WEEK TWO – EXTENDED REFLECTION OF PASSAGE
Insights on Practicing Love: Matthew 22: 34-40 (NIV)
NOTE FOR GROUP LEADER: With the group, read or listen to the passage again and discuss any or all of the reflection questions. Items needed: Reading passage and questions.
Matthew 22: 34-40 (NIV)
The Greatest Commandment
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- What is love?
- What does love look like?
- Who is God for you that you should love Him?
- What does Jesus mean when He says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind?”
- What are some examples in the world that we need to love God more?
- What are some examples that we love God? How do we behave that shows our love for God?
- In your opinion, is it important to love God? Why? Why not? If so, how can we love God more in our present condition?
- What does Jesus mean when He says, “Love your neighbor as yourself?”
- What are some examples in the world that we love our neighbor?
- What are some examples in the world that we need to love our neighbor more?
- What are some examples in our own lives of how we love our neighbor? How do we behave that shows our love for our neighbor?
- In your opinion, is it important to love your neighbor? Why? Why not? If so, how can you love your neighbor more in your present condition?
- Jesus also says, “to love your neighbor as yourself.”
- How can you love yourself? Why is it important to love yourself?
- Jesus says, that everything “hangs” on these two commandments. Why? What difference does it make?
NOTE TO GROUP LEADER: At the end of the session, you may want to allow the group to have a few moments for open commentary and thoughts about the session and what it may have meant for them.