Intentional Love, Intentional Discipleship

  • Dr. Bob Harrington
  • Oct 7, 2007
  • Series: New Series

Intentional Love, Intentional Discipleship

Relational Discipleship Series #2

 

Three Things Are True . . .

 

Intentionality - The state of having or being formed by an intention; expressive of intentions. Reflects deliberateness, deliberation - the trait of thoughtfulness in action.

Intentional Love = conscious reflection and intention to love other people well.  A deliberateness about showing love.  A thoughtfulness in action that shows love.

 

Intentional Discipleship = conscious reflection and intention to help another following Jesus well. A deliberateness about helping someone follow the Ways of Jesus.  A thoughtfulness in action that helps another follow the Way.

 

1. The Way of Parents in the Bible . . . .

 

Deuteronomy 6: 4-9

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

 

 

2. The Way of Jesus in the Bible . . .

 

Luke 15:1-2

Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

 

 

3. The Way of Spiritual Leaders in the Bible . . .

 

1 Thessalonians 2:6-12

As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.

 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

 

  1. Engage in ______________ with People More -  by Intentionally Love Them.

 

 

  1. As you Love Them, __________________________________ to follow Jesus.

 

 

Small Group Questions

*It is very important to stick to the time allotment for each section.

 

Connecting with Each Other  (15 Minutes)

 

Ask two or three people to tell about something personally interesting that happened in their lives this past week.

 

Connecting with God’s Word  (30 Minutes)

 

Read and review the three sections of scripture from the lesson (Deut. 6; Luke 15; 1 Thess. 2).

 

What is the meaning of “intentional love” and how can you see it in these passages?

 

What is the meaning of “intentional discipleship” and how can you see it in these passages?

 

If you were to become more committed to “intentional love” or “intentional discipleship,” which of the two would you pick and what would it look like in your life?

 

 

Connecting with God and Each other (30 Minutes)

 

1) As I look over this list, I want to take a specific step in the Ways of Jesus this week (pick one and explain why)  . . .

           

  • Intentional Love (for other people)
  • Acceptance (of God’s Grace and/or Truth)
  • Connecting (with God and/or God’s People)
  • Service (to the church and/or the world)
  • Leading (others in the Ways of Jesus)

 

2) Please help me with your prayers for the following . . .