Christmas Series 3: "Love"- God So Loved Us / 1 John 4:7-12

Christmas 2023, Lesson 3: Love

1 John 7:7-12

Key Verse: 4:9, “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.”

1.  How does John address his audience, what does he say we should do, and why (7–8)?

2.  Note how John repeats “God is love” (8,16); what does this statement mean, and why is it so important?

3.  Read verse 9. What does this tell us about Jesus’ birth? What do the words “made manifest” mean (see also 1:1–2)? How does Jesus’ birth prove God’s love for us and for all people?

4.  What does “God sent his only Son” show about his love? What was his goal in sending him, and what does this mean (9b; see also verse 16)?

5.  How else did God love us (10), and what does it reveal about the nature of his love? How does this show us how to love (11)?

6.  Why is it so important to express God’s love for one another (12)? Summarize what these verses teach us about God’s love. How can we practice his love this Christmas?