And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13Message: Love is the most excellent way.Why is love the most excellent way? • Love is essential. I Corinthians 13:1–3 Spiritual Gift: Spiritual gifts are special attributes given by God to His children through the power of the Holy Spirit.Application: I am made in the image of God’s love with an ability to relate to and respond to God. • Love is effective. I Corinthians 13:4–7 Application: I am filled with the Spirit of God whose love is at work in me through the problems and pressures I am going through this very day. • Love is eternal. I Corinthians 13:8–13 Application: I am part of the plan of God’s love. Therefore, what I do and how I do it matters for eternity. Love | May 3, 2020 | Joel K. JohnsonWant to go deeper? Check out the attached discussion questions to engage more with the sermon. 1 Corinthians 13:1–13Proverbs 3:3–4Romans 8:38–39Mark 12:28–34Lamentations 3:22–23Bible Reading PlanJoin us in reading the Bible together. The Bible Reading Plan is a way to incorporate reading the Bible into your week. Each day read a passage and take a few moments to reflect. These verses are chosen by our staff and designed to complement the Sunday message.Reflection questions:What does it say? What does it mean? How can I live this out today?Special guests for Mother’s DayJoin us online Sunday, May 10. We’ll be blessed with a message from Laurel Bunker, Associate Vice President, Christian Formation and Church Relations at Bethel University. She’ll be sharing the message: No Small Thing: Why Momming Matters Today and Everyday. Music will be by award-winning Christian recording artist, Sara Groves. Digital invitations are available on our website that you can email or post on social media to invite friends and family. CommunionTowards the end of today’s service we will experience communion. At Westwood, communion is for anyone who is a follower of Christ. You do not need to be a member to participate. Please have a cracker or small piece of bread and juice or a beverage available (or something representing these items). We will be led in taking the elements together.May 3, 2020What Remains? Love May 3, 2020 1.We are in Week 7 of online services and Staying at Home. In this season, what is a new habit or activity that you have engaged in?2.Looking into the sky on a clear night as the stars can be indescribably wonderful. Have you ever seen the Northern Lights? Shooting stars? Are you able to identify any constellations? Share as a group. What is it that captures us so as we stare into the night sky at the stars?3.The shepherds watching their flocks at night may have gazed into the night sky and as they saw the bright star announcing the coming of the Messiah into the world may have said to each other, “Did you see that?” They couldn’t wait to tell their family and friends. What is something that you have witnessed in your life that you couldn’t wait to tell others about? Who did you tell first?4.Love is the most excellent way. Love is essential, effective, and eternal. Read 1 John 4:1-19 What do these verses say about God’s Love and our capacity to love others? Where does that capacity come from?5.The main reason Paul wrote to the church in Corinth is because the church was a hot mess. They left love out and abused their gifts. Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. Love is essential to who God is, who we are and how we serve. There are 28 spiritual gifts listed in the New Testament. When you come to Christ, you receive a gift. Do you know what yours are? Discuss as a group.6.Love is effective. You may have heard the phrase at Westwood, “If we could only get the love thing right there is no end to what we could be or do for God’s glory.” We don’t always get it right. Where do you struggle with loving other people?7.Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 as a group. Replace the word, “love” with “Jesus”. How does this change your perspective as you read this verse?8.Jesus makes love effective and Jesus is in you. You may feel like you don’t have any more love to give. To love effectively you have to refuel your love tank. How is the meter on your love tank? Do you have a plan for refueling? Does it include Jesus?9.Effective Love has been shown at Westwood through the Stay at Home-Bless from Home initiative. How have you as a group or personally reached out to others in this time? Consider checking out ways to do so on our website. https://www.westwoodcc.org/covid-19/10.Love is eternal. Our choices motivated by love will follow us into eternity. Discuss as a group."Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made; Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade: To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry, Nor could the scroll contain the whole Though stretched from sky to sky."- Meir Ben Isaac Nehorai Next >