Date: December 22, 2024
Looking Forward to Love
The Point: We can know the love of God because of Jesus’s sacrifice.
Get Into the Study
Before discussing Question #1, read the following:
DID YOU KNOW? Hugs are generally thought of as a way to convey love, but they are so much more than that!
- Hugs reduce the hormone cortisol, providing natural relief from stress.
- Hugs also release the hormone oxytocin, often dubbed the “love hormone” or “cuddle chemical.”
- Hugs help your cardiovascular system, lowering the heart rate.
- Hugs aid in digestion.
- Hugs can transform emotions from sad or depressed to happy and joyful.
- Hugs are simple to give and free to receive.
- Hugs are a lifeline for those struggling with mental health issues.
- Hugs create bonds between two people.
That’s why grandma’s hugs always felt so good! The physical touch of hugs can go a long way toward healing the body and soul. While hugs might bring physical healing, God’s love brings the ultimate healing through the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. John 1:14 says that Jesus, the son of God, became flesh and dwelt among us in order to save the world (vs.17). A tiny baby, born human and fully God, sent to die to redeem His people. This advent season, we can know the love of God because of Jesus’s sacrifice.
Hugs Therapy: Healing Power of Touch in Mental Health
Get Into the Study [Option from the Daily Discipleship Guide Leader Guide]
To introduce this session, discuss the meaning of the fourth Advent candle (love) and play “The Love of God” by MercyMe. Encourage the group to listen closely to the lyrics as they consider what God’s love means to them personally. As time allows, invite volunteers to share their thoughts. Point out that in this session you’ll talk about how we can know God’s love because of Jesus’s sacrifice.
Get Into the Study (Option from Adult Leader Guide)
In advance, play a video clip of someone who gives great hugs. Then ask Question #1.
Study the Bible
As you discuss Question #5, share the following:
Kevin Williams, a former first responder of 9/11 and 35-year veteran firefighter, was battling kidney failure. His friend and fellow firefighter, Thomas Hoey had worked it out to leave his kidney to Williams upon his death of a brain hemorrhage. Unfortunately, after Hoey passed away, it was found that he was not a match, which left Williams still in kidney failure. But less than a week later, Kevin Williams received a kidney transplant from an anonymous donor that saved his life.
However, Thomas Hoey was a match for three other people, including a 65-year-old woman who received his heart. His daughter Lauren said that, in death as in life, her dad continued to rescue people. It was reassuring to know that through her dad’s sacrifice of organ donation, he left a legacy of saving those who needed him.
The sacrifice of one family showed their love for others. In John 3:16 we see that God gave His only son, Jesus, to be a sacrifice for all humanity, to bring them into a saving relationship with Him. God gave His son, knowing the outcome was death. This is real love! This Christmas, how can we love sacrificially? What does it look like in our life to give up something for the good of others, following Christ’s example?
Retired FDNY Hero Receives Life-Saving Kidney Transplant
Erika Morrison provided these week’s Extra. Erika is passionate about being the hands and feet of Jesus to those around her. She and her husband Chris have been married for twenty-four years and are busy parents to three kids. Erika spent ten years in missions and now calls beautiful Southwest Michigan home, where they are active in their church and community.
Study the Bible (Option from Adult Leader Guide)
In advance, play a worship song about the love of God. Invite the group to sing along or to reflect upon God’s great gift in Jesus.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- What are some of your favorite ways to show people you love them?
- Whose hug do you most remember from when you were a kid?
- Who gave the best hugs when you were a kid?
- What adult or relative did you really enjoy hanging around as a kid?
John 1:14-15
- Why is it so important that God became flesh and dwelt among us?
- What are some ways that God makes His presence known to us?
- What are some ways we experience God’s glory today?
- How is God’s glory revealed today?
- How do we observe God’s glory today?
- What are the implications of Jesus being full of grace and truth?
- What does “Immanuel,” (GOD WITH US) mean to you personally?
John 1:16-18
- How would you explain the concept of grace to someone who’s never heard that term?
- When have you been stunned by the reality of God’s grace?
- How has your life been changed by the grace of God extended through Jesus?
- How can we be like Jesus and extend God’s grace to others?
John 3:14-18
- How does Christ’s death make God’s love real to you?
- How can God’s love be on display in us?
- How can we live gratefully after receiving a gift we know we don’t deserve?
- Where do we have opportunities to share the reality of God’s love during the Christmas season?
- Why do some refuse to believe this good news of love and grace?
- What does it mean to believe in Jesus?
- What are the implications of God loving the world?
- In what ways has God shown you love personally?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
Misunderstanding the Love of God
Magazine Article
This article complements the study. Share this link with your group members.
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
I sure want to thank you guys for what y’all do every week for Sunday school lessons…I had the privilege a couple weeks ago to teach Sunday school and I was nervous leading up to it but I did a lot of homework on the subject and listened to yalls podcast on the lesson probably 15 times getting everything I could out of it…I thank yall so much and I’m studying up for my next turn to teach Sunday school and will probably be listening to yalls podcast another 15 times to help get some point of views…again thank yall for this helpful and informative lesson
AGREED! this is a very valuable resource for study