Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
Discussion Questions
vs. 7 whoever loves has been born of God and knows God
How can this be true?
- Doesn’t everyone love somebody?
- So does everyone know God?
What kinds of love does the New Testament describe and how are they different from one another?
What kind of love is John talking about in this verse?
vs. 9 How does John say that God’s love was shown to us?
vs. 10 What is propitiation?
- Why would this be necessary?
- What meaning can God’s mercy have if he is not capable of wrath?
- Are you thankful for Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on your behalf?
vs. 11 if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another
God showed his love by an atoning sacrifice when we deserved His wrath.
- What does this say about the kind of love he wants us to display to one another?
- How is this possible?
vs. 12 if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us.
- Do you want this?
- Let’s ask Him to do this work in us