Learning to Lovewell: WK 1 - GROUP GUIDE

INTRODUCTION
The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.

OPENING QUESTION
What does loving well mean to you and why do you think it’s so important to our call as followers of Jesus, and our call as communities of faith?

HEAD

1. Read Genesis 1:26-31, together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading.
2. Notice the shift in language from the other days of creation. In days 1-5, it was “let there be…” With humans, it’s “let us make…” Why do you think the language changes?  And why are the pronouns “us” and “our” important?
3. Why does God bless them before they do anything?
4. God actually invites humans to participate in his work of creation by inviting them to be fruitful and multiply. Why is this important?
5. Do you think reigning over someone or something before sin was different than what we think it means to reign over someone or something now? If so, how?

HEART

1. Who is someone in your life right now that you need to remember are first and foremost, image-bearers of God? What are some ways we can help each other remember that we all bear God’s image, even if that image is far from the surface in how we behave or treat others?
2. What were you taught about God growing up, that you had to earn his favor or that you have his favor because you exist? Why does the difference matter so much?
3. Why do you think you and I crave meaningful work?
4. God designed us to work in partnership with him. He did so in the Garden, and he does so with the creation of his church as seen in Matthew 28:18-20, and Acts 1-2. What does it mean to you that God wants to partner with you, and how do we seek to be good partners in that relationship?
5. Why do you think we are designed to love?

HANDS
This week, think about someone in your world that you struggle to love and to see as an image-bearer of God. Ask God to soften your heart in some way towards them. At the end of the week, think of some way to shine God’s light of love into their life, even if that means simply letting them know you’re praying for them.

WORDS TO LIVE BY
12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.
I John 4:12, NLT