Love as

LOVE AS THE GREATEST — STUDY OUTLINES

Texts: 1 Cor.13 vs1-13, Galatians 5:22-23

Memory Verse: And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1 Cor.13vs13

Love means a strong affection for another in other words, it is a mix of feelings and actions that shows a deep liking for someone or something.

The Demonstrations of Love

In Greek, love can be classified and demonstrated in four ways, these are:

• Storge – empathy bond. Storge is based on familiarity. A person will love their family regardless of whether they are people the person would be drawn to otherwise; family members often have nothing in common except familiarity and blood Romans 12:10, Philemon 1:8-10, Exodus 20:12,

• Philia – (“Philadelphia”) friendship bond. Love one another with brotherly affection. 1 Thessalonians 4:9, Hebrews 13:1, James 4:4, David and Jonathan, (1 Samuel 18:1-3).

• Eros – romantic love. It is passionate or sexual love. It is important within a marriage relationship and is created by God. Ecclesiastes 9:9, 1 Corinthians 7:8-9, 1 Corinthians 6:15–20, Hebrews 13:4

• Agape – unconditional "God" love, John 15:12-13, 1 Corinthians 13:8, John 15:9-13.

Characteristics of True Love

1. Love is patient-True love can tolerate pain or suffering without complaining or getting angry. Lamentations 3:25-27, Proverbs 15:18, Philippians 4:6, Romans 12:12, Psalm 40:1



2. Love is kind. True love has a gentle, caring and compassionate heart. It feels your sorrow; it feels your joy. Ephesians 4:32, Proverbs 11:17, Colossians 3:12



3. Love is not envious.True love is content and thankful for its blessings and current possessions. It doesn’t envy other people. Philippians 4:11-13, 1 Timothy 6:6-12, Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 6:19-24



4. Love vaunteth not itself, It is humble enough to admit its own mistakes and strive to correct them. 1 Peter 5:5, Colossians 3:12, Philippians 2:3, James 3:13



5. Love is not puffed up- it is not proud. It also forgives to get rid of hatred and enjoy the peacefulness. 1 Corinthians 13:4, Isaiah 66:2, 1 Peter 3:8, Romans 11:18



6. Love does not behave itself unseemly, Titus 2:11-12, Gal. 5:22-23, Proverbs 25:28:



7. Love seeketh not her own, Philippians 2:4, Luke 6:35, Philippians 2:3, 1 Corinthians 9:19



8. Love is not easily provoked- James 1:19-20, Proverbs 29:11, Proverbs 19:11



9. Love thinketh no evil- Proverbs 17:22, Proverbs 15:13, Colossians 3:1-2, 2 Corinthians 10:5



10. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Psalm 19:1-14, 1 John 4:16-18, Titus 3:1-15



11. Beareth all things, 1 Corinthians 13:7, Romans 5:5, Matthew 7:13



12. Believeth all things -John 8:45, Romans 5:8 Ephesians 4:1-3,



13. Hopeth all things- Romans 8:28, 1 Peter 1:21



14. Endureth all things- 1 Peter 2:1-25 Ephesians 5:25, 2 Timothy 4:10



15. Love never faileth- Romans 5:5, Lamentations 3:22-23.



16. Love is the greatest- Matthew 22:34-40, John 3:16, 1 John 4:7-8, John 13:35.



Conclusion

Love is the greatest. Love God and love your neighbours.