Family Dinner & Devos, Jan 28-Feb 3

Blessed Epiphany!

Scripture for the Week:  1 Corinthians 13:1-13

In this passage, the apostle Paul speaks to the early church in the city of Corinth about "love."

 

Learn-By-Heart Verse for the Week (NIV Translation):

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”  1 Corinthians 13:13 

• What does "love" look like? (note - this week at Ascension Lutheran School, students will be writing on sticky notes what they think "love" looks like and then sticking those on the back wall of the sanctuary for people to see at Wednesday chapel or during weekend worship services; feel free to add your own stickies to the wall or write/draw them at home)
• This particular passage is a popular one to be read at weddings.  Paul, however, is not speaking just about married couples, but about how love - how experiencing and living God's love - works in all of our relationships.  Consider verses 4-7... if you take out the word "love" and put in your own name, does it fit?  In other words, are you patient, kind, not envious, honoring of others, etc?  Which of these descriptive words for "love" are easier for you?  Which are harder?
• It could be argued that "love" is an overused word in our culture.  We say things like "I love ice cream" and "I love soccer" and "I love that movie star."  Do you think using "love" in these contexts makes us see "love" in a lesser way?  What might happen this week if you catch yourself every time you say "love" and pause to really consider the word?  What might happen if you use the word "love" to only describe that which you truly love most?
• Make a commitment to say "I love you" more often this week.  As you sit around the table, share at least one thing you love about one another.

• And the Epiphany question:  Where have you seen God at work this week?  (or, Where have you spotted God this week?)
  
  

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

We thank you for your great love... your unconditional, indescribable love.

May we feel that love deep within us.

Lord, forgive us when we are impatient or unkind or dishonoring.

Helps us to love more fully and deeply.

May we live each day in faith and hope, but most importantly in love.

Amen.