I hate leading bible studies. I absolutely dislike feeling utterly inadequate. I don't know how to decrease awkwardness or keep the group tuned in to the conversations. But of course that's why God selected me to initiate today's study -_- Funny enough, earlier today, I sent a leader a passage that ultimately became applicable to me within a few hours.
"And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. " - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
This evening's impromptu bible study was on John 21 and the bulk of our focus was on Jesus' three questions!
“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
What do these questions mean? Why this specific order? What is the significance of each question? Why three times? Simon?! Thought it was Peter?! ...Our heads were gonna explode.
It was such a powerful revelation that each question contrasted one another. But why in this order? The first two times Jesus used the Greek word agape love which meant unconditional love. The third time He uses phileo love which means "homeboy love". I could understand if Jesus was stretching Peter to move from phileo love to agape love. But why was the order of focus agape, agape, then phileo?
*wrestle mode*
So had some discussions with Pastor Scott Dixon on the progression of Jesus' questions. We both concluded with the same answer, "I don't know!"
ReplyDeleteBut this we did bring up. The premise of agape love is not built on feelings, it's built on a commitment. Agape, agape, then phileo. Sometimes, loving people will be difficult. But don't give up. Keep loving, keep loving, and keep loving. As you do so, something happens to your heart. From loving out of a commitment (agape) you begin loving like a friend (phileo).