Hey, Paul? – April 6 , 202 5 1 Corinthians 1 3 – The More Excellent Way: Love Above All Introduction Theme: Love is the foundation of the Christian life. It is greater than any gift, talent, or act of service and should define all we do. G etting T o K now Y ou Icebreaker Activity: “Love It or Leave It” • Instructions: Create a list of fun categories (e.g., pineapple on pizza, reality TV, texting instead of calling, spontaneous road trips). Read each one aloud and participants respond with either “Love it!” or “Leave it!” • Bonus Round: “What’s something small that someone has done for you that made you feel truly loved?” • Transition: Today we’re going to explore what real, biblical love looks like — not just feelings or preferences, but the kind of love that transforms relationships, churches, and communities.” D igging D eeper Introduction to 1 Corinthians 13 – Historical Background The Corinthian church was rich in spiritual gifts but lacking in love. Paul had just taught in 1 Corinthians 12 about spiritual gifts and the church as one body, but now he interrupts the flow of teaching to show them “a more excellent way” — the way of love Corinth was a competitive, status - driven society, and those attitudes had crept into the church. Some believers were boasting in their gifts, while others felt lesser or excluded. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul makes it clear: no matter how impressive your gift , how generous your actions, or how great your faith — without love, it’s nothing Paul doesn’t define love by feelings but by actions, attitudes, and character. He ends the chapter by elevating love above even faith and hope, declaring that “the greatest of these is love.” Go Deeper – Exploring Scripture Key Passages from 1 Corinthians 13: • Verses 1 – 3 – Without love, even the most extraordinary gifts or sacrifices mean nothing. • Verses 4 – 7 – A practical definition of what love looks like: patient, kind, humble, forgiving, enduring. • Verses 8 – 13 – Love will last forever, even when spiritual gifts cease. Faith and hope remain, but love is the greatest. Supporting Scriptures: Old Testament Examples: 1. Exodus 34:6 – God describes Himself as “abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” 2. Ruth 1:16 - 17 – Ruth’s sacrificial loyalty to Naomi reflects enduring love. 3. Proverbs 10:12 – “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.” New Testament Examples: 1. John 13:34 - 35 – Jesus says, “By this everyone will know you are my disciples — if you love one another.” 2. Romans 5:8 – “God demonstrates His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 3. Galatians 5:22 - 23 – Love is the first fruit of the Spirit. 4. 1 John 4:7 - 12 – God is love; anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 5. Ephesians 5:1 - 2 – Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us. Discussion Questions: 1. Why do you think Paul places such emphasis on love, even over faith and hope? 2. Which of the descriptions of love in verses 4 – 7 do you find most challenging? Why? 3. How does Paul’s definition of love contrast with society’s definition today? 4. What does it mean that love “never fails”? 5. How do the other scriptures help us understand the enduring, sacrificial nature of God’s love? Application Living Out the Teaching Objective: E valuate your love in light of Paul’s teaching and take practical steps to love others deeply and consistently. Application Questions: 1. When you serve or use your gifts (in ministry, home, or workplace), is love your motivation? How can you center love more? 2. Read verses 4 – 7 again. Which one or two characteristics of love do you want to grow in this week? 3. Is there someone in your life whom you find difficult to love? What would it look like to show 1 Corinthians 13 - style love to them? 4. What habits or practices help you grow in love (e.g., prayer, forgiveness, acts of kindness)? 5. Think of one person you can actively love this week through a specific action. What will you do and when? Conclusion & Challenge: 1 Corinthians 13 reminds us that love is not a feeling — it’s a decision, a commitment, and a way of life. Let love define everything you do this week. As Paul writes in Galatians 5:6, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Challenge: Choose one description of love from verses 4 – 7 and intentionally practice it every day for the next week. Reflect at the end of the week on how it impacted your relationships and your heart. ParentCue 1. How does this week’s message apply to your daily/weekly family life? 2. What are some practical ways you can model these truths for kids? What are ways you can give kids an opportunity to practice these truths themselves? 3. What challenges are you facing in your family or parenting right now? Share with the group and pray/talk through how you can give biblical counsel and support for each other through those challenges. 4. Are there any encouraging or helpful parenting resources, verses, etc. that you found this week to share? G rowing C loser 1. Who is someone you shared the gospel with this week? 2. What have you been reading in your quiet times? 3. What has God been teaching you?