LOVE TIPS
INTRO OF WHOLE SERIES ON HEBREWS 13:
"It’s a strange thing: the book has never been so accessible. According to Guinness Book of Records, L. Ron Hubbard’s writings of scientology have been translated into 65 languages; the Koran is supposed to be read in Arabic so it hasn’t been translated as much; the Book of Mormon is in about 100 languages. But 2,656 languages have all or some of the Bible. Some 65 million copies of the Bible are brought or distributed in the U.S. every year--nothing else is a close second. The average house has at least three. People cheer the Bible, buy the Bible, give the Bible, own the Bible-they just don’t actually read the Bible. According to George Gallup: One Third of those surveyed know who delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Fewer than half can name the first book of the Bible; 80 percent of born-again Christians believe the phrase Go helps those who help themselves is in the Bible (it’s Ben Franklin, if you’re curious). So I’m thinking a lot these days about how to help the people that God brings my way to know and love the book"
TRANSITION: INTRODUCE HEBREWS 13
BIBLE VERSE:
Hebrews 13:1-3 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
*Leaders, this Sunday may be a little short on the info…a bunch of our girls will be attending Holli’s baby shower. So though the following information is awesome, it really is going to be randomly placed and not follow any particular order.
THE WORD: AGAPE
“The Greek word agape (love) seems to have been virtually a Christian invention -- a new word for a new thing (apart from about twenty occurrences in the Greek version of the Old Testament, it is almost non-existent before the New Testament). Agape draws its meaning directly from the revelation of God in Christ. It is not a form of natural affection, however, intense, but a supernatural fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). It is a matter of will rather than feeling (for Christians must love even those they dislike -- Matt. 5:44-48). It is the basic element in Christ-likeness.”
DIVORCE & TOYS CONNECTION
This odd fact I have held onto since I read it in 1993. Now, I know it seems mute because 20 years later divorce is sadly massively more prevalent. But the concept is interesting…
“Why do toymakers watch the divorce rate? When it rises, so do toy sales. According to the analyzers, four parents and eight grandparents tend to compete for children's affections, so buy toys. “
DATING WISDOM (Leaders, I know this week will be higher percentage of boys than girls, so here are some dating nuggets for them—it focuses a little more from the guys side then from the girls side, but it’s pretty good).
A) SUITABLE HELPER FOR MARRIAGE: I’ve spoken this a lot so stressing it may not be that important. But please mention it because all youth need to hear it.
B) DATING OR COURTSHIP: Technically, neither term appears in the Bible, but neither does the word Rapture or Trinity and the absence of the term doesn’t make either one more or less Biblical. The key ingredient according to 2 Peter 2:20 says to NOT DO what the world does. What does the world do currently? Well, they date around, date around, date around, live together, live together, then get married. So what should we take from this….well..we should NOT date around and NOT live together before marriage.
C) MUST BE BORN AGAIN: John 3:3-8 tells us that our future spouse must be “born of the spirit.” So it is mandated that we must marry a believer and only a believer. So, when you love someone….what is the obvious question that needs to be answered?
D) PUT GOD FIRST: Did you know that sometimes a relationship is idolatry? Yeah, and this may be the first time you ever thought of this. But when 2 people are passionately in love, there runs the risk of putting God second to the love one shares of their relationship. Be careful.
E) WHAT AGE? Well, when do you plan to get married? If you plan to get married at 30 years old, well then start dating at about 26 or so. If you plan to get married at age 12, then maybe you should begin handing out candy hearts at about 9. There is no Biblical specific age.
*I do want to point something out though. And that is 1 Timothy 4:12 states, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.”
NOTICE THE KEY WORD HERE: LOVE. There seems to be an expectation that it is okay to be married young and there seems to be an expectation that this will never be OK with the world. Just sayin’.
LOVE LIST BY FAMILY MATTERS
Following is list of something’s to do while in love with your spouse, this is really more for our leaders, but here you go (I picked this up some years ago from Family Matters:
“Looking for a gift or just a unique way to say "I love you?" What do you give when his dresser is full of cologne and you're both on diets? When she thinks flowers die too soon, and you've already spent next month's paycheck? Here are 21 great inexpensive ways to tell the love of your life just how much you care.
1. Make a homemade card with a picture of the two of you on the cover. Get ideas for a verse by spending a few minutes browsing through a card shop.
2. Write a poem. It doesn't have to rhyme.
3. Send a love letter listing the reasons "Why I love you so much."
4. Pledge your love for a lifetime. Write it on calligraphy or design it on a desktop computer and print it out on parchment paper and have it framed.
5. Plan a surprise lunch, complete with picnic basket, sparkling grape juice and goblets.
6. Bake a giant cookie and write "I love you" with heart shaped redhots or frosting. (Don't worry about the calories, it's not for eating!)
7. Make a coupon book and include coupons for a back rub, a compromise when about to lose an argument, a listening ear when needed, and doing the dishes when the other cooks.
8. Kidnap the car for a thorough washing and detailing.
9. Design your personal crest combining symbols that are meaningful to both of you.
10. Compose a love song.
11. Arrange for someone to sing a favorite love song to you and your love when you're together.
12. Call a radio station and have them announce a love message from you and make sure your love is listening at the right time.
13. Make a big sign such as: "I Love You, Kristi. Love, Joe" and put it in front of your house or her apartment complex for the world to see.
14. Buy favorite fruits that aren't in season, like a basket of strawberries or blueberries.
15. Hide little love notes in the car, a coat pocket, or desk.
16. Place a love message in the "personal" section of the classified ads in your local paper.
17. Florist flowers aren't the only way to say "I love you." Pluck a single flower and write a message about how its beauty reminds you of your love. For greater impact, have it delivered at work.
18. Prepare a surprise candle light gourmet low-calorie dinner for two.
19. Write the story of the growth of your relationship from your perspective, sharing your emotions and your joys. What a treasure!
20. Make a paperweight from a smooth stone, paint it, and write a special love message on it.
21. Promise to change a habit that your love has been wanting you to change.”
Sources:
Boyd, L.M. Spokesman Review, March 15, 1993.
Packer, James. Your Father Loves You, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986.
People of The Book, pages 37-40 from Leadership Edition Winter 2008.