Share with your group members: What is your favorite song, movie, or quote about love?

When it comes to love, our actions are a more effective communicator than our words. In this regard, discuss the following verse.

1 John 3:18 (NLT)
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

Take some time to reflect on the following passage. What do you discover about the identity of God, as well as our identity and response as His followers?

1 John 4:7-20 (NIV)

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

Why is it so challenging to "Love First"?

Pastor Jonathan shared a couple of reasons to go on:
1) Doesn't seem strong enough (too soft and permissive, not "fair")
2) Love is a Lose/Win (we want win/win)

"Love First" is choosing the mess, the awkward conversations, listening, learning, growing, and risking. It's about loving those who are easy to love, and those who aren't. Share about a time you've "Loved First", or perhaps a time someone expressed this type of love to you.

"Love has a supernatural power." What is your reaction to this statement? How have you seen evidence of this?

As a response to this message, what are your next steps for this week?