Love as a Way of Life
Sometimes in a world that is plagued by polarization and resentment, we want a quick solution for a better way. Jesus gave us the answer to that way… the way of love. It’s not just a warm and fuzzy approach, however. We’ll explore how genuine love can impact the lives of those around us, our own lives, and ultimately, transform the world. It all begins within our hearts.
Humility
February 9
So often we fight so hard to maintain control, to have strength, and to prove ourselves. Ironically, this worldview ultimately leads to more of the same! Humility allows us to recognize our place before God, and to walk humbly with Him and others, creating an environment of encouragement rather than judgment. Jesus stepped all the way down from heaven to earth in order to lift us up. What does it look like for us to step down in order to lift others up?
Forgiveness
February 16
How can we find freedom from the grip of anger? With so much anger in our world, how can we balance forgiveness, allowing us to release bitterness, with accountability and truth? We’ll get at some of the ‘sickness’ that rules our society and look at the Jesus way. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.”
Kindness
February 23
Kindness is at the heart of love as we discover the joy of helping others. As one person put it, “Kindness is not a political issue. It is a matter of human survival.” Ultimately, God intends us to treat one another with kindness. Kindness is not just something we offer when it is first offered to us. It is a worldview and a way of life, held in conjunction with truth in love.
Patience
March 2
We’ll explore what it means to accept others’ imperfections, to meet people where they are, in order to move forward together, while not ignoring injustice. Patience is a fruit of the spirit, something born in us as we receive God’s patience and grace.