“’You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind’. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’.” —Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT)

“…I will show you my love forever.” So says the Lord who saves you. —Isaiah 54:8 (GNT)

“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” —John 15:12 (NLT)

Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up. —1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT)

1. Lasting love extends grace.

…puts up with anything… —1 Corinthians 13:7 (Msg)

Love patiently accepts all things. —1 Corinthians 13:7 (NCV)

…is always ready to make allowances. —1 Corinthians 13:7 (NJB)

2. Lasting love expresses faith.

…always trusts. —1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV)

…never loses faith. —1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT)

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. —Galatians 5:6 (NIV)

3. Lasting love expects the best.

…always expects the best. —1 Corinthians 13:7 (LB)

…always looks for the best. —1 Corinthians 13:7 (MSG)

4. Lasting love endures the worst.

…endures through every circumstance. —1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT)

…never looks back, but keeps going to the end. —1 Corinthians 13:7 (Msg)

F3 Discussion Questions

Icebreaker: If you could write a book, what genre would you write it in? (Thriller, Horror, Adventure, etc.)

1. When do you find yourself in need of grace? When do you find yourself needing to extend grace to others? Who do you find it difficult to extend grace to?

2. Today, we learned that the Greek of 1 Corinthians 13:7 literally translates “love covers with a roof.” How have you experienced grace and love protecting your relationships as a roof protects a house?

3. Pastor Jeff said today, “One of the key evidences of trust is the willingness to give people another chance when they blow it.” God did this with us by giving us free will, even though we are sinners. How does this demonstration of God’s trust affect you?

4. People rise to the expectation you have of them. How could high expectations help shape those around you? How can high expectations help shape you?

Going deeper:

Go back to question #1. Come up with someone specific that is in your life right now that you find it difficult to extend grace to. This week, reach out to them. Let them know you and God loves them, and if they have or when they do mess up, give them another chance.