The Compass

A Daily Personal Reflection & Small Group Discussion Guide

by John Hay, Jr.
Senior Pastor, West Morris Street Free Methodist Church

Series: Advent 2005 - "The Acceptable Time"
Week's focus: "A Time for Love"
Scriptures: John 1:1-5, 10-14; 1 John 4:9-21
Week of: December 11, 2005

TRACKING THE WORD IN WORSHIP
Advent principles from the Word for daily living

These are notes from Exploring the Word in Morning Worship; message points are CAPITALIZED.

1. Instead of being REDUCED by its counterfeits, authentic love is now POSSIBLE through the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. John 1:1-5, 10-14

2. Since authentic love ORIGINATES in God and is offered to us through His Son, we are invited to ACCEPT the offer and LIVE in love. 1 John 4:9-12

3. Authentic love EMPOWERS our repeated--if difficult--choices to keep PROMISES, forgive, RESTORE, and lay down our lives for OTHERS. 1 John 4:13-21

READ, REFLECT, RESPOND
Take the next step-explore and apply the Word in personal devotions or in a small group with others this week

1. Try to describe "authentic love." What are some counterfeit forms or expressions of love? What helps you to know that love is authentic or real and not a passing feeling, infatuation, or something that will let you down? How would you recommend to someone how to find authentic love and steer away from its counterfeits?

2. Read 1 Corinthians 13. The Apostle Paul is describing agape love, which is an authentic and spiritual grace. What does authentic love not do or how does it not act? What are the positive attitudes and actions of this authentic love? Once thought to be merely an ideal, Jesus demonstrated this love and makes it live in and through those who believe in him. How have you seen such love demonstrated in believers?

3. Read John 1:15-10-14. This introduction to the Gospel of John describes Jesus as the Word that became flesh, or incarnate. What was the response of "his own" when he came to them? What does Jesus do in and for those who receive him and believe in him? Have you received and believe in him? What difference is this making in your life?

4. Read 1 John 4:9-12. John makes a direct link between us receiving God's love and us reflecting that love into our life relationships. According to these verses, how do we know that love is authentic? How has God shown his love for us? What is an "atoning sacrifice" for sins? Even if we have not seen God, how can we know that God lives in us and others?

5. Read 1 John 4:13-21 Authentic love is possible, but it is not easy. What are some life realities, problems, conflicts, or circumstances that really challenge our ability to express love? Why do you think John mentions "fear" as one of those threats to authentic love? What does authentic love do with fear? What is the final challenge of these verses? Are you taking the challenge of doing this?

MARKINGS LEFT BY PREVIOUS TRAVELERS
Selected quotes on authentic love in the Incarnation

MAKING VISIBLE GOD'S HIDDEN LOVE. "The coming of Jesus is the visible indication in our experience of the hidden love of God. Has there ever been a better attempt to illustrate the point than that in Helen Waddell's Peter Abelard, where we have a picture of a freshly-felled tree?-the rings which appear on the cut face of the log are the visible cross-sections of lines that run right up the trunk, hidden from view by the bark. So the cross of Jesus is the visible appearance in the world of love that stretches back beyond our vision into the depths of eternity." -I. Howard Marshall

WHERE IT ALL BEGINS. "The true Christian religion is incarnational and thus does not begin at the top, as all other religions do; it begins at the bottom. You must run directly to the manger and the mother's womb, embrace the Infant and Virgin's Child in your arms and look at Him-born, being nursed, growing up, going about in human society, teaching, dying, rising again, ascending above all the heavens, and having authority over all things." -- Martin Luther (1483-1546)

BETHLEHEM AND GOLGOTHA. "How proper it is that Christmas should follow Advent. For him who looks toward the future, the manger is situated on Golgotha, and the cross has already been raised in Bethlehem." - Dag Hammarskjold

RESPONSES & OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE
Want to explore The Compass with others? Have questions?

If you'd like to connect with others who are working weekly with The Compass, e-mail me or call the church office (317.632.8311)

If you have questions about Scriptures or some of the questions, or just want to share what your are discovering through The Compass, you are welcome to e-mail me.

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