A Community Of Love

The Church: Defined
Week 2 — A Community of Love
Main Scripture: John 13:34–35
“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
—John 13:34–35, CSB

Big Idea
We have been loved by Jesus in a way we did not deserve, and people who have received that kind of love should begin loving differently.

1. Love Has a Standard—Jesus
John 13:34
Jesus doesn't leave the definition of love up to us.
He commands us to love:
“Just as I have loved you.”

In John 13, Jesus demonstrates that love by washing His disciples' feet—even though He knows Peter will deny Him, the disciples will scatter, and Judas will betray Him.
Christlike love:

• Serves when it costs something.
• Forgives when we've been hurt.
• Chooses humility over pride.
• Speaks truth because it cares about holiness.
• Loves even when love isn't returned.

Key Thought:
People who have been loved by Jesus should learn to love like Jesus.
Personal Question:
Does the way I love people look anything like the way Jesus has loved me?

2. Love Refuses to Let Division Win
1 Corinthians 1:10
Biblical unity does not mean Christians will agree about everything.
But our differences should never become greater than the Christ who unites us.
Unity isn't agreeing about everything. Unity is refusing to let anything become more important than our life together in Christ.

Division often begins with:

• An offense
• A misunderstanding
• An unmet expectation
• Pride
• Personal preferences
• Talking about someone instead of talking to them

Jesus teaches us in Matthew 18:15 to move toward the person when there is conflict.
The goal isn't winning an argument.
The goal is winning our brother or sister.
Truth matters. Doctrine matters. Holiness matters. But even difficult conversations should seek restoration rather than destruction.

Key Thought:
Love refuses to let division have the final word.
Personal Question:
Is there a relationship where God is calling me to take the first step toward reconciliation?

3. Love Makes Jesus Visible
John 13:35
Jesus says our love for one another becomes part of our witness to the world.
People aren't only listening to what Christians say about Jesus.
They're watching what Jesus does to us.

They see:

• How we treat one another.
• How we handle disagreements.
• How we respond when someone fails.
• Whether we forgive.
• Whether we serve.
• Whether the grace we preach becomes the grace we extend.

Galatians 5:13 calls us to “serve one another through love.”
Service makes love tangible.

It doesn't always require a program, position, or sign-up sheet. Love notices people and responds to their needs.

Key Thought:
The gospel isn't demonstrated by pretending we're perfect. It's demonstrated when imperfect people keep returning to the grace of a perfect Savior.

Personal Question:
If someone knew nothing about Jesus except what they saw in the way I love other believers, what would they believe Jesus is like?

This Week's Challenge
Jesus didn't simply command:
“Love one another.”
He said:
“Just as I have loved you.”
This week, identify one person whom God is calling you to intentionally love like Jesus.
That may mean:
Serve. Forgive. Encourage. Reconcile. Listen. Tell the truth. Carry a burden.
Don't simply say that you love people.
Make the love of Jesus visible.

Discussion Questions

1. Read John 13:34–35. What makes Jesus' command to love one another different from the way our culture commonly defines love?
2. Why are the words “Just as I have loved you” so important to understanding Jesus' command?
3. Consider the setting of John 13. What does Jesus washing the feet of disciples who would deny, abandon, and betray Him teach us about Christlike love?
4. Which aspect of Christlike love is most difficult for you: serving, forgiving, sacrificing, speaking truth, or loving when love isn't returned? Why?
5. What is the difference between unity and simply agreeing about everything?
6. Read Matthew 18:15. Why is talking directly to someone so important when conflict occurs? What tends to happen when we talk about someone instead of to them?
7. How can Christians pursue unity without compromising biblical truth or ignoring sin?
8. Read Galatians 5:13. What are some practical ways we can “serve one another through love” that don't involve an organized church ministry?
9. Jesus says the world will recognize His disciples by their love for one another. How can conflict, gossip, bitterness, or unforgiveness within the church damage our witness?
10. Who is one person God may be calling you to intentionally love this week, and what would loving them like Jesus look like in practical terms?

Closing Reflection
Can people see Jesus in the way I love His people?