Our religion is love

Big Ideas

Our religion is Love. Sound like new age mumbo jumbo? This week we’re reading a poem recited by first century Christians, all about Love.

1 John Love Poem

All’us who are loved—
Let us love
For truly all love is from God

And all who now love 
Are fathered by God 
And clearly they’ve come to know God

So all who don’t love 
They don’t yet know God
For truly in sum God is love

And here’s how God showed us his love: 
God sent us his Son, the One-of-a-Kind Down into the cosmos That through him we might come alive

But, just to be clear, this is love: It’s not because we have loved God
But rather it’s God who loved us And sent in his Son—Love sending Love! The fixing for all of our sins

All’us who are loved—How truly God loves us. Now we should love just like God does

Questions

• Try the same rhythm we used on Sunday with others. 1) One person read the poem, 2) Go through the poem line by line to discuss its implications, 3) Recite the poem together
• The hope of this is something called "liturgy." Practicing these truths together are formative for our hearts and souls.
• What is your love conversion story? Have you had an experience where the actual, radical, shocking love of God felt revealed and real to you? Share your story with someone.
• If you don't find yourself feeling this radical love for others - are you convinced of God's radical love for you?