Beloved
January 13, 2013
Last week’s theme: “Broken” – Broken hearts, broken ways, and a broken spirit.
This week’s theme: “Beloved.”
DAY 1
When you hear the phrase, “God loves you,” what goes through your mind? Something sweet? Syrupy? “Oh, that’s nice?” If our response is something akin to that, it tells us that we mostly believe that God’s love for us is earned because in some way we deserve it. His love is “not all that surprising” because we envision ourselves as “loveable.”
Instead, the phrase, “God loves you,” should evoke astonishment and wonder! “How could God love someone like me?!” It is this second way, this backdrop which makes the love of God astonishing and a gift we should treasure.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1. How does Paul describe our condition? Does he see us as loveable, or something else?
2. “Sinner,” in our English translation, is a broad “umbrella” term encompassing many different Hebrew and Greek words. Below are a few of them:
a. Falling short-
b. Missing the mark-
c. Rebelling-
d. Stubbornness-
3. Do any of the above words describe someone you know? How difficult is it to love that person?
4. What do you have to overcome in order to love that person?
5. If you do have some love for that person, what helps you overcome their question #2 “issues”?
6. Look back at Romans 5:8. All four of the words in question #2 describe you and me! What strikes you about that reality?
7. IN LIGHT OF THIS STUDY, how does the fact that God loves YOU, strike you?
DAY 2
1. Yesterday, we saw that we are “beloved” by God, not because we are loveable. In fact, we are anything but “loveable,” yet, God loves us anyway.
Many biblical verses describe God’s people as “beloved” by God. In the following verses, underline “beloved” and add a few words that strike you about each verse.
Romans 1:7 To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Note: “saint” is a New Testament word for “Christian.”
Romans 9:25 As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call `my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call `my beloved.'”
Romans 11:28 As regards the gospel they are enemies of God, for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.
2. God’s love for you began before you were born! Underline “beloved” and jot down a thought or two about each of the verses:
1 Thessalonians 1:4 For we know, brethren beloved by God, that he has chosen you;
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
3. The preceding verses reveal a mystery. God “chose” you before you were born. For each of the sub-points below, jot down a thought…
a. You were / are loved prior to your birth.
b. You were / are loved prior to you sinning against God.
c. You were / are loved by God’s choice, not your effort.
d. You were / are loved in spite of God knowing you would sin!
DAY 3
Deuteronomy 33:12 About Benjamin he said: “Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.”
1. This verse is an example of being “beloved of the Lord,” and some of those benefits! Underline “beloved.”
2. What three benefits should occur because we are God’s beloved?
3. Let’s look at each of the benefits. The first is, “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him.” When you think of being “secure,” what things come to mind?
4. The second benefit is the ability to “rest.” When the bible speaks about rest it is not talking about sleep and napping. To “rest” is to:
a. Give up control without worrying.
b. To go “off duty,” not having to manage your world, people, or events.
c. To be confident in God enough to relinquish decisions to Him.
d. God says we can “rest between His shoulders.” (A strong image of a small child resting his head on his daddy’s chest).
5. Which of the images best describe “rest” to you?
6. What would it mean for you to “rest?”
7. The third benefit is that God “shields him all day long…” We live in a world where we need shielding!
8. Which of the three benefits most strikes you?
DAY 4
1. The following verses tell us to do something. It is assumed (in a good way) that we are the beloved.
In each verse, circle “beloved,” and then underline what the beloved are supposed to do:
2 Corinthians 7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.
Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Colossians 3:12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience,
2. In addition, there are a number of examples, where the biblical writers call each other and treat each other as beloved.
Colossians 4:9 and with him Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
Philemon 1:16 … no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
Note: the two previous verses describe Onesimus, once a slave who was considered less than human, as a beloved brother, just like Dr. Luke in the next verse…
Colossians 4:14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I beseech you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh that wage war against your soul.
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you.
3. The bible teaches that you are beloved! It is to shape your identity. It is your identity.
DAY 5
1. Human “love” rises on falls on performance. If someone does something you really like your “love” grows. If they do something that annoys you, your “love” takes a hit.
That’s not true with God’s love. It is “UNdefeatable” and “unloseable.”
In the verses below, write down the ramifications of each of the sections …
Romans 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2. All of our lives are spent trying to do some of the following:
a. Prove ourselves (to ourselves and/or someone else),
b. Get someone to love us like we want to be loved,
c. Become successful at something to feel important,
d. Get some kind of validation to authenticate our life, OR
e. RECEIVE GOD’S LOVE THAT IS FREELY GIVEN AND CAN’T BE TAKEN AWAY OR LOST!