Sunday Scripture

 

 In 2013, I did an Advent study with Good Morning Girls.  The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download; it's not too late to head on over there and get it.  Scroll down and click on the book-like image featuring an illustration of candy canes, and the pdf should open right up.  More than just a Bible study, this is an ebook that includes recipes, Advent activities, and more.  I think it will be a blessing to you.

I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage,  or praise for what it means to you.

Each week of this Advent study focuses on a theme: Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace.  This second week's verses are focused on Love.  If you downloaded the study and are following along with it, this is the one from December 9.

Today's Scripture is 1 John 4:7-8.

S= "Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."  (1 John 7:-7-8)

O= This letter is written by the apostle John and may be thought of as a "family letter" from the Father to His "little children" (as John addresses them) who are in the world.  

C.I. Scofield says, "John's Gospel leads us across the threshold of the Father's house; His first epistle makes us at home there."  A lovely thought!  

The section containing verses 7 and 8 of chapter 4 is titled by Scofield in the Scofield Study Bible as "Little children assured and warned."

God is love, and all real love comes from Him.  Since we are born of God, and know God, we are to love one another.  If we do not manifest this love toward one another, we really don't know God as well as we should.

A= This passage is definitely speaking to me today.  Many times my reactions are so much less than loving.  Many times I feel as if I can love people, but I don't really like them very much.  I know that I have to truly love others if I am to show the world an accurate picture of my Savior.

P= "Lord, You know how hard this is for me.  I feel as if I do love my church family very much and have a genuine love and concern for each one who attends.  Yet you know I have often had a real struggle over the years with various situations.  I'm very thankful right now that I can't even remember what most of them were.  I pray that You would help me to love as You would have me to love.  I praise You that You are love and that true, real love comes only from You.  Give me a true love for others, I pray in Jesus' name, Amen."

And there is another super-simple Bible study post for the Christmas season.  I hope it's a blessing to someone!