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Expanding Your Circle of Love

“Measuring Up”

Luke 6:37-38

Are we measuring up to Jesus’ standard?

• Am I listening? (27a)
• Am I loving well? (27b-35a)
• Am I resembling the Father? (35b-36) (Matt 5:44-45)
• What am I doing? (31, 37-38)

Truth:

• God’s glory and presence fill the whole earth and universe - except the heart of man.
• We do not measure up to God’s standard.
• We do not hold others to a just standard.
• God knew this and sent One who did measure up. (Eph. 3:19 NIV)
• Jesus’ death on the cross pours life into those who believe in Him giving forgiveness and hope and peace to the fullest measure!

What does measuring up look like?

• Accept the free gift of God in Christ
• Invite Him to make His home in your heart - to make you more like Jesus
• Display the character of God in how you love Him & others
  • judging | forgiving = release
  • condemning | giving = surrender
  • We do not forgive and give to get but to let go
  • It’s not about what I get, it’s about what God gets: glory & praise
• We need to up our measurement to God’s standard
  • In Christ, He has forgiven and given to the fullest measure and poured it into our laps
  • He expects us to forgive and give to others with this same measurement!
  • Measuring up is a heart issue - allow God in to make your heart truly His home so His presence will fill the universe and you

Core CHRISTlike Characteristics: Relates with Other-Centered Love, Spirit-Led Servant

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Life

• Begin Life Group with prayer - invite the Holy Spirit to speak and move among you.
• Ice breaker: Whether it was a job you worked or school or other moments in life, describe a time that you felt you didn’t measure up to the task or challenge in front of you.
• Looking back over this series, what area do you feel you’ve grown in when responding to Jesus’ challenge to listen, love, resemble the Father and do good to others?
• Thinking of that person who you struggle to forgive, or the one you don’t wish to give anything to, how can you take a step towards the love and generosity Jesus is talking about here?
• How does the Hindu/Buddhist term “karma” compare and differ to what Jesus is teaching in this section?
• Read Jesus’ story of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:21-35. Apply Jesus’ instruction in this passage to the story - how does the story help elaborate on Jesus’ point? How can we live differently because of this?
• End your time in prayer over these things. Encourage and strengthen each other as you pray especially in the growth we all need to be Spirit-led lovers who forgive and give abundantly for God’s glory!