SESSION OBJECTIVE:

1. Tell about the first time you had a crush on someone. How did you express your feelings? How did the other person react?

2. Identify a time when you strongly felt the love of God toward you. What was your reaction?

THE WORD

Read Luke 15:20–24, the portion of Jesus’s story where we observe the father’s over- the-top expression of love for his son.

1. Identify as many different signs of the father’s love as you can find in these verses.

2. What does the father’s reaction toward his son tell you about God’s attitude toward you when you repent and turn to him?

We experience the irresistible love of God in Jesus when we finally return home to our Father. The grace He offers to every one of us is something we can’t find anywhere else. It’s almost shocking. It’s overwhelming. It is continually amazing. And it is what we truly long for and were made to experience. As we awaken to God’s love in our lives, some of the choices that seemed impossible before gradually become possible. Trusting God through the ups and downs of life becomes possible. Becoming more like his Son, Jesus Christ, becomes possible and our deepest desire. And there’s more: Believing in His faithful care for us and those we love makes absolute sense, infusing our days with God’s peace. Knowing that not only does He love us but He loves everyone in the world just as deeply compels us to share the good news of Jesus with others. That’s the wonder of God’s deep love for you and me. It has the power to heal us, change us, energize our hopes and dreams, and motivate us to serve Him with our whole lives. So from this day forward, live boldly in His love. Never let doubt and discouragement take away what you know to be true!

THE LIFE

1. Tell about a way in which shame or guilt feelings have lingered in you even after you knew that you were forgiven and accepted by God. How has that leftover feeling of unworthiness affected your life?

2. If we have turned to God in repentance and received His acceptance, how can we help each other learn to accept our new identity as fully loved children of God?

3. Once we have accepted our identity as God’s children, what are some ways in which our lives can be different and more fulfilling?

Read the following passage from Scripture and underline one or more lines that mean the most to you.

“I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 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 3:14–1

What are the kinds of situations that trigger your doubts about God’s love for you?

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When those situations arise, what Bible verse could you use to remind yourself of God’s free gift of love to you?
1. ____________________________________
2. ____________________________________
3. ____________________________________
4. ____________________________________
5. ____________________________________

THROUGH SONG

Jesus Loves Me

Jesus loves me, this I know,
for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong;
they are weak, but he is strong

Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me he who died
heaven’s gate to open wide.
He will wash away my sin,
let his little child come in.

Jesus loves me, this I know,
as he loved so long ago,
taking children on his knee,
saying, “Let them come to me.”

THROUGH PRAYER

Pray the following prayer:
God, if You are real, make Yourself real to me.
Awaken in me the awareness
that I am Your unconditionally loved child

Thank God for his love, and ask him for the ability over time to gain a better sense of his love and a better sense of your identity in him by grace.