need for us to make all of our other spiritual gifts take a back seat to love?

2. Which two or three qualities of Christian love do you need to focus on this week? How can God’s love for us flow through us to bless others in these specific ways?

3. What are you looking forward to most about going to Heaven?