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April 30, 2023
Question 1: What is love?
1 Corinthians 13:1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. 13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. New Living Translation
1 John 4:8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. New Living Translation
Storge: Natural Affection
Romans 12:10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. New Living Translation
Philia: Bond of Friendship
Matthew 11:19 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners! ’But wisdom is shown to be right by its results. New Living Translation
Eros: Romantic Love
Proverbs 5:15 Drink water from your own well—share your love only with your wife. 16 Why spill the water of your springs in the streets, having sex with just anyone? New Living Translation
Agape: Selfless Love
1 John 3:16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. New Living Translation
Question 2: Who is Jesus (really)?
Jesus died by crucifixion.
The earliest disciples believed Jesus rose from the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. New Living Translation
The conversion of a church persecutor in Paul.
The conversion of the skeptic James.
An empty tomb.
John 8:54 Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’ 55 but you don’t even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.” New Living Translation
John 8:57 The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” 59 At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple. New Living Translation
Question 3: Why didn't my prayer get answered?
Matthew 26:36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. New Living Translation
Matthew 26:38 He told them,“My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” New Living Translation