The Art of Community 
Season 4, Session 4 
L-O-V-E

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13
Podcast Episode: L-O-V-E 
Song: True Love is My Aim 
Meditation: A Meditation About Love 
Art: Secret Doorway 
Book Suggestion: All About Love 

Curriculum

Theme

The biblical love that Paul describes is not only what you do but it’s who you are. It comes from your identity in a God who is love. Once we recognize and claim this identity we can act out of and in love. True love, as Paul sees it, always begins with God and always reaches beyond one’s self to others.

Welcome and Opening Prayer

O God, you created us for relationship with you and one another. You blessed us with diverse gifts and unending grace. Help us to be gentle, gracious, and forgiving with ourselves and one another. Teach us to use our gifts for the good of all and the building of your beloved community. Jesus shows us a new way to be in the world.  Give us the courage to live by his love in all our encounters. Amen.

“Remember that you are marching into this battle to the beat of a different drum. It is a battle to change the rules of human communication. We cannot change the rules through playing by the old ones. The keystone of the strategy required to win this war is community, and the weapons can only be those of love.”  
~ M. Scott Peck, “A Different Drum”

Gathering Exercise 

            Finish this sentence: Love is________________________

Feasting on the Word/Group Discussion

            1 Corinthians: 13: 1-13

This text is often called the “hymn of love”. It was probably used as one of the early hymns of the Church. Paul quoted it in his letter as a definition and a model of Christian love. The passage falls between two chapters about the nature and kinds of spiritual gifts. Paul says that each of us is given a different set of gifts. He wants us to use those gifts for the common good. There’s one gift all of us are called to practice. That’s the gift of love. This text is often used at marriage ceremonies and also at memorial services. Paul didn’t have either of these occasions in mind. Paul was talking about building community. The gift of love from God to us and through us to others enables, empowers, and encourages life in community—life connected to one another. The Greek word Paul chooses for “love” here is “agape”. It’s also translated as “charity”. It’s putting the needs of others ahead of our own. It also refers to God’s unconditional and sacrificial love shown to us in Jesus. According to Paul this is to be our model in all relationships. It’s not primarily about how we feel but how we act.

1.     What stood out for you or was most helpful in the conversation between Chelsea and Dana? What question would you like to ask them about something they said?

2.     “Love is a verb”. What does that understanding say to you? What does it mean for our relationships with those who seem harder to love?

3.     Read silently, 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 adding the word “God” before each phrase (i.e., God is…). Read it again adding your name before each phrase (i.e., I am...) Which reading was easier to do? What did you experience doing it this way? 

4.     United Methodist Bishop William Willimon says, “It takes three to love. It takes one to give love; it takes one to receive love. It takes God.” How do you respond to his understanding? How does our relationship with God help us with loving others?

5.      Dana and Chelsea describe love as a “journey”. What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned in your journey? What are some questions with which you’re  wrestling? What does being in community mean as you continue the journey? 

Closing Exercise

Each person is given a half sheet of paper/index card. On it they’re to write down an action to offer over the next month. This should be something that serves as a witness to love/a way to build/help/support community. 

Closing Prayer

Give the group and opportunity to share joys or concerns.

Group members will lift up their papers as the closing prayer is offered.

O God, help us to live into the power of your love.  May we be a faithful witness of what it means to care for one another. Take our offerings and use them in ways that transform and bring blessing. By your Holy Spirit lead us into a deeper relationship with you and one another. Through our differing gifts may we find unity, power, and peace. Amen.