Love is a word that we use in a multitude of ways. Seriously, let’s take a minute to think about how many things we’ve said we loved today. Or in the last week. You love your kids, your spouse, the sunrise, mint chocolate chip ice cream, and a million other things.
Biblical love is a different type of love than we casually use. There are different words used throughout scripture for love. Agape, eros, phileo are Greek words used for love. Agape is godly love, Eros is a romantic type of love, and phileo is brotherly love. In Galatians, Paul is referring to agape love. He’s telling us that loving God will result in a fruit of the Spirit giving us the capability to love others.
Read: Galatians 5:22-23
Context: See Intro
Notes:
- Webster // an intense feeling of deep affection
- Greek // ἀγάπη, agape
- Christian love is the fruit of His Spirit in a Christian.
- Christian love is first focused on God and then the outward flow of love for others is the fruit of this focus.
- Christian love wants the best for all, especially their brothers and sisters in Christ.
- As God is the first part of the love, Christian love for others outflows because of the obedience to God’s commandments
Discuss with Kids :
- What makes you feel loved?
- How can you show love?
- Can you see God’s love?
- How can we love God and others?
