Pastor John ~ June 8, 2025

*Open with prayer.

1. Love is the binding agent that brings family together.
Col. 3:12-14 Think of examples of loving actions/qualities that bind families together.

2. We all desire to be loved. There are three Bible categories of love; eros, philia, agape. Define each one.

3. Agape love is the supernatural love of God.

John 3:16, John 4:7-8, I John 4:7, I John 4:16

4. Love God and love people. (Part 2 is more difficult for most of us.)

Mark 12:29-31, John 4:9, John 13:4, Rom. 12:9, Rom. 13:8, I Cor. 13:7, I Cor. 16:14, I Peter 4:8

5. Christ crucified is “the example” of agape love.

I John 4:9-12 Not just a feeling, but action and commitment.

6. The unified love of God is a powerful force.

When Christians unite in love and purpose, there is world changing power. John 13:34-35, Eph. 4:2, Prov. 3:3-4

7. The major look at eros love in the Bible is found in Song of Solomon (Song of Songs).

There are a few other biblical references to eros love, but few other than in Song of Solomon. Gen. 2:18-24, Prov. 5:18-19, Heb. 13:4

Song of Solomon is a love song, or poetry, between two lovers. There was opposition at various times to its inclusion in the Bible. It can be looked at on two levels.

First, it celebrates God’s gift of human desire for physical intimacy in marriage. However, it can also be viewed as an allegory for humanity’s, or the church’s ultimate purpose, to be united with God and His wisdom.

Read Song of Songs in the King James Version and a modern translation.
How should husbands and wives treat each other? Gen. 2:18-24, Ex. 20:14, Prov. 19:14, Prov. 31:10-12, Song 8:7, I Cor. 7:2-5, I Cor. 7:34, I Cor. 13:2-7, Mark 10:9, Eph. 5:21-28, Eph. 5:33, Col. 3:18, I Tim 3:11, Titus 2:3-5, Heb. 13:4, I Peter 3:1-7

8. In the end love wins. Christ sacrifice on the cross provided love’s victory for eternity.

Prov. 10:12, Prov. 17:17, John 15:13, I John 4:18, I Peter 4:8

*Close in prayer.