1 John 3:16-18, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 1 Timothy 2:1-7

Today's bible study is a resource from Baptist Mission Australia which was written by Rev Dr Graham Joseph Hill, Baptist Mission Australia’s WA State Leader, theologian and author. This is to complement our guest preacher Scott Pilgrim's sermon at NVBC on 11th June. You can find the original resource on the Baptist Mission Australia website here.

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We love people and holistically respond to their needs

Read these three passages and answer the following questions:

• 1 John 3:16-18

• 1 Thessalonians 5:11

• 1 Timothy 2:1-7

1. What stands out to you in these passages?

2. Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable? Where do you think this discomfort comes from?

3. What does being a ‘person of love’ mean to you in your life?

4. How are you challenged to engage with the world around you differently through the lens of being a ‘person of love’?

5. What one thing can you do this week to love in action, encouragement or prayer?

Small Group Practice

• Think of two people you will bless this week through loving actions (one of whom is a member of your church and one of whom is not). Share the names of these people with your small group.

• This week, love them through words of encouragement, acts of kindness and generosity. Also pray for them. Next week, share with the group how you went doing this.

Prayer

Pray together as a small group or church. Pray for each other and Baptist Mission Australia intercultural teams.

Open our hearts to our neighbours. May they become our friends.

Open our lives to strangers, immigrants and those we don’t yet know. Help us show welcome and embrace.

Open our tables, so they become places of friendship, community and love.

Open our homes and our finances, so they bless others and express generosity.

Open our mouths to bless, affirm and honour others. Lead us to live lives that affirm and honour others, building them up.

Give us the grace to be open, welcoming, affirming and generous.

Enable us to be Alongsiders who are people of love.

Amen.

The Prayer is adapted from page 75 of Hide This in Your Heart: Memorising Scripture for Kingdom Impact by Michael Frost and Graham Joseph Hill (NavPress, 2020)