Love - Lesson 2: The Importance of Love

Love

Lesson 2: The Importance of Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 [1] If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing. [3] If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.

Galatians 5:13 For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.

The Main Points for This Lesson:

This series of lessons will center around love as seen in chapter 13 of the apostle Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians. The purpose of these lessons is to teach about love: love's importance; what love looks like lived out, including what it is and what it isn't, and what it does and what it doesn't do; love's greatness.

Love is important. We can possess many spiritual gifts, and we can do many good things. These gifts and good works are good. It is good to speak in the tongues of men and of angels. It is good to have the gift of prophecy, to know mysteries and knowledge, to have faith. It is good to give alms and to sacrifice yourself even unto death. In those good things, our service to others, whether in the use of spiritual gifts, or in the doing of good works and deeds, must be done through love (Galatians 5:13). Having love or not having love, may or may not have an effect on the service done to another, but it has everything to do with the servant doing the service.

Speaking with the languages of men and of angels is a good things. We can speak words that help and build up others (Ephesians 4:29). We can even speak words for the salvation of those who hear (Acts 11:14). This may be a gift of the Holy Spirit. If we do not have love, we may still be able to speak in this way. However, if we do not have love, then we, the speaker, are in God's sight a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

Prophecy, wisdom, knowledge and faith are all gifts of the Holy Spirit. Surely those who possess these gifts might dare to call themselves Christians, disciples of Jesus Christ, children of God. If we do not have love, we may still prophecy or know wisdom and knowledge, etc.. Balaam had the gift of prophecy, and was able to prophesy, though it seems he did not have love. King Saul prophesied three times, though at least two of those time it seems safe to say he did not have love. If we do not have love, whatever we may be able to do with our gifts, we ourselves are counted as nothing in the sight of God.

Giving alms and sacrificing yourself is good. Many times we are told that giving alms is a means of gaining treasure in heaven. Jesus said that if we lose our life for his sake and the gospels, we will save our life. Giving alms and sacrificing yourself can be of great profit to the one giving. If we do not have love, we can still give alms and still offer our body to death. Those alms and that sacrifice may even help others. However, if we do not have love, then those things will be of no profit to us. We will not gain treasure in heaven. We will not save our life by losing it. Love is of such importance in God's eyes.

We must have love. All the other things are good. As we are able, we should serve others through these different gifts or actions. Above all these things, we must have love, so that we can serve one another through love.

Jesus had all these things. With them he also had love. He is the one who has gone before us and shown us the way. He spoke, he prophesied, and knew mysteries and knowledge. He could move mountains. He gave alms, and sacrificed his body for the sins of men. He also had love. So he is the risen Christ, exalted to the right hand of God, and appointed as the one who will come again to judge the living and the dead. May we follow in his steps, through love being servants to one another.

Suggestions:

To open the lesson, pray for the teacher and the students.

Let the children know that we are having some lessons on 1 Corinthians 13, about love. While 1 Corinthians 13 is not the only place God teaches us about love, it provides a very helpful, practical, and (perhaps) easily understood description of love.

In this lesson, we will learn about the importance of love.

Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 with the children. Ask them to name the gifts and actions mentioned and write them down on the board as they name them. (Speaking; Prophecy; Wisdom; Knowledge; Faith; Giving alms; Sacrificing your body.) What is important to have in addition to all these? (Love.)

Using the list on the board, help the children think of stories or examples from the Bible that relate to each item. You can use the stories listed below in the “Stories” section if they cannot think of a story for the items on the list. Can they think of someone who spoke well? Did they speak having love, or not having love? Can you think of someone who prophesied? Did they also have love, or not? Etc.

Finally, ask them about Jesus. Did Jesus speak well? Did Jesus prophesy? Did Jesus know all mysteries and all knowledge? Did he have all faith to move mountains? Did he help the poor? Did he sacrifice his own body? Did he have love? So as we serve others, what should we have? (Love.)

To close the lesson, pray with the children (perhaps that we could learn to serve one another through love) and have all the children read the Lord's prayer together.

Stories:

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 [1] If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing. [3] If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.

Speak

Acts 12:18-23 – Herod spoke well, but had no love.

Philippians 1:12-18 – Some preached Christ from selfish ambition. Some preached Christ from love.

Prophecy

1 Samuel 18:8-11; 19:18-24 – King Saul prophesied, but did not have love.

John 11:51 – The High Priest Ananias prophesied about Jesus dying for the nation. He did not have love.

Numbers 22-24;31:8,16 – Balaam had the gift of prophecy. He did not have love, but cared only for money.

Mysteries, Knowledge

2 Samuel 16:23; 17:23 – Ahithophel knew and understood much. He did not have love.

1 Corinthians 3:21-23; 4:1 – Paul new mysteries. He used this to serve others through love.

Give alms

Luke 18:9-14 – The pharisee gave tithes of all he received. He did not have love.

Acts 10:1-6 – Cornelius gave alms and had love. It was of great profit to him and his household.

Sacrifice your body

Daniel 3:1-30 – The three friends offered their bodies to be burned. They had love.

More Stories and Examples:

Numbers 22-24;31:8,16 [31:16] Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against Yahweh in the matter of Peor, and so the plague was among the congregation of Yahweh.

Balaam was a prophet. His prophecies are recorded in the book of Numbers. His death among the enemies of God's people is also recorded in the book of Numbers. He had the gift of prophecy, but he did not have love for God or for God's people. He sought after money for himself (2 Peter 2:15). In the end, he was nothing.

2 Peter 2:15-17 [15] forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrongdoing; [16] but he was rebuked for his own disobedience. A mute donkey spoke with a man’s voice and stopped the madness of the prophet. [17] These are wells without water, clouds driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever.

If we speak well or prophesy, if we possess spiritual knowledge or great faith, if we give many gifts to help the poor or sacrifice our own bodies, but we do not have love, then we are like a well without water.

Mark 10:17-23 [17] As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” [18] Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God. [19] You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’” [20] He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.” [21] Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.” [22] But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions. [23] Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!”

It is likely that too many of us look with scorn at this man who came to Jesus. Jesus will teach him a lesson. However, we are told that Jesus looked at him and loved him. That makes all the difference. His words are not the words of the proud, boasting over the state of others, as a Pharisee once did in the temple (Luke 18:9-14). Jesus loved the man. He desired not the downfall but the salvation of this man's soul. May we have love in this way.

Other Verses:

SPEAK WITH TONGUES OF MEN AND OF ANGELS

Acts 11:13-15 [13] He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying to him, ‘Send to Joppa, and get Simon, who is called Peter, [14] who will speak to you words by which you will be saved, you and all your house.’ [15] As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 [7] But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. [8] For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; [9] to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit; [10] and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. [11] But the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Philippians 1:12-18 [12] Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News; [13] so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ; [14] and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear. [15] Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will. [16] The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains; [17] but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News. [18] What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.

Both groups of people preached Christ. Some from selfish ambition, and some from love. Those preaching Christ from selfish ambition were still preaching Christ, just as those who were preaching from love. “Christ is proclaimed.” Yet surely the former will not find God's good pleasure, while the latter will one day hear “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

HAVE GIFT OF PROPHECY

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 [7] But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. [8] For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; [9] to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit; [10] and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. [11] But the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.

1 Corinthians 12:28 God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.

Matthew 7:21-23 [21] Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ [23] Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’

KNOW ALL MYSTERIES AND KNOWLEDGE

Matthew 13:11 He answered them, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 [7] But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. [8] For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; [9] to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit; [10] and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. [11] But the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.

HAVE ALL FAITH SO AS TO REMOVE MOUNTAINS

Matthew 17:20 He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Matthew 21:21-22 [21] Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith, and don’t doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you told this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it would be done. [22] All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Mark 11:22-24 [22] Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. [23] For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says. [24] Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them.

Luke 17:5-6 [5] The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” [6] The Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you would tell this sycamore tree, ‘Be uprooted, and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

1Corinthians 12:7-11 [7] But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. [8] For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; [9] to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit; [10] and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. [11] But the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.

Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love.

GIVE ALMS

Matthew 6:1-4 [1] “Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. [2] Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. [3] But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, [4] so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Mark 12:41-44 [41] Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much. [42] A poor widow came, and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin. [43] He called his disciples to himself, and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury, [44] for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.”

Luke 14:12-14 [12] He also said to the one who had invited him, “When you make a dinner or a supper, don’t call your friends, nor your brothers, nor your kinsmen, nor rich neighbors, or perhaps they might also return the favor, and pay you back. [13] But when you make a feast, ask the poor, the maimed, the lame, or the blind; [14] and you will be blessed, because they don’t have the resources to repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous.”

Luke 18:21-22 [21] He said, “I have observed all these things from my youth up.” [22] When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Come, follow me.”

Galatians 6:9-10 [9] Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up. [10] So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.

SACRIFICE BODY TO BE BURNED

Matthew 16:24-25 [24] Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. [25] For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.

John 15:12-13 [12] “This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

John 13:36-38 [36] Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you will follow afterwards.” [37] Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” [38] Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly I tell you, the rooster won’t crow until you have denied me three times.

2 Timothy 2:11 This saying is faithful: “For if we died with him, we will also live with him.

HAVE LOVE

Matthew 22:34-40 [34] But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together. [35] One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him. [36] “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” [37] Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

All that God's children ought to be and do depends on these two commandments. Love binds all together.

Luke 11:42 But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, but you bypass justice and the love of God. You ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.

Romans 13:8-10 [8] Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. [9] For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [10] Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

Galatians 5:13-14 [13] For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. [14] For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

1 Timothy 1:5-6 [5] but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith; [6] from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned aside to vain talking;

1 John 3:10-18 [10] In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn’t do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn’t love his brother. [11] For this is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; [12] unlike Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother. Why did he kill him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. [13] Don’t be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. [14] We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn’t love his brother remains in death. [15] Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. [16] By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. [17] But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does the love of God remain in him? [18] My little children, let’s not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.

1 John 4:7-12 [7] Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God. [8] He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love. [9] By this God’s love was revealed in us, that God has sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. [10] In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. [11] Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another. [12] No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us.