Connect
Did you watch the Superbowl for the ads? Did you notice the ad Jonathan showed regarding the classical greek words for love? How many of these greek words were you already familiar with?

Engage
Get out your Bible or Bible app and join in this mini-tour of what the Bible says about love. Consider taking turns reading around the group.

John 3:16
Matthew 22:37-40
Galatians 5:6
1 John 4:7-12
John 13:34-35

Jonathan made some comments about agapē love:

• “You can’t say you love God and not love. That doesn’t work. Love is what we do. It’s who we are.” How does agapē stand apart from the other words for love?
• “Agapē is simple, but it can be almost impossible to do.” It’s because agapē includes the unlovable. Do you remember how Jonathan asked us to work on this? (We will get to this in a few moments)
• “Agapē is unconditional, without limit, bottomless, and keeps on loving.” Does God actually call us to love this way?

As it is impossible for us to fully agapē, Jonathan says that it can be like a muscle that gets stronger if it is exercised. What do you think about using strength training as an illustration of how to grow in love?

Strength training was broken into three areas. Let’s talk about the hard questions that help us to love unconditionally.

• “What do you see?” Do you notice people, whether they are close to you or a stranger? We tend to judge people by their appearance. Can you consciously ask yourself how Jesus would see them? Take a step of vulnerability and ask a good friend how you’re doing at noticing people, this week.

• “What do you say?” Read Ephesians 4:29 and I Thessalonians 5:11. Have you ever received words of acceptance and care when you were feeling alone and unloved? Brainstorm as a group how to creatively use an uplifting tone in your words toward people to intereact with, to express a heart of love, this week.

• “What do you seek?” Read Philippians 2:3-4 and 1 Corinthians 13:5a. Words are important, of course, but sometimes your actions speak louder. When you notice people, do you see what can be done to improve their wellbeing? Do you see yourself as the hands and feet of God?

Apply
Of the three areas we discussed where we can strengthen our love, is there one that stands out to you as something you should focus on immediately? All of them require quite a bit of self-awareness and Holy Spirit awareness. How do you grow those things in your spiritual life?

Some acts of love happen in a moment, while others are long term and require perseverance. Have you made room in your life for someone like Gracie? What would need to change to be more interruptible?

Pray
Read Ephesians 3:14-19 and let it set the tone as you pray for your own commitment to love as you have been loved.