God's love for us is overwhelming! But that's not the whole story. As we receive God's love we are able to return that love to God and others.
Focus Scripture – Matthew 22:37-38HIDESHOW
37 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' [a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
Extended SummaryHIDESHOW
Beginning with the Great commandment (Matt. 22:37-38), Scott Boren reminded us that in addition to God’s scandalous love for us, there’s a role for us to play too. We are to return that love back to God and to others. Scott reminded us that if we view the Great Commandment as a contract it can feel like a burden rather than an invitation to dance the beautiful dance of life with God.
Scott contrasted two “rhythms” or ways of navigating the dance floor. One he called the “conformed rhythm” the other the “transformed rhythm”. The conformed rhythm consists of the patterns of this world (Romans 12:2). Some examples Scott offered were: working too much, being too busy, worrying too much, stress, and ignoring relationships.
The transformed rhythm consists of the following: renewing of the mind, an alternative pattern, a different dance, a vastly different dance partner (God!), a dance that fits love.
Life is about learning to dance to the transformed rhythm. But this takes practice! Scott gave lots of examples of ways we can practice dancing to the transformed rhythm. Here are some of them:
- Practicing the presence of God (could use Greg’s book Present Perfect for this)
- Listening to Scripture using the Lectio Divina exercises in the prayer journal
- Worshiping with your community
- Reflect on Scriptures that speak truth about who we are in Christ and reflect on those both as individuals and as a group
Practical Applications (homework)HIDESHOW
So far in the Scandalous Love series, we’ve been concentrating on the nature of the love that God has for all of us. But what does it mean to love God back? It’s one of the most important things that God asks of us, but what does it look like to return love to him? It’s definitely not about doing things out of obligation or because of rules, but there are certain habits that we can get into that position us to receive love from God and return it. For your homework this week, choose one of these:
- Read up on spiritual practices, and then apply what you learn. Here are some book suggestions you can look into:
The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard
Finding our Way Again by Brian McLaren
Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Hayley Barton - As we know from the other relationships in our lives, each of us has ways that we naturally tend to show love to others. Some people call these “love languages.” Your relationship with God is no different! Sit down and talk about your natural “love language” with someone you’re close to (could be a spouse, close friend or small group). Discuss how that may affect the way that you naturally show love to God. Now, think about ways to show love that do not come naturally to you. How do these adversely impact the ways that you return love to God?
- One of the best ways to show love to another is to spend time with them. Repeat the “imaginative prayer” exercise that Scott led us through during the service. Sit comfortably in a calm place where you won’t be interrupted. Reflect on the truth about who you are in Christ (God’s child, friend, workmanship, beloved, etc.). In your imagination, sit with God and express your love back to him.
Reflection QuestionsHIDESHOW
- What stood out to you most from this message and the supporting texts?
- Read the Great Commandment out loud. As a group reflect on how we tend to return love to God. Does the way we love God feel more like a contract or a covenant?
- Consider Scott’s distinction between the conformed rhythm and transformed rhythm. If you think of your relationship to God as a dance, does it feel more like a “conformed rhythm” or a “transformed rhythm” that you are dancing in? Why?
- What ways could we as a group practice dancing with God in the “transformed rhythm” of living life together?