The fruit of the Holy Spirit

1. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS V L O E Lesson 2

2. HOW CAN I LOVE?

3. HOW CAN I LOVE? Which type of love should we show in our lives, as Christians? Agápe. Because it is a divine principle of for thinking and acting. It moulds our character, it rules our impulses, it controls our passions and it ennobles our affection. It is the noblest love, since it motivates us to do right and noble acts, no matter how we feel.

4. INTRINSIC CHARACTERISTICS TO AGÁPE LOVE 1 Corinthians, 13: 4-7

5. ALIEN CHARACTERISTICS TO AGÁPE LOVE 1 Corinthians, 13: 4-7

6. I am patient, I am kind, I don’t envy, I don’t boast, I’m not proud. I’m not rude, I’m not self-seeking, I’m not easily angered, I don’t keep record of wrongs. I don’t delight in evil but rejoice in the truth. I bear all things, I believe all things, I hope all things, I endure all things. HOW DO I SHOW LOVE? 1 Corinthians, 13: 4-7

7. WHOMMUST I LOVE? 1 God above all things. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy, 6: 5) We must love God with our reason, our will, our purposes, our feelings, our affection and our desires. Our love towards God must be unconditional, as He loves us.

8. WHOMMUST I LOVE? 2 My neighbour as myself. “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew, 22: 39) This love involves respecting, helping and loving everyone who is near us, in an altruistic way.

9. WHOMMUST I LOVE? 3 My enemies. “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew, 5: 44) We are not demanded to love with filía love, because we cannot feel the same affection that we feel towards our family or our friends. We are expected to love with agápe love, because that love is under our control. Loving (agápe) our bitter enemies involves treating them respectfully and courteously, considering them as God does.

10. HOW DO I PRACTICE LOVE? “A certain Samaritan, in his journey, came where the sufferer was, and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. He did not question whether the stranger was a Jew or a Gentile… He did not consider that he himself might be in danger of violence by tarrying in the place. It was enough that there was before him a human being in need and suffering. He took off his own garment with which to cover him. The oil and wine provided for his own journey he used to heal and refresh the wounded man. He lifted him on his own beast, and moved slowly along with even pace, so that the stranger might not be jarred, and made to suffer increased pain. He brought him to an inn, and cared for him through the night, watching him tenderly. In the morning, as the sick man had improved, the Samaritan ventured to go on his way. But before doing this, he placed him in the care of the innkeeper, paid the charges, and left a deposit for his benefit; and not satisfied even with this, he made provision for any further need, saying to the host, "Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee."” E.G.W. (The Desire of Ages, cp. 54, page 503)

11. HOW DO I PRACTICE LOVE? “In the story of the good Samaritan, Christ illustrates the nature of true religion. He shows that it consists not in systems, creeds, or rites, but in the performance of loving deeds, in bringing the greatest good to others, in genuine goodness… Unless there is practical self-sacrifice for the good of others, in the family circle, in the neighborhood, in the church, and wherever we may be, then whatever our profession, we are not Christians.” E.G.W. (The Desire of Ages, cp. 54, pg. 497, 504)

12. ADAPT it!Teaching Approach Effective for SMALL GROUPS ASSOCIATE truth – Why should I study this lesson?DISCOVER truth – What does the Bible say about this truth?APPLY truth – How can this truth affect my life today?PLAN using the truth – How can I use this truth today?TRANSFER truth to life – What changes do I need in my life? We invite you to download and study each one of the 13 lessons about the Fruits of the Holy Spirit Slideshare.net/chucho1943