Today's passage is a common, yet powerful verse. There are numerous teachings into the reasoning behind this verse and why it is true. It's well worth spending time thinking through this, pondering it, and medicating on it. I'm happy to share my thoughts on this sometime if you are interested, but that will not be today's point. Rather, today's focus will be on the fact that it is true.

We can see the power of love in our everyday lives. We can see the powerful gap it leaves when it is not present in a situation. Romans 5 indicates that God the Father demonstrated His love for us by giving His son to die for us [v. 8] and by pouring His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit [v. 5]. This season is a realization of God's love. Jesus' life was lived, poured out, and reclaimed in loving obedience to His Father, and in love for us. Love remains the primary hallmark of being a Christian [John 13.34-35 and I John 3.14]. May the word of God bind us together with one another and Him with that which is the greatest: love.

[I Corinthians 13.13]

13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What insight can we gain into the meaning of this verse from preceding verses in this chapter? [v. 2 and others]

+ Does this verse diminish the value of faith and hope?

+ How does this verse apply to the events of the first Christmas and this Christmas?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ This chapter gives numerous descriptions of love. Where in your life do you see the Spirit bringing these to fruition? Where can you pray for the Spirit to help you act in a more loving way?

+ Are interactions with fellow Christians indicative of being full of the love of the Father through the Holy Spirit by the work of the Son? Where can this be improved, and what steps can you take this week to demonstrate that love more effectively to fellow believers?

+ God the Father demonstrated His love for us while we were yet sinners. Are there people yet to be saved to whom you can give the Good News that God loves them and has made it possible for them to be with Him through the work of Jesus?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?