“The Disciples’ Distinctive” - John 13:34-35

[34] A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. [35] By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

BIG IDEA: A true disciple will be known by the measurable quality of his love for others.

1. Consider the type of love the Lord is asking of His disciples.

a. Not

Reveal Answer

– physical compulsion, desire for self-satisfaction

b. Not

Reveal Answer

– strong affection that binds best friends together

c. Not

Reveal Answer

– family love

d.

Reveal Answer

– a love that has the highest interest of its object at heart regardless of the posture of the object toward itself.

2. The quality of love toward others that defines/distinguishes us from unbelievers is measurable by our active response toward others.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
[4] Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant [5] or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; [6] it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. [7] Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

a. 2 fundamental

Reveal Answer

toward people
• Patience (longsuffering) – suffers long
• Kind – Easy, Good, Gentle, Gracious

b. 5

Reveal Answer

• Does not envy
• Does not boast
• Is not arrogant
• Is not rude
• Does not insist on its own way

c. 3

Reveal Answer

• Is not easily provoked
• Is not resentful (refuses to think evil of others)

d. 4

Reveal Answer

• Bears all things
• Believes all things
• Hopes all things
• Endures all things

Discussion questions:
1. What was the big idea and did it communicate accurately the Scriptures referenced in the message?

2. What is a distinctive? And what does the Bible indicate to be distinctives of Christians and the world?

3. What in your life communicates to God and others a distinction from being a disciple of the world and a disciple of Christ?

4. How would you measure the love of Christ in you? Discuss how you measure to the command that Jesus gave to His disciples to love one another, just as He has loved us?

5. In what ways has Jesus loved His disciples? Does He love you? How do you know?