Session 4

Love Is Most Important

From Understanding and Applying The Bible

1 Corinthians 13:1-7 & 13

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 
                              •••
13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

You might not know...
This is the most quoted wedding ceremony scripture of all time, probably. Anyway you're likely to hear this at some time or another, and now you know it's from the Bible!

What does it say?
It's a definition of love and an explanation of love's importance.

What does it mean?
We can do so many ‘good’ things, but without loving people we are nothing but annoying, loud, and obnoxious people. We need love. Love has so many great characteristics. Love is perfect. Love lasts forever.

What does it mean to me? 
If I really care about sharing Jesus with people it is love that will make the message effective.