How to Keep Our Love for One Another Strong Flashcards
STUDY ARTICLE 47
Why could the apostle Paul say that love is “the greatest” quality?
Love will last forever, unlike faith and hope, which will be fulfilled in the future.
WHY SHOULD WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER?
What three reasons do we have for loving one another?
We should love one another because love identifies us as Jesus’ disciples, because love keeps us united, and because love is a way of showing our love for God.
WHY SHOULD WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER?
Illustrate how our love for God is connected to our love for one another.
Just as a doctor is able to get some information about the health of our heart when checking our pulse, we can get some information about the strength of our love for God by checking our love for others.
If we notice that our love for fellow believers has weakened somewhat, this may indicate that our love for God is also growing weak. But when we regularly show love for fellow believers, this signals that our love for God is strong.
WHY SHOULD WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER?
Why should we be concerned if our love for our brothers and sisters is weakening? (1 John 4:7-9, 11)
It would mean that we are in spiritual danger. Jehovah is happy with us only if we love one another.
WHY SHOULD WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER?
“Beloved ones, let us continue loving one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born from God and knows God. Whoever does not love has not come to know God, because God is love. By this the love of God was revealed in our case, that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world so that we might gain life through him.”
“Beloved ones, if this is how God loved us, then we are also under obligation to love one another.”
Indicate source
HOW DO WE SHOW LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER?
What are at least five ways in which we can show our love for one another?
- “Speak the truth with one another.” (Zech. 8:16)
- “Keep peace with one another.” (Mark 9:50)
- Take the lead “in showing honor to one another.” (Rom. 12:10)
- “Welcome one another.” (Rom. 15:7)
- “Continue . . . forgiving one another.” (Col. 3:13)
- “Go on carrying the burdens of one another.” (Gal. 6:2)
- “Keep comforting one another.” (1 Thess. 4:18)
- “Keep . . . building one another up.” (1 Thess. 5:11)
- “Pray for one another.” (Jas. 5:16)
HOW DO WE SHOW LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER?
Why is giving comfort to others an important expression of our love? (See also picture.)
According to a Bible reference work, the word that Paul used for “comfort” means “standing beside a person to encourage him when he is undergoing severe testing.” When we do so we help a fellow believer who is in distress to get up and continue walking on the road to life. Thus we demonstrate our love for them.
HOW DO WE SHOW LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER?
What is the connection between compassion and comfort?
To comfort others, we need to feel compassion for them. Compassion is when we feel sorry for someone who is suffering and want to help them. So first we feel compassion; then we give comfort.
Jehovah as “the Father of tender mercies [a feeling of compassion for others] and the God of all comfort [that compassion moves him to provide comfort].” (2 Cor. 1:3)
HOW DO WE SHOW LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER?
According to Colossians 3:12 and 1 Peter 3:8, what other qualities must we cultivate to maintain the love that moves us to comfort others?
Fellow feeling, brotherly affection, and kindness. These qualities help us to care about others and to show them our love. When we have these qualities, we will naturally comfort others who need it.
HOW DO WE SHOW LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER?
“Accordingly, as God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, humility, mildness, and patience.”
HOW DO WE SHOW LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER?
“Finally, all of you have unity of mind, fellow feeling, brotherly affection, tender compassion, and humility.”
HOW CAN WE KEEP OUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER STRONG?
Why do we need to remain alert?
Jesus warned that many people would stop loving one another in the last days. We should not let the world influence us, but we should stay united with our brothers and sisters by love.
HOW CAN WE KEEP OUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER STRONG?
What can put our love to the test?
The apostle Peter wrote: “Above all things, have intense love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Pet. 4:8) How do we react when others make mistakes or hurt us? The weaknesses and imperfections of others can put our love to the test.
HOW CAN WE KEEP OUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER STRONG?
According to 1 Peter 4:8, what type of love do we need? Illustrate.
The Bible says that we need to have intense love for one another. Intense love is very strong and does not give up easily.
Our love is like a flexible piece of fabric that we hold tightly with both hands and pull wider and wider until it hides, not just one or two, but “a multitude of sins [stains].” To hide means to show forgiveness. In the same way that a cloth can conceal a blemish, love can overlook the flaws and faults of others.
HOW CAN WE KEEP OUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER STRONG?
If our love for our brothers and sisters is strong enough, what will we be able to do? (Colossians 3:13)
Our love for others should be so strong that we can forgive them even when it is hard. When we forgive others, we show that we love them and that we want to please Jehovah.
