Who Does God Say I Am? Week Two
Bible Study Week 2 Questions and Verses
You Are Deeply Loved & Nothing Can Separate Us From God
Romans 8:38-39
John 15:9
1 Corinthians 2:9
Ephesians 3:19
What holds us back from believing we are loved/lovable?
What does unconditional love mean to you?
Do we love ourselves as much as we love our babies?
Think of a time you broke free from a conditional relationship (friends, family, ect). How did you feel after? What did you reveal about yourself?
Journal: Write five reasons you are lovable.
Last week we started with a light introduction into our identity with Jesus. He knows us by name. This week we are going to dive a little deeper as we discover ourselves and our purpose through Him.
What is the definition of love? Well, in the English language it is described as deep affection and care. It is an active choice to nurture, respect and support. Biblically it is illustrated as unconditional, sacrificial and action-oriented commitment. This sounds more intimidating than the standard definition of the word but it had more realness to it.
When I was younger, I was taught that love was conditional. And it was, in my household. I had to re-learn how to love myself through figuring out who I was. The fact is, love is not conditional.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV Click here to see other versions of this verse
This verse is often used to illustrate what the Bible has to say about love. It is also often used during marriage ceremonies as an everlasting promise of what love will develop into during a marriage. This is the kind of love we have with The Father.
What holds us back from believing we are loved?
This can be a difficult question for some. Pause and think of your answer.
For me, my inner-critic kept me from believing affection didn't have to be earned. I had an insecure attachment style throughout my entire childhood all the way until I got married. Even a little after. It was something God helped me work through when I trusted Him with my pain. I trusted myself enough to hand it over to Him. I had only become aware of it after I became a mother. I didn't want my son to also develop these anxious attachment styles so I knew I had to really work on this within myself and my marriage.
“However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— “ 1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV
This verse always gives me goosebumps. It is so fun knowing that there is so much more than we could imagine in the future. Even if we can not begin to imagine the possibility, it will still happen. I have seen it happen in my own life. I went from a high school drop out with no elementary education to a college graduate. It was only possible through trust and perseverance. It is a huge reason we can never be separated from Him. His plans are far too big for that. We are his shepherds and it doesn't stop when we decide we don't want to do it anymore.
“...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19
What does unconditional love mean to you?
I didn't really understand this concept until I got married and had kids. There wasn't anything I wouldn't do for my kids. Even though my parents never established a relationship with me in this way, I was still able to learn what it meant so I could apply it to my life.
Take a look at this week’s journal. Write down your thoughts and reflect on how you feel when you're done!
Journal: Write five reasons why you're lovable.
If you can not think of five, that is quite alright, friend. Try to close your eyes and ask God why you are loved. He will give you all the answers you need.
“My mother was a survivor, and that is all she knew. Her relationship challenges and overall instability would eventually rub off on me. She loved me as much as she could, or as much as she knew how to. She didn't know how to give or receive my affection, and our relationship eventually withered away until we became tragic and complete strangers. As a survivor myself, this was an acceptable form of love. Together we would suffer many more years of abuse and displacement. The environment would change, but the circumstances always remained the same.” -Samantha Bray LaRue, Chapter One Rampart Street
“She was showing me what love was supposed to look like. I had been taught that love was conditional, but they were hell-bent on proving that it wasn't. They were teaching me to give myself more grace. I thought I caused the chaos around me, and it made me think I was unworthy of being treated with kindness. Neither of those things were true. “ -Samantha Bray LaRue, Chapter Five Rampart Street
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